Here is a brief excerpt of the traits an article by Jim Hopkins of USA Today says are required to start a business:

Childhood experience

You didn't rely on allowances and other handouts from your parents for spending money when you were young.

Entrepreneurial genes

In the nurture vs. nature debate, there's new research showing that the drive to start companies may be genetic.

Family support

Prepare for crazy-long hours, including weekends, during a company's startup phase, a workload that's also taxing for an entrepreneur's family.

Money doesn't motivate

Two of the United States' most famous entrepreneurs -- Bill Gates at Microsoft and Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway -- are also the two richest Americans.

Passion

You don't just think you've built a better mousetrap. You feel it in your gut, and know the world will be much better if only you can get your idea to market.

Pragmatism

As passionate as entrepreneurs must be to drive startups forward, they also know when to cut losses.

Risk-taking

You know startup success isn't guaranteed. Still, you don't flinch at the thought of betting your severance pay or retirement savings on self-employment.

Strong ethics

Startups depend heavily on good first impressions when entrepreneurs hire employees, court investors and line up customers.

Tech ease

Feeling comfortable with technology is crucial, because computers, software and other gadgets are key to launching a business in the fastest-growing economy, the service sector.

Tenacity

Sometimes the best business ideas fail to take hold, not because there isn't demand, but because the startup was undercapitalized, or the entrepreneur lacked management know-how or simply gave up too soon.

Read the full article Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Business?