Entrepreneur: An entrepreneur is a person who starts an enterprise. He searches for change and responds to it. A number of definitions have been given of an entrepreneur- The economists view him as a fourth factor of production along with land labour and capital.
To put it very simply an entrepreneur is someone who perceives opportunity, organizes resources needed for exploiting that opportunity and exploits it. Computers, mobile phones, washing machines, ATMs, Credit Cards, Courier Service, and Ready to eat Foods are all examples of entrepreneurial ideas that got converted into products or services. Some definitions of an entrepreneur are listed below:
Entrepreneur stems from the French word ‘entrependre’ meaning one who undertakes or one who is a ‘go-between’ . Entrepreneurship is the terminal stage of the entrepreneurial process wherein after setting up a venture one looks for diversification and growth. An entrepreneur is always in search of new challenges. An entrepreneur is not routine businessman he might not have resources but he will have ideas. He is innovative and creative. He can convert a threat into an opportunity. Small businessmen might shut-down or change his business if he anticipates losses but an entrepreneur will try again after analyzing the situation. On the other hand an entrepreneur can leave a perfectly running business to start another venture if he so desires. Functionally all entrepreneurs are self-employed and income generating persons but the reverse is not true- all self-employed and income generating persons are not entrepreneurs. If seen on a continuum, income generation, self-employment and entrepreneurship can be considered as the initial, middle and final stages of the entrepreneurial growth process. Income generating experience encourages self-employment, which in turn facilitates graduating into entrepreneurship.
Many definitions of entrepreneurship can