He spoke of Australia being and remaining a prosperous nation. In this context he asked the question of how Ballarat can become an exemplar of Aussie entrepreneurs. I believe we already are!

He showed data that indicated how Ballarat attracted students to its welcoming Universities and TAFE. However he pointed out that the statistics showed Ballarat then lost these graduates to other cities. This is a challenge for us all. Especially when wanting to develop entrepreneurs.

Mr. Salt's review indicated that Ballarat was currently a bit low on the entrepreneurial scale, with Daylesford being way ahead of Ballarat.

In years past Ballarat has had/and still has many great entrepreneurs, who have proven themselves on the world stage. They put their money into the businesses they created. They have then driven them through good and bad times. We honour and thank them.

Now the question Mr. Salt is really asking is what about the future?

So what actually is an entrepreneur? In its purist meaning it is "a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit." (Oxford) and "An entrepreneur is an individual who creates a new business, bearing most of the risks and enjoying most of the rewards." (Investopedia)

It involves an individual taking financial risk. It describes an entrepreneurial venture, typically a newly emerged business, trying to solve a problem by developing a feasible new business model for a new product, service, process or platform.

Success for an entrepreneur is not just about a good idea and some money. (Even if they help!) Many with both have tried and failed.

There are certain characteristics that are needed. These include self-motivation, understanding what you offer, taking risk, knowing how to network, basic money skills, flexibility and passion. Note, other than basic money skills, these assets are largely intuitive.

LaunchVic chief executive officer Kate Cornick said startups are among the largest contributors to job creation in Australia. However, "Ninety-seven per cent of Victorian startups are based in Melbourne, so our focus is to expand the opportunities for startups to be created anywhere in Victoria with the right support and ecosystem," she said.

"Despite the increased governmental and private support, as well as a lot of angel and venture capital investment deals, Australia is also facing problems such as a risk-averse culture with a strong sense of national humility." (Statista 2019)

What is needed is a group of current long standing Ballarat based entrepreneurs to get together and create a privately run entrepreneurial movement. The purpose being to identify new up and coming entrepreneurs within Ballarat and quietly help them to succeed in their own ventures. You will be ensuring the long term future of Ballarat.

Now we need the new potential entrepreneurs to put their hands up.

Do you think you are an entrepreneur? Are you willing to take the risk (and the upside)? Are you brave? Come on you can do it.

- Nick Beale, Alfredton