Eighty-five percent indicated that their faith and religion contributed to their business success, while 15 percent said there was little or no correlation. While many believe that entrepreneurs love the high profits they make because of their careers, 55 percent said the most fulfilling aspect of owning one's own business was the pleasure gained from the accomplishment of self-made goals. Only 9 percent said money was the most fulfilling part of being in business for themselves.

Twenty-one percent said they never could have imagined the level of success they have attained, while 54 percent said they were either very confident that they would be successful or had no doubt about the success of their businesses when they started.

Entrepreneurship, according to those who participated in the poll, does not mean all work and no play, nor does it necessarily mean sleepless nights. Fifty-six percent take two weeks or more annual vacation, while 9 percent take off for a month or more each year. Ninety-four percent get six hours of sleep or more each night. Eleven percent claim to get eight or more hours of sleep a night. It must be nice.

The practice of goal-setting is huge among these successful entrepreneurs, with 74 percent saying goal-setting is crucial or very important to their success and 22 percent indicating that it is important or somewhat important. Eighty percent said they review their goals regularly, while 15 percent review their goals daily.

Future columns will explore the findings of the survey related to business funding as well as the economic background of those surveyed.

---

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