Do you fancy yourself as a bit of an entrepreneur? 

Much like Derek Trotter from Only Fools and Horses, you can typically be found flogging your wares from a shabby suitcase while your hapless brother keeps an eye out for the police.  

When you’re not trying to get rid of the old rubbish you’ve found in your garage, you’re down the pub drinking inexplicable cocktails and wowing the locals with your limited French vocabulary. 

Quite simply, you’re a friendly, happy-go-lucky character with a heart of gold and an unashamedly sanguine view of life – but there’s one teensy-weensy problem … 

… you’re skint. 

Despite your best efforts, you’ve struggled to get your “business” off the ground, which has led to many sleepless nights worrying about the direction you’ll take to become the next Donald Trump.  

Here’s some advice … 

Do What You Love, Love What You Do 

“Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Those were the wise words of the Chinese philosopher Confucius – and it’s the perfect advice if you’re looking to develop a business platform to launch your success. 

Whether you plan to set up international courier services to deliver items around the globe or you long to get an ice cream van on the road, it’s absolutely crucial you have the passion and perseverance to drive your vision forward. 

Learn From the Best 

In the same way Rodney learned from Del Boy (valuable life lessons, at least), most of the successful entrepreneurs we know today have spent time working for others before they make the decision to launch their own venture. 

Consequently, a few years under the tutelage of a willing mentor – as well as learning from the mistakes they’ve made in their own career – will arm you with the skills you need to make a real go of your own business. 

Keep On Moving 

Much like some sharks must keep swimming in order to avoid drowning, the successful entrepreneur must be willing to move forward at every opportunity and resist the temptation to rest on their laurels. 

In a nutshell, there’s no time for you to overanalyse situations or lament what might have been. To follow in the footsteps of Trump et al, it’s vital procrastination is thrown to one side and replaced with a drive to succeed and trusting your gut instinct at every turn. 

What do you think? 

Are there any other skills you’d like to add to this list for all the budding Donald Trump’s or Richard Branson’s across the globe? Please let us know by leaving your comment below – we’d be delighted to hear from you.