Choosing to begin a new business venture by becoming a healthcare entrepreneur is not a decision that most people make lightly. At times, the economy in the United States and globally has made it difficult for most families to depend on a two-income household, let alone a single income, or an income that is based on a new business. However, many people choose to become entrepreneurs because long-term reliance on a single employer often leaves them struggling, underemployed, unemployed, or denied the creativity and “voice” that “feeds their soul.” Those who have been lucky enough to remain employed may face pay cuts, reductions in benefits, toxic work environments, and longer hours in addition to the unsettling feeling that they may lose their jobs at any moment (Palmer, 2014a).
As a result of the conditions in the national and global economy, and the instability it may bring, many people choose to become healthcare entrepreneurs because they want to:
- Live and work “from the heart”
- Find a way to work with their gifts of caring and compassion
- Find a way to express their passion and “live on purpose”
- Create a successful business that provides the potential for greater financial rewards than those provided by a traditional job
- Create a way to live and work that allows them to express their most important core values
- Explore their own health and well-being more fully
Becoming a successful business owner requires commitment to your goals and vision of your endeavor. No matter what business you decide to launch, from a small coaching business to a multi-million dollar healthcare organization, there are several traits shared by those who are successful as entrepreneurs. The following are some of the most common traits.