The Mighty Entrepreneur is Here to Save the Day! Is it possible to attract them?

An entrepreneur is a creative mind turned practical—a visionary who brings ideas to life by building new businesses. Many will fail and fall along the way in their quest to create strong, viable companies. Yet they are tenacious. They pick up the pieces, rebuild their lives and finances, and return to the fight. Quitting isn’t in their nature—it’s something deeply embedded in who they are. And when they succeed, they have the power to rejuvenate towns, uplift communities, and energize entire economies.

Entrepreneurs as community heros

This warrior of business is far more than a passing figure on the economic stage. Entrepreneurs embody a cocktail of personality traits that fuel their purpose and direction. Attracting them to your community—and providing streamlined access to facilities, legal guidance, financing, and support networks—can spark faster-paced economic growth.

Even better: communities can actively pursue entrepreneurs through targeted advertising while they’re still in the information-gathering phase. (Yes, patterns in behavior can help identify where and when to place a well-crafted ad that promotes the benefits of moving to your area or starting a business there. Add a local contact, tours, and welcome packets, and you might master the game.)

Research shows a clear association between entrepreneurial intention and certain key personality traits—such as risk-taking, ambition, tolerance for ambiguity, enthusiasm, innovation, need for achievement, and internal locus of control. Starting a business isn't just a financial decision—it’s also a cognitive and psychological journey.

You may read about that study in the Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Personality traits in describing entrepreneurial intentions: a sequential mixed methods study

This presents a valuable opportunity: to design programs that align with the true motivations of entrepreneurs while providing timely, localized support. By doing so, you’re helping them move from idea to implementation—and shaping the future of your community in the process.