The hit ABC reality television show Shark Tank continues to be one of the highest rated shows on television today. The show’s panel typically consists of its recurring millionaire and billionaire venture capitalists: Kevin O’Leary, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban with appearance by others with similar backgrounds and experience.

The premise of the show is for these venture capitalists being presented with new ideas, inventions, products and services from individuals and partners that are seeking investments. The people that enter the “Tank” are given the chance to present these VCs, or “Sharks” as they are known on the show, with an opportunity to invest in their companies.

Many of the people who walk into the “Tank” are told by the Sharks that their business is not a business and that they are not even entrepreneurs. Some are dumbfounded when they hear this because they believe that they are serious entrepreneurs — not just another businessperson looking to make a buck.

So, what differentiates an entrepreneur from a businessperson? Therein lies the basis of our Question of the Week but let’s set some groundwork that possibly could help answer the question.

An entrepreneur is defined as, “a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.” A businessperson is defined as, “a man or woman who works in business or commerce, especially at an executive level.” Although the two seem closely related, they actually differ on a major level. In order to understand this concept, we’ll have to use the Sharks themselves as examples.

Kevin O’Leary earned his way to fame and fortune by building his educational software company SoftKey, right out of college. As his empire grew, he eventually acquired The Learning Company for over $600 million — taking the name as well. Eventually, O’Leary sold his business to a company called Mattel for $3.8 billion in a stock swap. In 2003, O’Leary moved on to his next venture, Storage Now, which was later acquired for $110 million.

O’Leary now sits on several boards and operates as an advisor to many companies. O’Leary eventually made his way to the Shark Tank after the success of his other show Dragon’s Den, which Shark Tank is modeled after. O’Leary is known as “Mr. Wonderful” on the show for his outlandish and often brutal honesty — as he so puts. He approaches his investment decisions with the cold hard truth that he believes some ideas are just not meant to be businesses.

Robert Herjavec got his start by building up his Internet security empire, BRAK Systems, until he eventually sold it to AT&T Canada in 2000. After an early retirement, Herjavec found his way back to the Internet security world when he founded The Herjavec Group in 2003, where he currently operates as the CEO. Herjavec also started out on Dragon’s Den with O’Leary and now holds a recurring spot on Shark Tank. Herjavec appears to be more optimistic than the other “Sharks”, with more of a sensitive side. Maybe it’s the fact that his working-class father immigrated to America in pursuit of the “American Dream” and taught him that hard work pays off — which he’s used as the model for his success.

Daymond John, who is most famously known for his start-up company FUBU, which he grew with the help of celebrity endorsement and a mortgage from his mother’s house. John built FUBU into the global empire it is today, with global sales at over six billion to date. Although he is known to be a more reserved Shark, taking careful consideration before jumping on a deal, John is known to have a compassionate side and one that has been seen before on Shark Tank.

Barbara Corcoran built her empire with nothing more than a mere $1,000 loan that she used to start her real estate company The Corcoran Group — which she co-founded. In 2001, Corcoran sold her company to NRT Incorporated for $66 million. Corcoran is responsible for pioneering many revolutionary techniques that changed the real estate market. Corcoran is a wild one — the fun-loving Shark, who astounds the others with her business decisions but somehow always proves that she still has her business swagger.

Lori Greiner began her career with the invention of a revolutionary jewelry box that was capable of holding over 100 earrings. Greiner is now known as the “Queen of QVC”, since she has helped launch hundreds of products via the network and holds over 120 U.S. and international patents. She is also the president and CEO of the company For Your Ease Only. Greiner is a savvy investor who has helped grow hundreds of companies. She is a force to be reckoned with — despite her physical appearance she is not to be underestimated.

Mark Cuban, the richest of the Sharks, made his billions despite some claims that were ultimately defeated in court, with the start of his company MicroSolutions in the 1980’s. In 1990, Cuban sold his company for $6 million. After that, Cuban moved on to his next venture AudioNet, which became Broadcast.com and eventually sold to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion. Cuban is probably the deadliest of the Sharks, with the biggest bite. He’s known for his ruthless execution and ability to swoop in at any moment and steal a deal right from another Shark’s mouth. Although this is true, Cuban has been known to drop out of the race if he feels he can’t contribute more than another Shark.

As far as the term “entrepreneur” is concerned, assuming that it’s not as subjective an idea, but more literal: Mark, Kevin and Robert seem to fit this definition best and more so than Barbara, Lori and Daymond. The reason for this is due to the fact that these individuals have started their companies, sold them and started new ones, continuing this trend indefinitely. Daymond is sort of in the middle since his claim to fame is mostly FUBU. Barbara and Lori predominantly gained success from one business, which generated most of their wealth, later allowing them to invest in future companies.

