The more experience the better. Beyond the obvious need to be able provide the particular product of service of the business, other key skills include personal selling, accounting, basic administration, and managing people. The opportunities available to the high school graduate are far fewer than those available to the college graduate with high level skills. The characteristics listed above are based on a number of surveys and describe the experiential characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. After twenty -plus years of working with small business owners, I also believe that there are five key personality traits which are equally important to entrepreneurial success.
Successful entrepreneurs are proactive.
They seek out, evaluate, and act on professional advice. They are constantly looking for ways to improve their operations. They are good planners and organizers. The business world is too complex for the sloppy or disorganized to succeed for any length of time. The myth of the entrepreneur flying by the seat of his pants is just that, a myth.