It is the American Dream to own your own business. Being your own boss, setting your own hours, and being responsible for all income that flows your way is incredibly appealing and being an entrepreneur is fantastic and extremely rewarding, if you have the personality for it. A recent study indicated that successful entrepreneurs share many common personality traits and that it is these traits, rather than education, family ties, experience or skills that indicate how successful they are or will become. So the question becomes “do I have the right personality for the business I want to start?” The following are 15 questions to ask yourself before you charge into the deep end:

1. Is it important for you to accomplish something meaningful in your life?
   
2. Are you a natural born leader?
   
3. Do you typically set short and long-term goals for yourself? And do you usually achieve them?
   
4. Do you like to be in control of your working environment?
   
5. Do you take full responsibility for your successes and failures?
   
6. Can you place the needs of your business ahead of your family when necessary?
   
7. Do you have work experience in the business you want to start?
   
8. Can you hold to your ideas and goals even when others disagree with you?
   
9. Do you enjoy working on your own?
   
10. Are you self-disciplined?
    
11. Are you willing to take moderate risks to achieve your goals?
    
12. Can you afford to lose the money you invest in your business?
    
13. Are you willing to work hard to acquire new skills?
    
14. Do you usually stick with a project until it is completed?
    
15. Do you work well under pressure?

(Questions adapted from Career Coaching An Insider's Guide by Marcia Bench)

If you answered yes to most of these questions, entrepreneurship may be the right path for you.