They Just Can’t Stop Themselves Once exotic, serial entrepreneurs are everywhere these days. From their tolerance for failure to their creative use of resources to their sense of when to leave, they have a lot to teach more traditional company owners. From: Inc. Magazine, March 2005 | By: Stephanie Clifford Ron Berger lives by routine. Every morning at 5:30, he climbs on his Stairmaster for 45 minutes and reads business magazines through rimless glasses. Then he dons a dark suit and patterned tie, eats low-carb cereal with blueberries (or splurges on an Egg McMuffin without the muffin), and drives his midpriced Mercedes to the office by 7:30. He leaves 11 hours later, eats a South Beach-approved dinner, and watches CNN until his 11 o’clock bedtime. Thus it’s a surprise to discover this mild Oregonian is a consummate risk taker, a serial entrepreneur who’s started five companies, one after another. The businesses have ranged from a camera retailer that grew to 54 stores but then went bankrupt to a company that managed the system by which video stores pay fees to movie studios. He took that company public. Another one of his businesses was acquired. His current venture, Figaro’s, which Berger calls a “take-and-bake pizza” concept, had system wide revenue of $24 million last year. So this measured man with his measured days flirts with failure and financial exposure about as often as most people buy a new car. And he’s not alone. Once a novelty, serial entrepreneurs are moving into the mainstream.
For the entire article go to Inc.com
There are gamblers and then there are entrepreneurs. Both are risk takers. One may spend time in the casino and the other may be building businesses. Given the choice, Corra would suggest the one who likes to build businesses. Because these are the people who can build upon yours, either by developing new channels are growing your core.
Not all entrepreneurs come without baggage of sorts. By nature, they are the risk takers and as such may have hit a few speed bumps in the past. Some of the those speed bumps may have been bumpier than others. There may be bankruptcies, liens and judgments or credit troubles. There may even be a prison record. It happens.
It is often wise to recruit someone with entrepreneurial spirit to help grow your business. It may be wise to give that person his head. But first run a background check and look at his past history. You may even wish to run the Comprehensive Business Partner Report to get a fuller picture of his material wealth and a variety of civil issues.
Be wise and spend the few bucks to see if they really are who they say they are. Check them out before you hire.
