Jennifer
Im hoping a few business owners could answer these questions as best as they can! I'm doing a bit it of research on entrepreneurs and would be extreme grateful for any responses! Thank you!
1.)What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business?
2.)How did the idea for your business come about?
3.)How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
4.) How important have good employees been to your success?
5.) What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
6.)If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
7.)What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
8.)What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
9.)How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
10.)How many hours do you work a day on average?
11.)Describe/outline your typical day?
12.)How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
13.)What motivates you? How do you generate new ideas? How far are you willing to go to succeed?
14.)What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
15.)What are your ideals?
16.)How do you define success?
17.)Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it ? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
18.)How do you build a successful customer base?
19.)How did you decide on the location for your business?
20.)Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
21.)If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
3 answers
Ernie Binder
Ernie’s Answer
Jennifer,
Great questions. My spark was ignited after I retired. I was bored and wanted to continue working. My last employer had specific rules about hiring retires, therefore I decided to compete against them. I worked for a large US defense contractor. I found many employees from my former employer. My advice to college students who have the entrepreneur bug is simple go do it. I waited far too long. I had an opportunity early in my career to join a startup, but passed due to just getting married. I should have created my company much earlier. There is always a very substantial risk, but with risk there is greater reward. I suggest that you select the best and brightest to support you, listen to those around you, and be aggressive and know when to go into sales mode. Running my business is a full-time job. When I worked for a large company my job did not stop after 8 hours, nor does my business. I live by the rule, work hard, but play harder. Relaxation is needed to rebuild your drive, don’t wear yourself down. Balance is the key to life. Being an entrepreneur has made my life a lot more stressful only because the buck stops with me. I am responsible for my employees and their families as well. My motivations are to do an excellent job every time and have my customers want more. My ideas are driven by the art of the possible. I try to keep on top of every innovative technology and think about how it can be leveraged in new and diverse ways. Success is making a comfortable living where I don’t have to budget my wants and needs. My customer base has been built one success at a time. The road is long. There are no easy answers. Provide a quality product at fair price and your customers will help you grow. Talking to one person in history is a tuff one. There are so many great entrepreneurs or engineering greats. I am an IT System of Systems Architect by trade and I think I would have to go with Leonardo da Vinci. His interests were many, but he was well known for his technological ingenuity. He conceptualized flying machines, armored vehicles, solar power and adding machines. He was a man before his time. I love his diversity from painting to engineering. I have tried to be a generalist in life. Knowing a little about everything and trying to see the bigger picture and how it could be different. I hope this helps you. The sooner you set out on your journey the better. There is no time like the present. Seize the day.
Tyrus Morring
Tyrus’s Answer
Hi Jennifer,
My spark was initiated after my first home economics class in middle school (feels like 100 years ago). From making my first tote bag, I wanted to make my own clothes. A friend of mine loved my fashion sense and thought that my style of dress was very mature and that men could learn a thing or two from me. I would have continued to make my bow ties and pocket squares regardless if anyone wanted to buy them or not. Yet, when others take an interest in your passion, what they are really saying is that your unique expression(s) is what makes you standout from the rest and that's what they want. All the best to you.
Roberto Vergara
Roberto’s Answer
Hello! In my experiences in business besides the passion that I have for my Music.
Everything starts with a simple thought, then imagine every single corner how it should be in your mind.
Then it goes into your heart, with passion!!!
That will make you very happy and your excitement will be contagious, any where that you go!
Dream about it, tell your idea to everybody!!
But...WARNING...!!! Do not trust anybody!! Do not take any Blind Chances!!
Good Luck!