Are you considering becoming an entrepreneur but not sure whether you've got "the right stuff"? If you're worried that you don't fit the profile of a successful entrepreneur, take heart. We usually think of entrepreneurs as confident extroverts, but plenty of entrepreneurs have succeeded in their own quiet way while keeping a low profile.

Age is not a deciding factor; both high school students and retirees have built thriving businesses. A college degree is not a necessity -some of the most successful entrepreneurs skipped college altogether or didn't finish their degrees. Previous business experience is very helpful, but even that is not a prerequisite if you're willing to learn.

Ultimately, the success of your business venture depends mostly on you. It's your abilities, attitudes, and efforts that will determine your future success. I don't believe there is one single "type" of person who is destined to succeed, but possessing certain personal traits and characteristics does improve your chances significantly:

Committed:  You can decide on a course of action and see it through. You're capable of making a sustained effort over time without giving up or losing interest.

Confident:  You believe in yourself and your dream, and you don't let anyone talk you out of it. Your own self-confidence inspires the confidence of others.

Creative:  You're an innovator and aren't afraid to experiment. You dare to be different, and you'll gladly try something new in order to pull ahead of the pack.

Decisive:  You can quickly assess a situation, evaluate your options and make a decision. You're never paralyzed by indecision, even under duress.

Disciplined:  You can set goals for yourself and work toward them without anyone looking over your shoulder. You're self-motivating and do what you need to even when you don't particularly enjoy it.

Enthusiastic:  You believe in your business and feel passionate about what you're doing, and your enthusiasm is contageous.

Flexible:  You're willing to try another tack when what you're doing isn't working. You can identify priorities and switch tasks as needed.

Focused:  You know how to put first things first and stay focused on what really matters. You can set priorities and stick to them.

Organized:  You're well-organized in your thinking, actions and work habits. No matter how busy you get, you don't succumb to chaos.

Patient:  You don't give up when success takes longer than you expected. You keep your long-term goals in mind and keep moving forward.

Realistic:  You recognize that running a business means facing many challenges and you can face them head on. You set realistic goals rather than attempting more than you can reasonably accomplish.

Resilient:  You're not easily discouraged. When faced with setbacks you're able to pick yourself up and get going again, and you don't let short-term failures stop you from pursuing your long-termgoals.

Resourceful:  You have a knack for leveraging your resources (time, energy, money, technology) to put them to the best possible use and you know how to get the maximum return on your efforts.

Versatile:  As a solo entrepreneur, you'll probably find yourself filling multiple roles -top executive, receptionist, secretary, marketing manager, computer technician, salesperson, etc. Being a versatile person with a range of skills and aptitudes is definitely a plus.