Have you ever thought, 'I wish someone made a thing that could do that'? An entrepreneur is a person who has that same thought — and then actually tries to do something about it, by turning their idea into a business.
What is an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur notices a problem — something that annoys people, or something they wish existed — and comes up with an idea to fix it. Then, instead of just talking about the idea, they take a risk and actually try it, even though they cannot be completely sure it will work.
Courage and problem-solving
Starting something new takes courage, because it might not work first time. Good entrepreneurs are not afraid to try, and if their first idea does not go perfectly, they learn from it and try again, a little better each time.
Put these steps of turning an idea into a business in order:
- Notice a problem that people have
- Think of an idea that could solve it
- Try making a small version and test it
- Learn from what happens and improve it
- Sell the improved idea to more people
From an idea to a business, step by step
| Step | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| 1. Notice a problem | Something that annoys people, or something you wish existed |
| 2. Think of an idea | A way to fix that problem |
| 3. Actually try it | This is the step that makes someone an entrepreneur, instead of just a person with an idea |
Which of these are really taking the idea forward?
- Making one and testing it on a friend
- Working out what it would cost
- Asking people if they would buy it
- Thinking about it in bed each night
- Telling one person, then forgetting it
- Waiting for someone else to do it first