Very Short Interview, Part 2

Here are the questions and responses I had in the first video with the entrepreneur.

What traits do successful entrepreneurs need to posses?

“When it comes to entrepreneurship it’s all about taking a risk. It’s the ability to step into the unknown. The most successful entrepreneurs have grit, that drive, to not let anything keep them from achieving their dream.”

What made you want to become an entrepreneur?

“I was that kid who couldn’t get on the bus to get to school. I would sit and wait at the stop and the bus would drive by me with the words ‘Full Bus’ at the top.  This was me realizing an opportunity and deciding to solve a problem.  I realized the opportunity and I decided to go after it."

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

“Similar to the first question, you have to go out and accomplish this mission, this vision.”

What do you wish you‘d taught in school before going out on your own path as an entrepreneur?

“One thing I think they should teach you in entrepreneurship is how to get over the fear of failure and rejection.  So many people don’t start business because they are afraid that they are going to fail.  If you can get over that fear of failure then you are well on your way to becoming an entrepreneur.  I also think the University needs to teach you how to start a business physically, like where to acquire licenses and the tools like QuickBooks that can help you run your business.  I think entrepreneurship classes need to teach how you actually physically start a business."

Advice for new entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs?

“  Biggest advice is to execute. Too many people have ideas, ideas are great.  You and I could sit here and come up with a list of ideas and that’s all they’re going to be unless someone actually decides to execute. When it comes to leadership and entrepreneurship it’s all about serving others.  The whole reason I got into this business was to help students, to help serve students.  Always having that mindset of serving is huge and make sure that’s why you’re getting into it.”

 From where I stand now, my perception of these questions and responses hasn't really changed at all. My impression of the first interview is that the questions were pretty broad and generalized. Unfortunately I was unable to meet up with the entrepreneur again to ask more questions. I've listed the questions that I would ask below.

 

Here are the questions:

How do you effectively capture your target market?

How do track and measure revenue and expenses?

Have you encountered any legal issues thus far? 

I think throughout this course I have grown and developed as an entrepreneur. I am much more comfortable talking about entrepreneurship than I was before. I also noticed my questions dive more into the nitty gritty of entrepreneurship whereas my previous questions were very broad and generalized. I think this class has helped me grow my understanding of entrepreneurship and has helped me become a better entrepreneur.