Creating a new business is a challenging and complex task. The road to entrepreneurial success is long, winding and strewn with pitfalls, obstacles and blind turns. The risks of starting a new business are high, as illustrated by the high failure rates for new ventures. However, as is always the case, the rewards are commensurate with the risk: in addition to the psychic rewards of starting a business, witness the dominance of entrepreneurs in the Forbes 400 list.