A great sculptor would never think of just shipping an untouched piece of marble to an art gallery to be displayed and sold.  A sculptor’s art is not seen in his or her ability to pick out a fine piece of stone.  The artistry comes in the sculptor’s ability to fashion something amazing out of something lifeless like stone or metal. 

Some people have the mistaken impression that entrepreneurs are like the sculptor who never cuts on the stone.  They think entrepreneurs have great ideas, and then almost immediately, these ideas go straight to market.  I have yet to see this happen. 

What happens is more like this: an entrepreneur has an idea.  He or she then begins the shaping process.  They do research to see if there is a market for the idea.  They talk to mentors, potential customers, and influencers.  There is constant molding and shaping required before an idea is ever ready to market.

For an entrepreneur to be successful, he or she must be willing to mold, remake, tweak, and rearrange the original idea.  Again, what is important is a mixture of tenacity and flexibility for the entrepreneur to see his or her work of art go to market.

So when you see that great piece of art on the market, keep in mind all of the hard work that went into making that happen!