I've been an employee for the last 26 years. I've been an employee, effectively rising through the ranks of very successful companies. Most recently, I was a highly valued, recognized employee of a $1B+ multi-national that was a leader in its field.

Oh yeah...and I was pushed out. With no explanation. Just business, they say. Gotta cut some costs. So we let a few people go and scoot around some chairs on the deck of the Titanic. (Way to be bold!)

Immediately I set about "finding" a new job....

I've always been a bit of an entrepreneur. I guess I've always thought we all are at some level, though maybe some are missing a chromosome making them genetically incapable.

Its difficult to define exactly what it means to be an entrepreneur. A dictionary definition is easy. But defining the truly differentiating factors is not so simple nor objective.

It's Really NOT about the money...

Everyone thinks the entrepreneur is driven by money...but for the truly successful and fulfilled...

Whether they're battle-tested veterans or fresh-faced newbies, entrepreneurs undergo an intense learning process when establishing and launching a business. Even those who've been through it before typically face a certain amount of uncertainty. That's why it's critical that they learn as much as possible about their specific area of business as well as entrepreneurship as a whole. Probably thousands of books offer business, leadership or startup advice, but we've narrowed it down to just 14. ...

Some books are more important than others...these are must-reads for any and all entrepreneurs...

1. The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change The Way You Do Business by Clayton M. Christenen, 1997. Harvard professor Clayton Christensen, who has founded a handful of companies of his own over the years, delivered one of the most respected and useful books for entrepreneurs 17 years ago. Its power lies in the assertion that even though things are done correctly, a...

Entrepreneurship is in the air. 54% of Millennials either want to start a business or have already started one according to a 2011 Kauffman Foundation Survey. In addition, 21% of freelancers are still enrolled in university. The barriers that discouraged previous generations' entrepreneurial aspirations have all but crumbled for today’s entrepreneur. The only viable excuse for not starting a business today is simply that you do not desire to do so.

1) Start-up Costs Are Zero.
For a business...