At some point in their lives I believe that all of these Sharks were full-time entrepreneurs but as time progressed and success achieved, Barbara and Lori, and to some extent, John actually “switched” positions and became businesspeople, just managing their day to day operations, investing in some other companies, but letting others follow through on the vision, actually passing the entrepreneurial torch on to the next eager person, or better stated, igniting the entrepreneurial torch for others.

I don’t believe it could be argued that an entrepreneur is a businessperson. But I do believe it can’t be argued that not all businesspeople are entrepreneurs. So, what differentiates an entrepreneur from a businessperson?

As always, I look forward to your response. I appreciate all comments and perspective. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Have a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

An obvious answer to the question of how to stimulate local economies is job creation, but that’s only a fraction of the answer. Steady growth of local business improves communities as well as the overall economies and ecosystem of these communities – small cities, college towns, rural markets, and essentially, areas beyond larger cities and the first ring of suburbs.

If there was a silver lining in the pandemic, it’s the realization that work could be efficiently and effectively performed away from the office. Mind you, I’m not a big proponent of all work being performed remotely, but the flexibility of a hybrid work structure would enable individuals and families to live further away from urban areas and close suburbs. It provides opportunity to reside 50-80 miles or more away from the office as commuting would be limited to a couple of days a week. Thus, many, if not most wouldn’t mind a longer commute if it wasn’t required every day.

As well, college towns like Auburn, Alabama and College Station, Texas, always attractive to its alumni and former students, but lacking opportunities for a wide range of careers beyond those at or related to the local university. Yet, being able to live there was a consideration, but really not much of an option. But the dream remained.

Even with the flexibility to live further away from the ‘big’ city and crowded suburbs, how does a small town attract individuals and families to their area? There must be amenities. There must be conveniences they’ve grown accustomed to. There must be good schools for their children. There must be restaurants and movie theaters. And the list goes on.

Unfortunately, many small towns have seen better days, but a renaissance of sorts has started. City and county economic development departments are extremely busy looking for ways to showcase their local market. Sure, a few may become a destination such as what’s going on in Johnson City, Texas as a growing Texas wine market.

But truly, what is sustainable for towns over the long-term? How do they achieve balance as opposed to having all their eggs in one basket? The answer is local entrepreneurship.

Businesses move their headquarters there or open a branch in the region. This attracts executives who want to work for these companies. It’s a ripple effect that makes local entrepreneurial growth the gift that keeps on giving. Said Daniel Isenberg, founding executive director of the Babson Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Platform, Associate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, “There is not one greatest impact these programs create; that’s what makes it so self-sustaining and a true ecosystem: it is self-organizing.”

Ultimately, local entrepreneurship has great potential as an economic development strategy for rural communities with or without stagnating or declining economies. A thriving local economy can substantially alter a city’s image, making it a more attractive place to work and to live. Local entrepreneurship also stimulates a sense of community. Think back to Main Street of yesteryear where neighbors and friends often see each other in the local grocery store or cafe. Small business owners all knew each other, often referring business to each. Local sports teams were sponsored by local business owners.

Similar to Main Street was the town square. Often Main Street ran into the town square but in some small cities, town sqaure was the town with businesses surrounding a common area for meetings, events, and relaxation in a park-like setting. It was the center of the community. A common place for all but one that was supported by local business owners, and entrepreneurs of the day. The same can hold true today. Actually, it must hold true for tomorrow.

Business owners and entrepreneurs are not the only players responsible for building up the economy. “If everyone doesn’t participate in the growth, then it will not spread and take root,” said Isenberg. “There is one entrepreneur on the stage but there is also a cast of characters, orchestra pit, and the audience. Without those ecosystem stakeholders, change will not be successful.”

Isenberg has witnessed firsthand how big influencers are coming around, realizing they must invest in growth for the greater benefit of not just business, but of the entire ecosystem of a region and of themselves. Change takes a village, but once it has taken a hold of a region, growth will be substantial and impactful.

Shared from CameoNetwork.org… A shift is needed to move from old strategies that may have worked for a different economy to a new innovative, creative and flexible method that will work for today’s economy – strategies that are based on creating jobs locally and based on building a Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.  This will create a strong and diversified infrastructure of many small, locally owned businesses that will be a major source of job creation, economic stability, and community success in the new economic reality.

