Factors Paper Architect Risha CarlaTobias

Hi Sir,

Below is my Qualities of an Entrepreneur paper.

Thanks and Regards,

Risha

WHAT QUALITIES OF AN ENTREPRENEUR DO YOU POSSESS?

Risk-Taking

I am a risk-taker when it comes to calculated risks. I welcome options and use gut feel along with a lot of thought. I started my business four years ago, and without a business background, I relied on gut feel when it came to the concept of the business. I did research and calculations to supplement my intuition before actually plunging into it.

As for my architectural practice, I didn't join the bandwagon of joining a firm. After a few years working in Singapore, I decided to just start my own practice here.

Hunger

Since starting the business, I didn't stop researching and exploring new ideas. I knew that to allow my business to grown I needed to expand both the product base and the customer base. I keep on adding new products that aren't found in similar shops in order to keep the existing clientele interested and to attract new ones.

There is also a mixture of open-mindedness and business-mindedness in me that I try to find opportunities everywhere -- It could be new products, good bargains, or a chance to improve operations.

Time Management

Even in my early school days, I've practiced time management. I made sure to submit assignments on time, and not stay up late studying. I'm a multi-tasker, and manage to juggle several activities at any given time. During my college years I was voted by my classmates to receive the "Grace Under Pressure" award when it comes to meeting deadlines, and I've been invited to speak to the lower batches of students regarding time management. Until today, even if it's known for people working by themselves to be working on their own – due to the issue of procrastination – I try my best to battle it and motivate myself to meet all deadlines.

Creativity

I'd like to think I'm an idea machine. Even for everyday experiences, I think of ways that could have improved the system – for instance what would have alleviated the traffic bottleneck in this corner of the street. Aside from the business that I'm currently running, I have a couple ideas that I want to implement as new businesses as well.  

Passion

My business has been my passion that it has become my lifestyle, my hobby. I've overcome several challenges along the way, but I've stuck it out after all these years through perseverance, optimism and enjoyment. It's with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Motivation

Related to passion, I had to stay motivated all these years, especially since my business is a single proprietorship business, and I don't have anyone who would regard the business exactly or close to how I do.

Self-Starter

Aside from being a risk-taker, I have enough confidence to plunge into endeavors by myself. I entered an industry where I was a very small fish, but I knew that I could make a place for myself. My business has grown recognition among the market in 4 years.

Even when I was in grade school, I would sell chocolates to my classmates (not knowing that fifteen years later I would get into a business related to chocolate). I took the initiative to do these activities, without anyone prodding me to do so.

WHAT QUALITIES OF AN ENTREPRENEUR ARE NOT YET WITH YOU?

Interpersonal Skills

Not that I don't have any interpersonal skills at all, but I know there's still room for improvement. I spent 12 years in an all-girls school and I grew up relatively shy and slightly of a recluse. It was only college that I started to learn how to actually interact with different personalities. But throughout the years of my business and practice, I've learned to open up some more and exert more effort to interact with people.

I've also just recently started to hire an assistant. And although I hired someone to be able to delegate most of the menial work to her, I'm trying to learn to be as patient as I could. I've used to making things work on my own, so I'm trying my best to remind myself that having an assistant would be good long-term, especially when I want to grow my business, and that I just have to be as patient as I could while training her.

Competitiveness

I entered an industry that already had 2 big players. I am competitive in the sense that I want to gain more customers and provide products that aren't provided by those 2 big players, but I'm in that mindset that I can actually reach the level or exceed these competitors. I need to set my mind that I can reach or surpass the level of the big players. 3.0