So why am I an entrepreneur? Good question to ask yourself. (And frankly, there is no right or wrong answer to this question.)
I've started my professional career early enough (around 14) and always was a lot about the technology — programming and networking. So I think that I got to know the pleasure of building something very early. And this is one of the most essential entrepreneurial habits and enjoyments — to build things from the scratch and guide them to solid and independent state.
However, I should say that I shared the disappointment (and stress) of nonrecognition also very early. And this is good, as far as entrepreneurs are forced to face it [stress] very often — when they either look for team, develop client base or pitch investors. This is the next important thing which is important to develop — how to deal with the downs (and ups!). (I can't take too much credit for this, though. I still take a lot of things very personal, but constantly learn how to ignore emotions and keep the pure pate.)
But entrepreneurship is not always about balancing good and bad (otherwise, it'd drive you mad). It [entrepreneurship] also has a golden mean, when you're far enough from success, but still on the right track and every day brings you closer to happiness.
And to crown it all, let me tell you my main reason of being an entrepreneur (and I'll use an allegory for that). Our world is full of dirt and dust. Fortunately, the wind cleans up the mess around. (Current state of economy is a good example of such a wind coming up.) But when the sun returns, one can see strong and healthy things around. Not everything will survive, but the ones who will — are going to leave a mark in this world. Leaving something meaningful after yourself is the best bonus I'm expecting from entrepreneurship.
P.S. While starting up a company is similar to raising a kid, there is still a significant difference between them. When you try to fix your (life) mistakes using your kid, it rarely works well. With startup, you have to fix your mistakes.
