Kissing Frogs: An Entrepreneurial Formula for Success in the USA and Ireland

Kissing Frogs in Ireland: “The challenges of becoming a successful entrepreneur” compares the difficulties of creating, sustaining and succeeding as a business owner in Ireland and the United States. The methodology for this primary research paper compares a 2019 study from the USA, with a similar 2023 survey implemented as part of a Fulbright Scholarship in Ireland. The surveys were completed using Qualtrics™, a global research organization. The respondents represented 42 states in the United States and 24 counties in Ireland. The recruited respondents were from a diverse group of self-identified entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. To summarize, the paper will analyze the following topics in detail: i) The demographic and educational characteristics of both countries, ii) The motivation for starting the business, iii) The inspiration for the business idea, iv) The common things done well, v) The common things entrepreneurs would do differently.