Awards ceremony guests ponder traits of entrepreneurs

The 100 people who gathered in the Tiger Hotel ballroom for the inaugural Columbia Business Times Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards Luncheon on April 3 discovered organizers wanted not only their company but also their input.

Each guest had questionnaire about entrepreneurship to fill out and discuss over lunch.

The first question: “What makes entrepreneurs different?” Without a doubt, the most prevalent response was “willing to take risks.” As one anonymous respondent put it, “We are risk takers, willing to flop horribly and look like a fool.”

Another prevailing theme was optimism. Brad Eiffert, CEO of Boone County Lumber and a winner of a Certificate of Entrepreneurial Excellence, said, “Entrepreneurs have optimism and hope—enough that many are willing to wager it all with a belief that their idea, ability to add value and work ethic will win over customers.”

The second question asked participants to name entrepreneurs they admire. Some role models mentioned were national entrepreneurs who are now household names: Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, and Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google. Others were in the room for the luncheon. Several participants gave what’s perhaps the most interesting answer: “my father.”

The final question was, “What are three things that the leaders of Columbia or Missouri could do to support entrepreneurship?”

It should come as no surprise that several respondents wrote that some sort of financial support should be offered for early-stage businesses—through tax credits or a waiver of licensing fees and other start-up costs. Another common theme was making the bureaucracy easier to deal with—in terms of zoning, licensing and other city and state issues.

Nicole Barber, with Allied Mortgage Group, echoed the sentiments of many respondents: “Open up a mentor opportunity for new professionals.”

Many businesspeople remarked that newer generations of entrepreneurs have much to gain from those who have gone before them. They highlighted the need to formalize a process for sharing the experience of entrepreneurs who have been successful.