Entrepreneurs Are Not Born

💼 When we hear the word “entrepreneur,” we immediately imagine someone who dreamed of their own business from a young age, read books about business, and sold chewing gum at school gates. But the reality is very different.

Every child once imagined their future: some saw themselves on stage with a guitar, some on a football field, some at the airplane cockpit. But few children pictured: “I will grow up and run a business on a marketplace.” And that’s understandable.

A recent study by one of the largest e-commerce platforms revealed an interesting statistic: only 3% of entrepreneurs dreamed of owning a business during their school years. The rest envisioned themselves in more “romantic” roles. In other words, people usually become entrepreneurs over time, rather than being born as such.

What future sellers wanted to be (Top 10 professions)

• Musicians — 18%
• Actors — 15%
• Athletes — 12%
• Pilots — 9%
• Journalists and writers — 8%
• Police officers — 6%
• Directors — 4%
• Doctors — 3%
• Drivers — 3%
• Other professions — 19%

Business clearly wasn’t at the top of childhood dreams. But that didn’t stop people from eventually entering entrepreneurship — often successfully.

Early steps and intrinsic drive

Among the rare schoolchildren who did dream of starting a business, the entrepreneurial mindset appeared early. 40% began earning money while still studying: some sold stickers and postcards, others imported goods, and some turned hobbies into their first coins.

Even today, many sellers continue learning — some study marketing, some sales analytics, some product listing design. Entrepreneurship is no longer innate or reserved for the “chosen ones” — it has become a profession that can be learned and mastered.

Marketplaces as a new business school

Modern marketplaces act as a university for entrepreneurship. They provide ready infrastructure: a platform, promotion tools, analytics, and training. What once required large capital and connections is now available to anyone — just register and take the first step.

Marketplaces have effectively given millions of people a chance to become business owners without wealthy parents, investors, or an MBA. Success here depends not on “connections in the ministry,” but on the ability to package a product well, present it effectively, and build relationships with customers.

Entrepreneurship as a profession of the future

Today we can confidently say: people become entrepreneurs. It is a profession like medicine, journalism, or engineering — with one key difference: there are no age limits. You can start at 18 — or at 50.

That is why those who once dreamed of being actors, musicians, or athletes increasingly choose the business path. In childhood, they dreamed of the stage and applause, and now they receive “applause” in the form of positive reviews, repeat purchases, and growing income.

Conclusion: investing in the future

History shows that an entrepreneur is not an “innate talent,” but the result of experience, perseverance, and willingness to learn. In a world where marketplaces open doors for everyone, business has become democratic and accessible.

Today we can confidently say that Buffett’s philosophy applies not only to the stock market but also to personal business. He and thousands of modern entrepreneurs have proven: success is built on discipline, the ability to spot long-term trends, and a willingness to learn.

Buffett invests in companies, and entrepreneurs invest in themselves and their experience. In both cases, those who think in terms of the future rather than immediate gain win.

The main takeaway is simple: it’s never too late to start. If you still think you’re “too late,” look at those who dreamed of being rock stars as children. Today they build businesses on marketplaces, and although they hold a product listing instead of a guitar, the impact can be just as powerful.