Over the past 20 years I have worked with a number of these interesting people and have observed some common characteristics. Successful entrepreneurs are persistent and determined. Rejection does not deter them. Even failure will not make them give up.
Many entrepreneurs go bankrupt before they eventually succeed.
Bob Natoli went to 32 banks with a business plan before one would give him a start-up loan. They believe in themselves and this confidence gives them a different view toward risk than most people. Entrepreneurs take big risks but they don't take foolish risks. Some years ago I did a study testing the entrepreneurial characteristics of prison inmates. My hypothesis was that, since inmates were obvious risk takers, they would also be good entrepreneurs.