What is a wantrapreneur?

Have you ever met someone who’s always talking about starting a business but never actually does?

You know the type.

They buy every course. They attend every webinar. They’re always “researching” or “planning.”

But months (or even years) later, they haven’t launched anything.

That’s a wantrapreneur.

And in today’s post, I’m going to break down exactly what this means, share my own journey from wantrapreneur to successful entrepreneur, and give you actionable tips to avoid this common trap.

What is a wantrapreneur?

They’re stuck in perpetual preparation mode.

They consume tons of business content.

They may even invest in courses, tools, and resources.

But they rarely implement what they learn.

The key difference between a wantrapreneur and an entrepreneur isn’t knowledge or resources – it’s action.

Wantrapreneurs often have these common traits:

• They collect business ideas but never pursue any of them seriously
• They spend more money on courses than they make from actual business
• They constantly wait for the “perfect time” to start
• They get excited about new opportunities but quickly abandon them
• They worry too much about what others will think of their business
• They overplan and overthink every small detail
• They let fear of failure prevent them from launching

Sound familiar? Many successful entrepreneurs (including myself) started as wantrapreneurs before making the crucial shift to action-takers.

Real-world examples (including my story)

In 2012, I was the definition of a wantrapreneur.

I hired my first mentor and spent months working on my website design. I was constantly “getting ready” to launch.

But I never did.

I was stuck in an endless cycle of preparation without execution.

Then in April 2013, my life changed forever when my younger brother Simon passed away. This profound loss gave me the wake-up call I desperately needed.

I realized life is too short to keep postponing my dreams.

A few months later, in June 2013, I finally launched my website and blog. I was no longer just talking about becoming a lifestyle entrepreneur – I was taking real steps to become one.

It wasn’t always easy. There were plenty of ups and downs over the next 18 months.

But the difference was I kept taking action.

The turning point came when I hosted my first virtual summit called “The Branding Summit.” This single event generated $20,000 in profit, and the following month I made $40,000 from the email list I’d built.

This success allowed me to quit my job and travel the world as a digital nomad. My business quickly grew to multiple six figures in revenue, and I got featured in Business Insider and other major media outlets.

None of this would have happened if I’d remained a wantrapreneur.

The real cost of being a wantrapreneur

The price of remaining a wantrapreneur goes far beyond just not having a business. Here’s what it really costs you:

1. Lost time

While you’re planning, researching, and hesitating, months and years slip away. This is time you’ll never get back.

Think about it: if you started taking real action a year ago, where would your business be today?

2. Lost money

Many wantrapreneurs actually spend more money than early-stage entrepreneurs. They buy courses, tools, and resources they never fully use.

I spent thousands on courses and design work before launching anything that could generate revenue.

3. Lost confidence

Each day you don’t take action, your self-belief erodes a little more. The longer you stay in wantrapreneur mode, the harder it becomes to believe you can succeed.

4. Lost opportunities

Market conditions change. Trends come and go. While you’re waiting for the perfect moment, real entrepreneurs are capturing market share and building relationships with your potential customers.

5. Lost life experiences

The entrepreneur lifestyle brings freedom, growth, and incredible experiences. As a wantrapreneur, you miss out on all of this.

For me, becoming an actual entrepreneur meant traveling the world, meeting amazing people, and creating a life I love. I would have missed all of this if I had stayed a wantrapreneur.

How to avoid being a wantrapreneur

Here’s how you can avoid being a wantrapreneur.

1. Set a launch date (and stick to it)

Pick a specific date to launch something – even if it’s not perfect.

Mark it on your calendar. Tell others about it. Create accountability.

When I finally committed to a launch date for my website, it forced me to focus on what truly mattered instead of tweaking insignificant details.

2. Start small

Your first product doesn’t need to be comprehensive. Create a minimum viable product to get feedback.

My first summit wasn’t perfect. The branding wasn’t flawless. But it worked, and it gave me real data on what my audience wanted.

3. Find accountability

Partner with someone who will hold you to your commitments.

Join mastermind groups. Work with a coach. Find an accountability buddy who will check in on your progress.

Having someone who expects results from you can be the difference between action and continued procrastination.

4. Implement before consuming more

For every piece of content you consume, implement at least one thing before moving on.

I used to jump from course to course, webinar to webinar. Now I follow a simple rule: take action on what I’ve learned before consuming more information.

5. Track actions, not just learning

Measure what you’ve actually done, not just what you’ve learned.

Create a simple action tracker. At the end of each week, review what concrete steps you’ve taken toward your business goals.

6. Embrace imperfection

Accept that your first launch won’t be perfect – and that’s okay.

Perfectionism is often just fear in disguise. Real entrepreneurs know that done is better than perfect.

7. Set smaller milestones

Break your big business goals into tiny, achievable steps.

Instead of “launch a summit,” focus on “contact five potential speakers this week.”

Small wins build momentum that carries you forward.

The mindset shift: from wantrapreneur to entrepreneur

Becoming an entrepreneur requires more than just tactics – it requires a fundamental shift in how you think:

• From consumption to creation
• From perfection to progress
• From someday to today
• From what-if to let’s try
• From fear of failure to lessons learned

This mindset shift doesn’t happen overnight. But with each action you take, you reinforce your identity as a doer, not just a dreamer.

When I finally made this shift after my brother’s passing, everything changed. I stopped seeing obstacles as reasons to quit and started seeing them as problems to solve.

Success stories: former wantrapreneurs who made it

I’m not the only one who made the leap from wantrapreneur to successful entrepreneur:

• Pat Flynn spent months learning about online business before finally launching his first ebook
• Marie Forleo had multiple false starts before committing fully to her business
• Jon Morrow worked on his blog for months before having the courage to publish

The common thread? They all reached a point where they decided to stop preparing and start doing.

FAQ

Your next steps

The line between wantrapreneur and entrepreneur is simple: action.

Everyone starts somewhere. Even the most successful entrepreneurs begin with small steps.

What matters is that they start.

Are you ready to move from wantrapreneur to entrepreneur? Here’s exactly what to do next:

Your 7-Day Action Plan:

Day 1: Commit to One Idea

Choose the ONE business idea you’re going to pursue. Write it down and commit to it for at least 90 days.

Day 2: Set your launch date

Pick a specific date to launch something – anything – related to your business. Put it on your calendar.

Day 3: Define your minimum viable product

What’s the simplest version of your offering you could create? Define it clearly.

Day 4: Create an action list

Break down the steps needed to create your MVP. Be specific and realistic.

Day 5: Find cccountability

Reach out to someone who will hold you accountable. Share your plan and launch date.

Day 6: Take one significant action

Do something that moves your business forward. Contact a potential client, create content, or build part of your product.

Day 7: Review and recommit

Look at what you’ve accomplished and what’s next. Commit to another week of action.

The journey from wantrapreneur to entrepreneur isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

I know because I’ve lived it.

Now it’s your turn. What action will you take today?