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The personal characteristics, the traits are compared with the traits of a ‘real’
entrepreneur. Boer (2010) notes; ‘in general, it is important that someone remains
flexible no matter what happens and keeps seeing opportunities, real entrepreneurs
do that’ and ‘how do you cope with failures? If that makes you depressive than you
should not do it. Those are psychosocial factors’. In extension Stefano (2010)
mentions; ‘real entrepreneurs always see chances, opportunities, always keep
thinking in chances. Not that you give up after one disappointment. They will find that
a pity, an inconvenient, but they are able to get over that very quickly’.
5.2.8. Learning, Growth and Employee
This category was only mentioned sixteen times. Three different respondents
mentioned it from three different perspectives (see appendix K). Because none of the
perspectives has been supported or mentioned by other respondents, the
perspectives are not reliable enough to include in the model.
5.2.9. Network and Business Development Services
These strongly related categories are identified as important aspects for starting
entrepreneurs. Some interviewees argue that part of the potential success can be
measured from these aspects (see appendix L and M). A distinction is made between
private and professional networks. Another type of network that can be used is a
social networking site. For these sites the same distinction can be made between
professional and private.
The respondents agree that although a private network appears to be
straightforward, it is not always used to its full potential by the starting entrepreneur.
This also counts for the professional networks, which can have many different forms
and sizes. Some examples that have been mentioned by the respondents are; the
contacts of the private network as well as their contacts, fellow starting entrepreneurs
both from related and unrelated industries possibly through BDS programs, create an
advisory board or brainstorm group, develop a good relation with customers, become
a member of relevant groups on social networking sites, visit related social
gatherings and call people. The respondents generally agreed that the assertiveness
of a starting entrepreneur plays a vital role in developing his professional network
and that stimulating this will increase the survival rate of start up enterprises. Lange
(2010) refers to his own experience and mentions; ‘just call people and say; 'you
Elmar Hoogendoorn 65
Sustainable Microfinance