| This study investigated personal and business background, personality, relationship and work values, and nine categories of tasks to determine their necessity during the start-up stage of small business entrepreneurship. Data were also collected on current business status as a further means for comparing entrepreneurs who participated in the study.;A review of literature determined representative entrepreneurial background variables, values, and start-up tasks emphasized by schools and training organizations. Five expert entrepreneurs participated in a card sort to eliminate, refine, or augment start-up tasks identified in the literature. Results from the literature review and card sort were used to develop four surveys. Fifty-two members of the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) and thirty-one graduates of the Detroit Self Employment Project (DSEP) completed the surveys.;T-tests and Chi Square revealed both similarities and differences between these entrepreneurs. Both groups held similar values. Significant differences existed in background characteristics. Ninety-four start-up tasks were evaluated by the two groups. The DSEP group generally designated more tasks "absolutely necessary" than the MRA group. In total, fifteen tasks were selected as absolutely necessary during start-up by both the MRA and DSEP groups.;Institutions preparing future entrepreneurs should compare task masteries taught with those identified in this study. Emphasis should be placed on those tasks identified as "absolutely necessary" during start-up. Task masteries not selected as "absolutely necessary" should be eliminated from classes which prepare entrepreneurs only for start-up. These tasks may be useful for other stages. |
