| This qualitative grounded theory study sought to enhance our understanding of the process by which people become entrepreneurs. Narrative data that described pathways to successful entrepreneurship led to the development of a preliminary theory which nascent entrepreneurs may use as a guide for their own business ventures. The data, based on the lives of eight successful entrepreneurs in a designated New England city, suggest two factors that contributed to their success: early-life exposure to entrepreneurial activities and certain shared personality characteristics. The entrepreneur-prone personality characteristics presented in this study were as follows: high internal locus of control, high levels of motivation and optimism, and high levels of persistence. Advice for nascent entrepreneurs provided by study participants presented advice in two categories: advice for working with people and advice for building the business. Advice given for working with people included: put people first, hire motivated who can support and motivate others, and support communication with the both the customer and employees. Advice for building the business included: knowing your own strengths and weaknesses, understand the basic tenants of owning a business, and continue to train and learn skills which will promote business success. |
