That could just be a front they put on, the truth is you’re (I’m) more likely to take advice and services from someone who seems to be wanting to benefit YOU than get just something for themselves. It’s a classic sales technique. So I’m not really sure I buy what you’re saying about your passion.

I used to think that entrepreneurship was all about me. That was before I became a successful entrepreneur.

Obviously businesses must solve problems profitably, and personal interests must be aligned, at least economically, with customer interests. Starting and running a business is tough, hard work–no Pollyanna picnic. Rest assured I am not confusing customer centricity with altruism.

The views expressed in “It’s Not About You” are based not only on interviews with dozens of successful entrepreneurs, most of whom sold companies for multimillion dollar sums, but on my own experiences as a successful company seller (preceded by years of blunders, failures, and more modest successes). Formal doctoral study of international entrepreneurship over the past year has also shaped my thinking, though less so than actual experience (there’s an interesting new book out called “The Illusions of Entrepreneurship” that readers of this post might find interesting).

So thanks, J.D., for letting me share my thoughts. Looking forward to more discussion of entrepreneurship on GRS!

Tim Clark

But it is also about money. Interestingly, one’s reasons for obtaining money can also be just as varied as the reasons for being an entrepreneur. Some want to obtain money for their own hedonistic reasons, while others see it as a means to benefit the people and relationships, such as family, which are most important in their lives.

- Tabs

Regardless of your reason, I would bet that most people have that whole money thing on the back of their minds at all times.

Forget this business stuff. I am going to go live in the woods and feed off of nature. No money. No transactions. No investing. No trading. No customer service. No people! Haha.

- Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien

That said, an entrepreneur surely needs other things on the path to success. A basic business model, marketing plan, skills specific to the business, etc.

But, you need to solve someone elses pain. That’s what will make you a good business.

Like the CDBaby example. The “pain” that was solved, was how indies would produce CDs. It wasn’t just a pain for Derek, it was a pain for others too.

I think it’s great that those guys succeeded and all, don’t get me wrong. However, I wonder how many of these guys sought a pay cut when things were going well. After all it’s not about them right? Lol.

I wonder if any of you are familiar with T.J. Rodgers, founder and CEO of Cypress Semiconductor. I think he’s got the right idea.

What was the author’s specific gripe about Microsoft’s business practices? Just curious.

Or having a government-sponsored monopoly.

Businesses don’t succeed because they are about “you helping other people to achieve their goals.” That is as much b.s. as I have ever heard and a oversimplification on the wrong point. They are about fulfilling a need and providing value where there was none before for a profit to your business and theirs.