A good idea has certainly helped many companies like skype, ebay, amazon, etc, but innovation doesn't necessarily mean you are the first mover. there is much evidence to support being the 2nd or 3rd mover in an idea. The 1st mover usually makes lots of mistakes and those that follow can learn from those mistakes and improve the idea.

What really matters is execution of the idea. Whether the idea was yours or you stole it, efficient execution is what defines the success. Do you think Ford was the first car? Do you think Boeing was the first airplane? Do you think Standard Oil was the first oil producer? Do you think Dell was the first PC maker? Of course not. They all stole the idea from someone else, but just executed it better than anyone. That is why those are all famous household names. Even though Standard Oil no longer exists in that name, I think most people still know the name.

Passion is certainly important. I don't think you will find too many uber success stories where the entrepreneur was not passionate about his vision. But this vision needs to be articulated in your business. Standard Oil's vision was to provide cheap energy for the masses. JD Rockefeller didn't love oil, he wanted to realize his vision. I seriously doubt Michael Dell was passionate about computers. He was passionate about creating something different; a mass produce custom order system.

In my case, I am passionate about entrepreneurship and capitalism. I don't love forming LLC's and trusts and setting up offshore bank accounts. I am passionate about helping other entrepreneurs and investors maximize their wealth and minimze their risks. I use asset protection strategies to help them accomplish this. I am passionate about my belief in capitalism and a free market economy and I think entrepreneurs and investors are the drivers of capitalism.