'Born' or 'made,' entrepreneurs share key traits

Acceptance of responsibility. "Entrepreneurs are risk takers, willing to roll the dice with their money or reputation on the line in support of an idea or enterprise. They willingly assume responsibility for the success or failure of a venture and are answerable for all its facets." (Victor Kiam, Remington shavers)

Reward orientation. "The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it and exploits it as an opportunity." (Peter F. Drucker, writer, teacher and business consultant)

Optimism. "An optimist is someone who goes after Moby Dick in a row boat and takes the tartar sauce with him." (Zig Ziglar, motivational author and speaker)

Orientation to excellence. "Good enough never is." (Debbi Fields, entrepreneur)

Organization. "The entrepreneur is not really interested in doing the work; he is interested in creating the way the company operates. In that regard, the entrepreneur is an inventor. He or she loves to invent but does not love to manufacture or sell or distribute what he or she invents." (Michael Gerber, author and entrepreneur)

Profit orientation. "The happiest time in a man's life is when he is in the red hot pursuit of a dollar with a reasonable prospect of overtaking it." (Josh Billings, author and humorist)

Or perhaps you prefer the perspective of Mason Cooley, a New York English professor known for his wit and wisdom. "Entrepreneurship," said Cooley, "is the last refuge of the trouble-making individual."

Regardless of whether entrepreneurs themselves are born or made.

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Joseph Walker is affiliated with the BYU Center for Entrepreneurship. He can be reached via e-mail at cfe@byu.edu.