“Connected economies have higher median incomes, lower-income volatility, more high-wage service jobs, lower median ages, higher population growth, and greater educational attainment than their isolated peers.” – “The Challenges and Opportunities of Running a Small Business in Rural America,” John Lettieri, Economic Innovation Group

There’s a lot of work to do but I believe small town USA will be the driving force behind recovery for our great country. Resources must be committed to assisting current and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. A return to Main Street is inevitable. It’s already begun. But it must be stimulated further, proactively. The time is now.

Today’s Entrepreneurs. Are you one of them?

The world around us has become so noisy that it’s easy to not hear opportunity knocking. In the past, opportunity presented itself in only a few ways… a job offer, a referral, an ad in the paper. Business was regimented… 9 to 5, straight forward processes, slow to change, staying inside the box.

Well, technology along with our lost feeling of security, job and other has provided us opportunity and reason that we must keep our eyes open, explore beyond our comfort zones and maintain an open mind to create things of value, to control our own destiny, to diversify our income, to take calculated risk, to think and act outside the box (of complacency, fear and procrastination).

We’re in an environment where the visionaries continue to create the playing field but it will only be doers who will win… the ones will act swiftly, yet deliberately – often throwing caution to the wind, caring little about what others think of them and their decisions, maintaining a laser-focus to succeed. Those doers are today’s entrepreneurs.

Have a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

We often hear about entrepreneurs being incessant about working long hours, never taking a day off, missing family functions, and essentially not having lives outside their own minds, and their work. Many have asked me if all of that is true? Well, for the most part it’s not true. Yet, there is some truth. Sure, some of it is myth as people just love superheroes and the stories about their seemingly superpowers including being able to function on little to no sleep.

Well, let’s dispel right now that entrepreneurs are anything more than human. Let’s dispel the myths that they can function without sleep, without rest, without knowing when to shut down for a day or two. But what we can do is learn from what makes them successful by ensuring sure they have the freedom and flexibility to do what they want to do, when they want to do it. It’s all about being positioned to have choices.

Award-wining author and entrepreneur, Richie Norton says it best, “Entrepreneurs don’t have weekends or birthdays or holidays. Every day is my weekend, my birthday, my holiday. OR every day is my workday. Mostly it’s a choice.”

Strategic Coach is one of the world’s leading organizations focused on entrepreneurial success. Within their resource section of its website is a blog post, Putting the Focus on Freedom. Of all the information about entrepreneurship that I have researched and read over the years, the opening question and statement in this post has become, in my mind the foundation of entrepreneurship to me:

“Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur? For most entrepreneurs, the answer is freedom. They wanted more freedom of time, money, relationship, and purpose when they took the leap to starting their own business.”

Another great organization focused on entrepreneurial success is The Lonely Entrepreneur. What I love about this organization and the writings of its founder, Michael Dermer is the reality of entrepreneurship and the inner workings of an entrepreneur’s mind.

There’s an article on The Lonely Entrepreneur website that always comes to my mind as a holiday weekend is in sight, What is an Entrepreneur? Dealing with the Holidays. This particular statement is embedded in my mind:

“As entrepreneurs, we have enough stress throughout the year trying to win customers, bring on employees, raise money and sign deals with vendors. We may have enjoyed, or even taken advantage of these breaks in our “past lives,” but once you become an entrepreneur, we can’t understand how this ever made sense. Most of us also don’t understand how the world could be so insensitive to our efforts by taking time off when we need to get shit done.” 

I highly value both organizations and certainly, I respect both Michael Dermer and Strategic Coach founder, Dan Sullivan. I know that both strive to help entrepreneurs succeed. Both have approaches that make sense. Both speak and teach from personal experience and long distinguished careers of helping others succeed – thousands upon thousands! Yet, each comes from a different angle, so to speak. But I do appreciate that!

It truly has been a blessing and a privilege to have been exposed to both organizations. I have learned so much, and yet, have so much more to learn so I’m extremely grateful to see both founders’ continued efforts and commitment to entrepreneurial success. For me, it helps me balance perspective in my own work, and balance in my personal life.

Freedom. Choice. Balance.

Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

Choice is defined as an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.

Balance is defined as a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.

Do you see where I’m headed with this? Are you wondering, what does freedom, choice and balance have to do with entrepreneurs and holidays, the basis and title of this article? To some it may mean nothing. To others, as it does to me, it speaks volumes. But what it means to you is the correct answer.

Have a great day (and weekend). Make it happen. Make it count!

