Student Insights for Entrepreneur Interviews
Entrepreneur insights and perceptions related to their businesses were obtained through interviews conducted by students. Student insights and reflections regarding the interview process are shown on this page.
Simply scroll down the page to view. They are shown with the most recent reflections appearing first.
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| One of the most meaningful things was that I got to know more about small business from a personal perspective. It's crazy how much this one individual has to know about a business in order to keep it going. That includes financial information as well as dealing with employees and overhead. There is a lot to it. It made me build a whole new respect for entrepreneurs. They must sacrifice a lot and that's including time with family and time for personal life. Another thing I felt was meaningful is that I learned a new side about a family member and his business. I knew he owned and ran it for as long as I could remember, but seeing everything first hand that he has to go through is very motivating. I mean this in that in order to get well ahead in life, hard work is a must. He works harder than anyone I know to run his business and it pays off. So in my eyes I look up to that as motivation to do well for myself so I'm able to support my own family one day and give them everything. Listening to his work ethic was very inspiring as well because he just seemed very passionate about his business and his employees. He treats them like family and in turn they treat him with the utmost respect. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-07 23:23:46 |
| I had a chance to talk to my aunt (an elder) openly about business and more importantly, like an equal, she treated me not as a lower generation but spoke to me, to me, like a partner, a colleague, this moved me the most. I have a business degree and most answers were not surprising to me but hearing it from an actual successful business woman was so much more sincere. It doesn’t much how much “book smarts” I have, it doesn’t matter how well I can compose business plans and marketing strategy reports, it all means nothing if I cant be a good person, and a good example to the people I come in contact with. No one will respect or want anything to do with me after an initial visit. Before starting a business, I need to be confident with the choices I make and be confident in dealing with all the hardship I shall encounter, and most importantly, I need to be confident I will be a good person. Much like the video we watched in class, good character is all I want the next time I find a magical lantern with a genie inside. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-07 23:25:47 |
| One of the things that I liked about this project is that I got to learn about the way someone started their own business. It was interesting to hear that the person I interviewed came from a different country but was still able to succeed in having their own business. I'm glad I was able to get advice as well. I would like to start my own business someday and this information can help me avoid some mistakes when starting it. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 00:19:18 |
| I think the most meaningful thing for me in this project is the fact that this owner came from being just an average Joe who doesn't have a formal education, and with some observation and a good idea that have already existed, he was able to transform himself into a business owner. I am both a full time college student and a full time employee. I cannot see myself working as an employee for the rest of my life and I want to make a lot of money having to call my own shots. I want to create jobs and tell other people what to do, not the other way around. Having interview the owner of the tea shop allowed me to see that even though some small business may seem easy to build up and manage, starting up and maintaining a business is extremely difficult and requires a lot of money. I am glad I got the insight of one of the primary reason that business fail is because they leverage too much and go into too much debt that they can't pull out. I do not want want to waste my time doing something that has a small chance of survival. In that case I learn that I must stick with my day job, save as much as I can, and keep my eyes out for opportunities to come. Thank you |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 00:31:52 |
| This project was very insightful, it helped me explore and learn new ways of thinking about business ideas. Talking to someone who has been through all the trials of first starting a business was very calming. The reason being is that starting a business can be very hectic and frustrating when it comes to finding out how you are going to gain financial support also wondering how you are going to establish yourself. When you ca actually sit down and talk to someone who has been down that road and listening to their words of wisdom and guidance is way easier then trying to do it completely on your own. Sometimes people get so caught up in wanting to start a business they forget to focus on the tactics of things and their business tends to fail. So having to do this project and finding someone that can help direct you on different paths you can make are really beneficial. This is not just another project or paper you have to write, it much more. This information this person gave you can help guide you through your own start up and show you what will work and wont. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 01:49:32 |
| I believe the most meaningful part of this project was his whole speech about positivity because it is true. Whatever business you are starting 99% of the time it's already been done so everyone is gonna ask what makes you so special? And the way he broke it down let me know I can't let other opinions dictate my dreams. Yes I can take constructive criticism and make changes to how I approach my business but at the end of the day if I believe it will succeed it will. He explained how at times he feels he should give up whether it's him being broke or at a creative stand still. But his determination from when he opened this business is still strong in him and he can never see himself quitting without fulfilling his goals. I believe any business person with that mindset has already succeeded. I also thought the finance aspect was meaningful. I save now but I always save for certain goals. Like I save enough money to get a car then I buy the car and have no savings. I don't think about having back up money for those months where you don't make sales and it's not like I'm just taking out of my pocket, if I have employees I have to pay them and if I don't have enough that breeds bad business for me and may prevent others from wanting to work with me. And plus extra money is never a bad thing and can also allow you to do more. As they say it takes money to make money and that statement was solidified by this interview. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 02:49:33 |
| I learned alot in my interview. For one it takes alot of planning it is not something you just want to jump in with both feet right away. Secondly you must have the money to do all these things to prepare before you even think about starting. Third I learned even though you my have a sole proprietorship there is alot of people involved. (family, employees, vendors, the city, ect.)So way before you start you have to do alot of networking. Talking to other bussiness owners and getting to know the vendors you may be needing to work with in the future is a good start. That way you can pick and choose who you want to do business with. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 07:38:07 |
| This project is very helpful for me. The businessman who I interview is my father. I usually don’t know what topic I can talk with him. I never talk to him about his business that I may receive and carry on, so it gets me a big chance to understand it. At this project I know more about what my father business is. My father is very happy that I ask him. He also tells me that he and my mom’s struggle story. No job is easy in the beginning. Especially, you don’t have enough money. I need to consider many factors like money, market, technique, machines, and credit. Thos factors also decide my target to get into what this type of business. When you decide it, you need to face many challenges. The market’s environment changes every day. Now, the economical decline is seriously, so to develop and find new customers and market is most important target. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 07:58:23 |
| The most meaningful thing about this project was, getting closser to my boss and understanding better the franchise that I work for. When you work for someone everything looks easy but you actually dont see how hard is to own your own business, and all the stress they have to deal with. Its also a very good oportunity to start thinking about my future and opening my own location. like my boss said the only way to make money is having your own business. This project is opening my eyes to my financial future!. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 08:45:32 |
| The most meaningful thing to me out of all this was how sometimes it just comes down to your drive for something. It doesn't matter what your current circumstance is but whether or not you have the tenacity to go out and actually want to do better. It all comes down to whether your going to fight or flight and in situations where you feel like your back is against the wall I learned it's better to fight. Odds are if you fight back your going to win because no situation is too hard for you to handle. And there is always an option for you to get out no matter how slim the pickings may seem. Sometimes it's just about thinking outside of the box instead of waiting for somebody to come along and give you something. You have to want it for yourself more than anybody else. |
| Date Submitted: 2010-04-08 09:18:07 |
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