I recently asked 256 entrepreneurs what their motive was for starting their businesses and found the greatest motive was independence with 31%. In second was money with 25%. These are very powerful drivers which can motivate someone to for many years, delivering results and further ambition. The motive for starting a business is so important in getting the business to launch and grow. So having a powerful motive can be as relevant today, tomorrow and for a long time into the future is important, as being an entrepreneur is all consuming, so much of the time.

Independence with 31% was the most popular choice. This motive is a fundamentally driver which we see in so many entrepreneurs. When it comes out in their personality, its arrogance, ego, self esteem and an amazing believe in their products. However, wanting to be independent of others, and make one owns way is so important to us as human being that it is not surprising it’s the main reason to starting a business.

Money came in second with 25% of the vote. Having a great number of celebrity entrepreneurs in the press we are seeing more young people see that this route is the one to both fame and riches. Yet very hard work is needed to achieve a successful business, even more work to keep it going and even more again to become amazing rich. So many of our glamorously famous entrepreneurs forget to mention years of hard and long hours which created their work ethos. Hard work will never be glamorous or fashionable but without it money will never be teaming up with you.

Create Opportunities with 17% of the vote came in third. These people are innovators and business minded individual who have seen opportunities in the market which they can fulfill. This is a growing trend as social enterprise and philanthropy grows especially in time of hard unemployment and low economic growth. I would expect this to be second within a few years, based on the young people I meet who are starting businesses.

Want to Make a Difference achieved 14% of the vote can be split into two areas: Make a social difference or making a difference to one’s own life.

A New Challenge came fifth with 13%. All entrepreneurs are looking for a new challenge and this group could not relate to the other four. Every entrepreneur faces a new challenge every day and building that into your personality is core to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Starting out as an entrepreneur is deciding to take a path no one else has taken, each path is an individuals and therefore these motives are so important in maintaining this path and understanding your own reasons for continuing.  The strength to continue while everything is going wrong sets you aside from those who give up and from that day always keep looking back and wondering “What if?”  As a human being you may have only one life but as an entrepreneur you have a life time of opportunities to make your own success, whatever your motives.