If you think that entrepreneurism is a new trend, you are quite mistaken. Small business ownership is a proud American tradition with its roots in the Revolutionary period of our nation. Some of our most notable Presidents were also successful business owners with businesses that flourished even while their owner was away running their new nation. Here are a few of our country’s entrepreneurial presidents as well as how they turned their solid business sense into good governing skills.

George Washington. George Washington wasn’t just a decorated general and the first president of the United States; he was also the owner of George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill. As you might expect from the name, this company produced hard alcohol, namely whiskey or whisky. In addition, Washington ran a large working farm and several fisheries. This president was a regular Renaissance man, with a variety of side projects and an admirable business success rate.

It’s easy to guess how this notable business background might have helped our first President. His project management skills were probably useful when planning the policies and procedures that would shape our proud nation. He likely had managerial skills that made him a more effective leader both on the battlefield and in the halls of Congress.

Andrew Johnson. History doesn’t have a lot to say about this President compared to many others. Could it be that his term was the unremarkable sort because of smooth sailing brought on by great leadership? Johnson began his career as the owner of a tailor shop. His interest in politics flourished when his store became a popular place to debate the issues of the day. This led to a progression from city mayor to president of the United States.

Americans love the idea of electing normal people to office, with normal sensibilities and an innate understanding of their countrymen. Andrew Johnson brought not just these traits, but also the organizational skills needed to run a small business and likely a great sense of style as well.

Herbert Hoover. Herbert Hoover’s beginnings were hardly humble. After earning a degree from the acclaimed Stanford University, Hoover used his degree in engineering to start a mining consulting firm. His daily work consisted of evaluating failing mining operations, then helping them to transform into successful, lucrative operations. These turn-around skills may have helped later when Hoover was appointed to several important positions during World War II, including director of the American Food Administration and head of the Belgian Committee for Relief. Unfortunately, even with his combination of political prowess and real life business experience Hoover was unable to turn around the Great Depression, and lost his bid for re-election as a result.

Our presidents have come from strikingly different backgrounds, but one thing that most of them share is a background in business. From George Washington to George W. Bush, the leadership skills, fiscal sense, and admirable work ethic needed to run a large corporation seem to lend themselves well to governing a nation. America’s entrepreneurial spirit lives on not just in the people, but in the leaders of the nation as well.