What Does It Take To Become An Entrepreneur?

  •   Tue, Feb 24 2026
  •   By Ethan Pinto & Pramod D’Souza

February 24, 2026

I am not an entrepreneur yet — and this article does not pretend otherwise. It comes from observation, honest questioning, and conversations around a path that is often glorified but rarely explained plainly. This piece is written with the backing & support of Pramod D’Souza, President – Kanara Entrepreneurs (Bangalore Chapter) and Co-Founder – Eagle10 Ventures.

Competent, but cautious
The Mangalorean community has long been recognised for its strong educational foundations, disciplined work ethic, and professional excellence. From medicine and engineering to finance, IT, and public service, Mangaloreans have earned respect both in India and abroad. Yet, when it comes to entrepreneurship, our participation remains relatively modest, especially new age tech startups. If competence is not the problem, then the real question is: what holds us back?

Entrepreneurship today has a marketing problem
It is marketed as freedom, speed, and quick money, while quietly ignoring responsibility, isolation, and long-term uncertainty. The truth is inconvenient — entrepreneurship is not a career upgrade. It is a character test.

Uncertainty & Calculated risk
One of the first realities entrepreneurship imposes is discomfort with uncertainty. Salaried careers offer predictability and social validation. Entrepreneurship offers neither upfront. For a community that values stability, this ambiguity can feel irresponsible. Yet seasoned entrepreneurs are not gamblers — they are calculated risk takers. They test assumptions, manage downside risk, and learn faster than they fail.

Ideas vs Execution
Ideas are rarely the bottleneck. As Les Brown famously observed, “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is filled with ideas, inventions, and businesses that were never executed.” Execution rewards discipline, not enthusiasm — especially after motivation fades. This is where many early aspirations silently die.

Mangalureans are strong observers and problem-solvers. We identify inefficiencies and gaps quickly, yet often stop at analysis. Entrepreneurship demands movement even with incomplete information. Waiting for certainty is often just disguised risk avoidance.

The Good old fear of Failure
Culturally, our community still treats entrepreneurship as a risky detour rather than a serious pursuit. Stable careers are encouraged, uncertainty is discouraged, and failure is quietly stigmatized. While these values have produced competent professionals, they often leave little room for experimentation — the very soil entrepreneurship needs to grow.

This Craft is not for everyone
This does not mean everyone should become an entrepreneur. That is another lazy narrative. The real problem is when young people never get to understand entrepreneurship beyond surface-level success stories. Exposure matters. Conversations matter. So do mentors who speak honestly about what the journey costs — not just what it promises.

Thinking in decades, not months
Finally, entrepreneurship demands a long-term lens. Progress is rarely linear, and early effort often feels invisible. Yet patience and discipline compound quietly, creating independence and impact over time.

Revolutions
Entrepreneurship today is no longer unstructured. Mentors, incubation platforms, and digital tools have reduced many external barriers. What remains is largely internal — a mindset shift from seeking security to accepting responsibility.

Call to action
For young people who feel a quiet pull towards entrepreneurship, the starting point is simpler than it appears. Begin by solving a small, real problem around you—on campus, at home, in your neighbourhood, or online. Talk to users, test ideas on a small scale, learn basic financial discipline, and seek feedback early. More importantly, surround yourself with people who encourage thinking, not just conformity. Entrepreneurship does not begin with a registered company or funding; it begins with curiosity, initiative, and the discipline to act consistently, even when no one is watching.

Do you have it in you?
If you are passionate about entrepreneurship, then meet new people, network with other entrepreneurs, identify opportunities, brainstorm, and in some cases collaborate with seasoned entrepreneurs. Those serious about this journey must step out, meet other entrepreneurs, build meaningful networks, identify real opportunities, and spend time thinking deeply—brainstorming, experimenting, and, where it makes sense, collaborating. The entrepreneurial mindset is shaped not in isolation, but through deliberate action and sustained involvement.

 

 

 

 
By Ethan Pinto & Pramod D’Souza
Ethan Pinto is a student at St. Aloysius Pre-University College who writes articles on society, agriculture and emerging economic trends.

Pramod D'Souza is an angel investor, technology leader, and startup advisor. He also serves as the president of Kanara Entrepreneurs, Bangalore chapter.
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