For many optimistic believers in the world, some think that having an idea is the only thing to run a business. What they do not understand is that there is no implicit formula for becoming a successful entrepreneur. Yes, it all begins with an idea, but at the end of the day, there is so much more than meets the eye.

So what is an entrepreneur? What makes them so special?

When we think about an entrepreneur, we think of a person who is simply fueled each and every day by their passion and beliefs. These movers, motivators, and game changers are individuals who are willing to sacrifice everything for the betterment of the whole. They are the ones who see failure as a welcomed opportunity and success as marker for their overall plan.

With hundreds of online articles and published books that claim to know the secret of success in business, they all essentially boil down to one question: Are you the right leader for your business? Being a leader, you need to have a specific mentality and drive to push an idea out to the public. In addition, you will be asked countless times to manage and inspire a group each and every day. Below, you will find various characteristics that make entrepreneurs successful. If you are a person willing to take the long and arduous journey of an entrepreneur, then make sure you reflect, understand, and internalize these concepts. They will be the sole definer between your success and your failure.

Passion – Love What You Do

Whether you go to Google, Facebook, or Apple, what drives and breeds motivation in every single one of their employees is the passion for the business. Like many people would say, the road to success is a hard one. There will be few ups and many downs. But in those darkest times, a business will thrive no matter what if you and your team are passionate about your vision. Passion is the cornerstone for success. It fuels your vision, your company’s culture, and most importantly the people who are working for that brighter future. To do this, make sure your goals are set. Behind those goals, create a message and a purpose. That purpose will simply be the passion and drive you will use to inspire yourself and those around you each and every day.

Give Yourself Time

Billy Beane said it best that, “no matter how big the project, understand that this is a process.” Not every company can start off by knocking it out of the park. In fact, seeing that type of success is incredibly rare. Because of those reasons, you need to understand that the learning curve and success rate is a slow process. During first few months, you will be ironing out the various logistics and operations that your company will need to make a profit. In addition, where the opportunity for expansion arises, you want to make sure you are able to scale the business in the most efficient and financial way. Remember, Rome was not build in a day. The same goes for your business.

Be a Leader

This should always be in the back of your mind. No matter what stage you are in your company, you always need to remember that you are the face, the general, and the leader for your business. As a leader, it is your job to inspire and manage your team for success. You are the model needed to establish a path so that things can move in the right direction. In addition, you will also be asked to make various difficult decisions. During these decisions, be creative, inspiring, and last but not least confident. Remember, all decisions come down to you! Own it. Recognize there will be mistakes, but do not allow fear to cloud your judgment.

Learn from your Mistakes

Speaking of mistakes, what you need to know is that mistakes are inevitable. The key is to learn from them as fast as possible. At times, mistakes can often be associated with failure. Do not let this bring you down. Rather see this as an opportunity for success. Understand the ins-and-outs of the mistake and see what you can do to problem solve beyond it.

Reflect, Reflect, Reflect!

Every successful business is not simply an idea, but a strategically devised plan. Every kink and turn has been planned accordingly. But what happens when you go off script? How do you take your business to the next level? Similar to Google and Apple, who began with an idea and expanded into new ventures, you want to do the same. Necessity is the mother of invention. Be innovative with your work. Find new solutions to problems that can impact humanity for the better.