Our Favorite Reader Answers to Our National Small Business Week Questions Our social media fans sound off on their favorite entrepreneurs and what entrepreneurship means to them.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
During National Small Business Week (May 1 to 7), the U.S. Small Business Administration highlighted the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small-business owners and others from around the country.
We asked a question regarding entrepreneurs and small businesses on social media each day of last week. Here are some of our favorite responses.
Are you born an entrepreneur or can it be learned?
Gary Searle: I think you're born with the traits to be an entrepreneur but you can learn the skills to be a successful business person.
Thomas Kolodziejski Jr.: Most people are terrified of the idea of working for themselves. Being an entrepreneur takes something truly special that just can't be learned.
.@Entrepreneur the skill sets can be learned, but the desire to create something new is innate, whether it manifests early, or later on.
— Writtenright (@writtEnright_VI) May 2, 2016
@Entrepreneur I believe it can be learned. But it's easier for those born with ambitious personalities.
— Steph Design (@spetersdesigns) May 2, 2016
Which entrepreneur do you look up to the most?
Nick Holmes: Branden Hampton in a heart beat. I've been watching him do his thing for years, humble, real human. Keep it going dude! Thanks for the inspiration.
Shohan Kabir: Tony Hsieh, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs
@Entrepreneur To me, @marcuslemonis and @mcuban are the holy grail of real entrepreneurship. Cool ?Clever & Smart, Seriously inspirational.
— Lila de Ca (@liladeca) May 3, 2016
@Entrepreneur I Look up to @TheSharkDaymond he's from queens and it just let's me know that if he could make it so can I. #Queens
— ESH (@Eshhomedecor) May 3, 2016
@Entrepreneur Great respect for @marcuslemonis @garyvee @TheSharkDaymond and @expa for their support.
— Jenther Gabmar (@FigVilleUSA) May 3, 2016
What does entrepreneurship mean to you?
Brianna Leigh Enders: Entrepreneurship, to me, means fully dedicating yourself to your venture and doing everything in your power to execute your vision.
Saroj Kala Magar: For me an entrepreneur is one who utilizes all available resources or creates his own to create a better society. Bigger the better.
Benjamin Vogt: Being an entrepreneur is a lot like being a writer: you have to enjoy being alone, motivating yourself, understanding your limits and how to -- when necessary -- push through or ignore your limits in the hope you'll make a breakthrough even when you fail spectacularly. There's no cheering section, only voices of doubt and ecstasy, loss and promise, all in equal measure. Every day doing what you love, what you feel purpose-driven to do, is a day no one can ever take away from you.
@Entrepreneur waking up to the joy of making your visions into real business - every day!
— Olavur Gregersen (@OlavurG) May 6, 2016
Is there a difference between a small-business owner and an entrepreneur?
AnnMarie Peña: Entrepreneurs are constantly looking for more ways to generate income. They are the ones creating wealth and an empire, not just settling on being well off. They take more risks to generate multiple streams of income. Small-business owners are settling for what they are currently doing and not seeking more. They've peaked in their success.
Kirsten Rees: Small-business owners usually focus on working in their business, whereas entrepreneurs are working ON their business and multiple income streams!
@Entrepreneur yes! I have a business, enjoy running a business, & work with entrepreneurs - one doesn't entail the other, but all work hard.
— Donna O'Toole (@comms_director) May 5, 2016
If you could work with anyone, who would it be?
Carrie Stiles: Sir Richard Branson
Shaba Shams: Elon Musk
@Entrepreneur if I could work with anyone it'd be @Oprah ?
— Krystal Lynn Hedrick (@KrystalHedrick) May 6, 2016
Here all the different places you can follow Entrepreneur on social media.@Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg
— Mohammad (@thmohds) May 6, 2016