I recently watched the movie, “Rounders” for what was probably the 100th time I’ve done so. If you’re not aware of the movie, it’s basically about the dark side of underground high-stakes poker. Movies like this also seem to make a correlation to business for me. For instance, the main character, Michael McDermott says, “Why do you think the same five guys make it to the final table of the World Series of Poker EVERY YEAR? What, are they the luckiest guys in Las Vegas?”

That makes me think of the same entrepreneurs that start one business after another, and all succeed. Do you think that’s luck? Hell, no! It’s knowing when to take a calculated risk, understanding the odds, hedging bets when necessary, being patient, exploring opportunities to increase your bankroll and knowing when to take a competitor head-on. It really is a mindset… But we must always remember, you can’t lose what you don’t put in the middle. [pause] But you can’t win much either.

What can entrepreneurs learn from playing poker?

Poker can be seen as a leisurely game by most people. It may be looked at as a viable way to relax and unwind after a week of decision making, handling issues, and addressing challenges. Essentially a pause from life. On the flip side, there are individuals earning a living by playing poker, leading an independent lifestyle and building a secure financial future.

Whether a friendly neighborhood poker game or one that takes place down at the local casino, there is no doubt, poker is a game of skill. There’s a lot that can be learned from this all too familiar game.

Below are nine skills from an article I’ve read in Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. These skills help poker players win at the poker table but also good for individuals to grow professionally, to improve their analytical skills, to help address stressful situations, and ultimately to win, maybe win big, at the game of business.

1. It starts inside your head 

Poker is a mind-sport and so is business. It is all about the moves you make, the strategy you take, and who you decide to play against. Your mental conditioning must be top-notch, and you must be prepared to take on any challenge. Unless your mind is in the right place, your game will suffer.

2. Being process-oriented, not result-oriented

Captain Picard from Star trek said that “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose.” You can play a hand of poker perfectly and not come out on top, just like you can do everything right with your company/business and still not hit the goals you were after. But this problem is short-term. It’s all about getting your fundamentals right and if you don’t succeed, try again. In the long run, making the right decisions is what will make you a winner. Reckless decisions might help you rise, but they won’t keep you on top. Sensibility will always conquer luck.

3. Reading your competitors

At the poker table anticipating the affinity of your competitors toward risks will help you decide the best moves to make. Additionally, knowing their strengths and weaknesses will take you a long way and help counter them effectively. Similarly in business, you need to do your due diligence to understand your competition, and only then can you stay one step ahead of them.

4. Factor in every scenario

Poker is unpredictable, and so is business. When making a move, you need to factor in every possible eventuality, most importantly the worst case, and then act accordingly. 

5. Folding your aces

Aces are the best possible hole cards you can get in poker, but as the game goes on, you may realize you don’t have the best hand overall because of the cards that open. Similarly, you might have the best product in the market, but unless conditions are conducive, it might not reach the heights it merits. It’s important to not get disheartened and understand that these things happen.

6. The pressure is for cookers

When the stakes are high is when you can win the biggest. Not letting the pressure get to you is the name of the game.

7. Bankroll Management is key

If your total bankroll is low, you don’t go play a High-Roller game with a high buy-in. It is important to be financially sensible.  

8. Never chase losses 

When you lose multiple hands in a row, you might be tempted to play just because you want to recover your loss or reputation. This line of thinking will impede judgment and might turn out to be harmful. Make every move at its own merit and never because of earlier results.

9. Most importantly, you must do it responsibly

Being cognizant of your own capabilities is of utmost importance, both in poker and in business. What are the stakes you choose to play at? How much do you invest? How much time do you put into it? One of the most important things to remember is also that an excess of everything is bad, and the minute you feel that the quality of your personal, professional or family life is being affected by your decisions, it is time to take a step back and ask yourself what you should change.

There have been a number of great articles written about poker and entrepreneurship. I’ve listed some of my favorites below:

Poker and Entrepreneurship: How Similar Are They?

What Poker Taught Me About Business

5 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Poker

Thinking about poker and the skills necessary to win – whether in a neighborhood or professional game – has me also thinking about the skills entrepreneurs must develop and hone to succeed in their endeavors. So, my Question of the Week is:

What skills are necessary for today’s entrepreneur to succeed, and at a high level?

I look forward to reading your responses and learning your perspective. In my humble opinion, entrepreneurship will be the mechanism that will propel our country through uncertain times we’re all facing. I do believe it’ll be a massive collaborative effort of entrepreneurs everywhere to ensure our full recovery. Helping and learning from each other is imperative.

Now, I can’t seem to get Kenny Rogers’ song, The Gambler out of my head.

You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk away, and know when to run…

Have a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!