As markets get whipsawed by news coming out of Europe and the Far East, we often get asked by our clients, "How does this affect me?" Last week, my colleague, Peter Churchill-Smith wrote about the effect that Greece can have on business owners in Canada. This week, we turn our attention to China.

As investment managers, we have no shortage of pundits willing to tell us their views on the economic landscape. One of the advantages of working with entrepreneurs is being able to speak to people who are on the ground and experiencing firsthand the massive build up in production and pent up demand for goods in China.

At Newport Partners, our perspective is always the same - how does an issue affect the personal and business affairs of our entrepreneur clients and their families?

It was very evident last week that investors were looking past Greece's debt woes to the much larger fiscal problems in Europe. Bold measures were needed to calm the waters ...and fast! The authorities sent a forceful message to the market - "we will do what has to be done".

What does it take to succeed as an entrepreneur?

It's a question that one third of Canadians are contemplating apparently.

That's how many dream of running their own business according to a recent Angus Reid poll.

What's the appeal? The main reason, according to the survey, is so they'll have greater control over their own destiny. Other reasons include not having to work for someone else, and being able to make more money than working on a salary.

But what about passion?...