Shark Tank's Mark Cuban Identifies One Of The Worst Traits In An Entrepreneur

While during “Shark Tank” Mark Cuban called what he describes as “inventor-itis” one of the worst traits a business owner can develop, he likewise revealed during a visit to Lewisville High School in Lewisville, Texas what he thinks is among the foremost ingredients in successful entrepreneurship.

“The key to starting a business when you’re young is doing things that you can do yourself,” he said. “Things that you can do with your own time. If it’s a product, do something that’s easy for you to get and easy for you to sell. By learning how to do that, it really comes down to one simple thing: the best businesses are things you can control and do yourself. That’s what being an entrepreneur is all about.”

This line of thinking tracks with his “inventor-itis” comment given that developing new products at the behest of profitability effectively renders a business out of its owner’s control. While entrepreneurship requires more than just avoiding “inventor-itis” and maintaining a DIY mindset, these are nevertheless two key insights straight from one of the foremost business-minded celebrities.