Who has the entrepreneurial spirit? Not everyone, that’s for sure. While many people dream about the romance of being self-employed (I know, romance?), most folks aren’t cut out for the life. So, here’s a tale of two guys.
Tom decided to give entrepreneurship a shot. He loved the freedom of setting up camp at different coffee shops in town and plunking away on his laptop.

But he lacked even the most basic discipline. When people gave him a shot, he missed appointments, told prospects what they needed rather than listening to what they wanted, criticized the competition and operated on a sunny-afternoon schedule that ignored pressing deadlines. Tom is once again an employee, still complaining about how others did him in.

Then there’s Marty, a man with the soul of an entrepreneur. His is not so much a success story as a tale about how an entrepreneur lives with, survives and overcomes failure.

I don’t know Marty all that well, and I hadn't seen him in a few weeks, not since I had learned that his restaurant had failed. The news had left me sad. It's never fun to watch a hard-working fellow lose not only his money, but also his dream. Fortunately, he still had his base business: A small tavern, with quarters upstairs for him and his wife. Still, I suspect his debt load was onerous.

An escapee from Chicago, he and Denise had revamped a small tavern, The Captain’s Mistress, in Algoma, on Lake Michigan. He introduced a terrific, kick-butt menu (to-die-for deep dish pizza, Chicago beef sandwiches, even peppers and egg sandwiches), not your usual North Woods grease-burger fare.

Though new to the world of small business, he was a hard worker and a fast learner, with a ton of common sense. That, coupled with a winning personality that kept bringing the customers back, an equally personable and industrious wife, and that they lived above the tavern (minimal expenses) all worked to make this venture a success.

So, last spring, like any entrepreneur unwilling to settle in and live off the fruits of his success, Marty expanded. He took over a bigger restaurant, this one overlooking the Algoma harbor. It had a great location, probably the best within a hundred miles.

Unfortunately, not only did he overextend himself personally, emotionally and financially, but the summer fishing season was only so-so. The Great Economic Slowdown of 2008 didn’t help, either. It was Marty’s version of a Perfect Storm — and his boat sank.

So, what makes Marty an entrepreneur? Well, when I saw him in December, I was surprised for two reasons: First, he was wearing a UPS uniform and making a delivery to my home. It actually took me a second to recognize him, until I caught his smile. And that's the second thing that surprised me — his big, lopsided grin as he greeted me. That grin said, "Oh, I'm fine. Not what I had in mind for this Christmas season, but I'm still standing."

That glimpse, that one moment, to me epitomized the true entrepreneurial spirit. No Washington bailout for Marty, but also no whining, no complaining, no public sulking.

All guys like Marty ask is a chance, not a guarantee. I know he invested a lot of money and sweat equity into that second restaurant. He took a chance, and the perfect storm clobbered him.

And that's the way it goes. I'm not even going to say he will be back. That's because, with his great attitude, he already is.

By John Ingrisano

John Ingrisano is a small business owner and the author of The Back to Basics Book of Selling: A Guide to A Successful Sales Career. Contact John at john@ TheFreestyleEntrepreneur.com.