Abstract
The vast majority of businesses initiated by entrepreneurs originated as micro or small businesses. These businesses are usually started and entrepreneurially managed by one person. They can grow and become larger small businesses or even medium and large businesses if the entrepreneur does not become a manager. The entrepreneur has a distinctly different mindset from that of the manager or bureaucrat, but often the entrepreneur becomes complacent with a specific level of achievement in his or her business. The entrepreneur then becomes the content manager of a small business who is averse to risk, change and innovation. The entrepreneurial business is then replaced by a managerially focused small business. It also often happens that ideas are good and the people behind them are competent but don't know how to manage a business and have no underlying appreciation of business fundamentals. The business then fails due to a lack of management skills and behaviour as well as knowledge regarding the different functions of a business. Businesses that have been successfully established often fail due to the entrepreneurs' inability to adapt to the changing needs of the business, which often includes a more managerial and functional approach. The true entrepreneur is a leader, adaptive, innovative and willing to take risks, but as the business grows, a more managerial style becomes necessary. This can happen when the business is small, but the challenge usually presents itself acutely when the business has become medium sized. This paper explores the nature and role of the entrepreneur as change agent in the economy and business.