2. They see money as a way to make more money

For most people when it comes to money, whether it's by winning the lottery or receiving a bonus, the first impulse is to spend it on something frivolous like a new car. When entrepreneurs receive an influx of money, they find a smart way to invest it in a business opportunity that can yield an even higher return. This self-restraint becomes a habit.

"Well after they've made a fortune, most self-made wealthy people remain comparatively frugal; their lifestyles may be lavish, but they're almost always spending much less than they earn," said Oliver Emberton, founder of British software company Silktide.

3. They have healthy egos

Entrepreneurs often choose their vocations because they want to be their own bosses. The idea of being deferential to someone else is not a concept that appeals to entrepreneurs.

They will often go to extraordinary lengths to prove their detractors wrong – going out and building their own business from the ground up being just one of those lengths.