The trick is to figure out if you're ready to handle not only the thrills and chills of starting up, but the long-term challenges of keeping one step ahead of your customers' needs. The first one is passion. Of all the attributes, this is the only one I don't believe you can teach. If you have passion, it doesn't seem like work. I think another attribute is curiosity.
Curious people are much more creative.
Asking questions really triggers innovation, and as you know, not only in small business, but even in large corporations, innovation is key. Another interesting attribute is a high energy level. I interviewed about 27 entrepreneurs for this book, and almost everybody had very high energy levels and they all seemed to work out. I always thought I was crazy because every time I traveled in the early days before hotels had health clubs, I'd run around the parking lot at night, and people would look at me like I was a little bit crazy. But I'm convinced now that the better shape you're in, the better your mind works.