⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

6 Essential Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs Are you ready to take the plunge and run a franchise business?

By Rick Bisio

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As a franchise coach, I speak with people on a daily basis who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs. What surprises many people is that I never start by discussing available franchise opportunities.

Instead of leading with "Which franchise are you interested in exploring," I ask questions like "Why do you want to become a business owner?" and "Why do you think business ownership is the best path for you at this time in your life?"

This is important for any franchise consultant, franchise-development executive or prospective franchisee because a lot of valuable time and money can be wasted if a prospect does not consider his or her personal needs, wants and motivations. Just because a prospective franchisee has the finances and experiences necessary to buy into a franchise doesn't necessarily mean he or she should.

So before exploring specific franchise opportunities, aspiring entrepreneurs should be sure they possess the following six essential traits:

Related: There's Lots of Free Help for Choosing and Funding the Right Franchise Opportunity

Have a clear vision for the business

A clear vision is the foundation of a smart owner's entrepreneurial game plan and ensures that he or she stays on track even when the inevitable tough challenges arise. As I point out in my book The Franchisee Workbook, owners need to develop a personal vision if they don't already have one.

Communicate goals and motivate others

Successful owners surround themselves with people whom they trust to criticize their ideas, contribute to their vision and generate results. Their willingness to include employees and other influencers in business discussions and decisions enables them to recruit and retain motivated workers for the mission.

Set timetables

Much as President John F. Kennedy outlined a goal to put a person on the moon by the end of a decade, business owners must be similarly motivated to set deadlines and hold everyone accountable in order to accomplish big goals. Good business owners know that time not money is their most precious asset.

Related: The Dirty Little Secrets Lurking in Your Franchise Contract

View setbacks as opportunities for improvement

A setback represents a step toward a goal not a reason or excuse to give up. Every setback creates the chance to learn and improve. Business owners should embrace each tough day as a learning opportunity.

Stand apart from the crowd

Strong leaders know that they will not receive unanimous support for all decisions. There will be naysayers, people who try to pull them down and those who think they're crazy. Quality entrepreneurs listen to all opinions, weigh each idea based on experience and logic and then confidently make their choice.

Focus on continual learning

Successful owners view every business experience as a lesson. The best entrepreneurs are lifelong learners and use past experiences to build businesses not resumes. No matter how long an entrepreneur has run a business, new ways for improvement always emerge. The best owners never stop trying to better their product or service.

Related: Does the Franchise Industry Have a Turnover Problem?

Rick Bisio

Author and Franchise Coach

Rick Bisio is the Amazon-bestselling author of The Educated Franchisee, a leading franchise coach with FranChoice, the co-host of Rick Bisio's Franchise Focus, and the creator of the FDD Exchange and the Franchise Glossary. Since becoming a franchise coach in 2002, Bisio has assisted thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide explore the dream of business ownership. Prior to joining FranChoice, he was the director of international development at AFC Enterprises, the parent company of Popeye's Chicken, Church's Chicken, Seattle's Best Coffee and Cinnabon, establishing locations in more than 30 countries.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

Costco CFO Reveals Uncertain Fate of $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

CFO Richard Galanti reveals that the price will stay the same — but only "for a while."

Business News

The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

A new report shows that vending machines are a popular investment — and the industry is set to grow up to $3 billion by 2031.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.