Yesterday I interviewed Bill Lennon, owner of Image One and County Business Systems Inc. Lennon has run these businesses as is own for his entire professional career. As a former intern at Image One, I was curious as to Mr Lennon's outlook on business and the world of entrepreneurship. I asked him the following three questions and recorder his responses:
Q: What, in your own words, is an entrepreneur?
A; I think an entrepreneur is an independently motivated individual willing to take risks. They go out on their own.
Q: What skills do you think an entrepreneurship course should teach?
I actually just read a book on this called The E Myth. There are processes behind all businesses, its important to be trained and aware of these processes before you even consider a venture. Take me for example: I know the technical aspects of my business. I went to school for it. What I wasn't ready for were all the financials, the logistics. I knew my trade, but I had to find people to help me manage the other stuff. Its also important to realize that you'll need help. As much as you think you know, you won't know everything.
Whats the most important trait of an entrepreneur? The ability to take a "no". If you are the kind of person that enjoys doing the same thing every day, its not the route for you. If you like doing something different, being unsure about what's going on tomorrow, you need to have that adaptability too.
I found the final part of the second response to be that which spoke to me the most. Its a commonly repeated piece of wisdom, but to know your own weaknesses and to realize when to accept the help of others is certainly a trait of a strong leader. Ones own professional prowess is all well and good, but no one can handle all aspects of everything.
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