Top 5 Much-Talked But Not-True Myths About Entrepreneurs In India

Entrepreneurship is only brooding in India and because of its ‘too-good-to-be-true’ nature, there are plenty of not-true myths circulating around the surface. Many aspiring business makers back off because of the negative halla-boo that encompasses the fruitful arena of entrepreneurship and business-making.

So, it’s about time that the air should be cleared off and for good!

Here are the top 5 of those much-talked but not-true myths about entrepreneurs in India:

Myth #1: Entrepreneurs are born, not made

This is the same as saying that you can’t teach entrepreneurship. According to management guru Peter Drucker, entrepreneurship is a discipline that can be learned. Passion and persistence may be in your genes, but it takes work to develop the skills that entrepreneurs have.

Myth #2: It takes a lot of money to start a business

Not true! In fact, every year Inc magazine profiles businesses that have started on $1,000 or less. And among Inc’s annual list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies, there is no direct relationship between the amount of start-up capital invested and ultimate business success.

Myth #3: You need a business plan to succeed

Sure, investors and lenders want to see a business plan before handing you a wad of cash, but if you don’t need these resources at startup, you may be able to launch your business based on the results of a feasibility analysis and then get some traction with customers. Some Internet entrepreneurs, like Richard Rosenblatt of Demand Media, know how to get a website up and making money within a couple weeks. These savvy entrepreneurs know that testing the market is more important than spending the time to write a business plan.

Myth #4: Entrepreneurs are in it for the money

Okay, some entrepreneurs do think that making money is what it’s all about, but the #1 reason that most entrepreneurs start businesses is independence- the ability to create something they can call their own instead of working for someone else. Entrepreneurs want to control their destiny.

Myth #5: You have to be young and restless to be an entrepreneur

You definitely do not have to be young to be a successful entrepreneur. In fact, a Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report found that the number of older adults who are self-employed outweighs that of young adults. Entrepreneurship is for all ages!