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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| This project has not only been a complete eye opening experience to me, but has also taught me multiple tools and techniques that were originated to run a retail-type store, but may be transferred into a myriad of business models. Being diligent, resourceful, and aggressive are common motifs that my boss Pedro- who actually recently changed his name to Pete for customers/people just meeting him ti have an easier time pronouncing his name- wanted me to capitalize on. One major lesson he insured to install into my knowledge was that when it comes down to customers, you cannot place everyone so mainly focus on the target customer Another excellent lesson that I learned from this opportunity is that you must always strive to be better than you were last year or the year before that; never allow progress to be stagnant for once that process begins you are actually starting a process where your business is slowly losing its customer base and therefore is dying. I just want to take the time to thank you professor for this wonderful time and excellent opportunity to learn more about business and in particular, a business i am currently working at and see as home. I now have a transferable business model for whatever i may need it for |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 08:47:25 |
| This project was most meaningful to me because it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and talk to an entrepreneur about how they run their business. It is the first time that I have talked to someone in this capacity. I was able to find out information that is both useful and not readily available to me. I was pleasantly surprised when the entrepreneur that I interviewed was very open and detailed when answering the questions I had. I was impressed with how passionate the person was about their business and could tell that she believed that her company was doing something positive. I was able to learn strategies that I would use for my own business. This project was also meaningful to me because the entrepreneur gave me advice that I found useful. It became quite apparent to me during the interview that I am currently not ready to start my own business. Although this is true I do not see it as something negative. Actually, it is a very positive thing because I am now aware of many things that were not on my radar before the interview. I learned order to start a successful business you cannot have any holes in your plan. You have to be aware of everything around you and be able to utilize the resources that are available to you. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 09:36:29 |
| The most meaningful thing about this project was probably the professional way I went about it. It really built my confidence having a well organized professional interview set up. I talked with confidence and developed an awesome relationship with the CEO. I was a little nervous, but once I sat down with him, it all went smooth. The interview really helped me and now I feel I can create a smooth business conversation with any entrepreneur. Another Thing that was meaningful to me was his ability to open up to me. He let me in on a lot of inside information that most employee's of the company don't even know. I may have to give credit to my professionalism and politeness for his willingness to answer my questions. I felt as if he trusted me and is if I was his business partner. It certainly was a pleasant experience. I hope to be in his position one day. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 10:31:16 |
| This project was quite meaningful to me. I really enjoyed doing this project. I find it very inspiring to see someone succeeding in a profession that they love. Ever since I was little I’ve always wanted to have my own bakery, and this project gave me some of the knowledge that I will need when I finally open up my own. I think it’s very important for me to get advice from someone who is a professional and has experience in an area like mines. I think it gave me better insight as to what I will have to go through once I open up my own business. The best advice she gave me was to learn to perfect my skill, and to continue to strive for perfection. You can’t really rely on other people for your success, but it is solely up to you. Doing this project made me look up to someone who is fulfilling their dreams. I admire people greatly who work for themselves. As of right now I don’t really know all the steps I need to take, but taking this class and interviewing someone who has achieved the goal of opening a successful shop opened my eyes to what I need to do. Anything is possible and you don’t have to build someone else’s dream. All you need to do is believe in yours. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 13:19:44 |
This project has given me the chance to learn from a successful small business, allowing me to receive great insight on how to start and run a business. I have learned so much about running the type of business I am most interested in creating. Everything from how to start up and finance a business to actually running and adapting to customers’ needs. I have know Danny Tran for about 4 years now but this has given me some great insight about his business and helped me realized that him and I are very similar in a lot of ways. Danny gave me some great advice that could help anyone trying to start a business from scratch. Don’t be afraid of using the internet and other sales techniques to expand your customer base. 70% of Danny’s sales are done through eBay. Connecting him straight to his customers all over the world. He also helped me realize that you need to start small and slowly grow. Danny made it clear to not let myself get overwhelmed too quickly when starting. I am very grateful to having had the chance to pick the brain of a successful small business owner. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 13:56:05 |
| One of the most important things I learned is to make sure you do enough research and gather enough resources to start the business. First off checking to see if the business you’re going into is even profitable for you. Then to check what your potential competition is doing to sustain their flow of customers and income. Trying to make your business unique will be easier if you plan this way. Your product has to be distinguishable from the competitions. I agree with all that so far. She also said pay close attention to yelp and see what people are saying not only about your business but other businesses as well. Be patient and diligent and you should make your return back in a year and a half. Another thing I learned is great customer service; strong marketing and location are three very important things that will help maintain your business. She kept emphasizing how customer service was key to a successful business. I would have to agree seeing as I worked in the food industry for quite some time. Sometimes things get a little hectic and if all hands aren’t on deck, it will frustrate the other workers. With Her business she doesn’t have that problem; even the general manager handles the service like a regular crew member. She also said because her business is new, she needs market it very well. I myself seen a guy on the corner of grand and Amar waving a pizza box around saying that her establishment was in that plaza and is now open. She jokes and says “without marketing no-one even knows that you exist” that’s very important. Location was one of her biggest worries she said. She joked and said “you can’t open a Japanese restaurant in a Mexican neighborhood.” I can partially agree on that. I think the best place to open something like that would be somewhere where there is a lot of commerce of other business that are close that have nothing to do with food. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 15:02:25 |
| What is most meaningful to me about this project is how I discovered the importance of networking and building relationships. After the interview, I was talking to the owner about how a few of his friends bought land for cheap and turned it into an amazing studio workplace (Pomona Packing Plant). He was also talking to me about how I can make smart decisions about my current business venture (Haunted Attraction). Also he explained how important marketing is in his business and how he can reach out to people to purchase tickets from him. He also emphasised the importance of growth in sales and the company. I would like to apply most of these things that he has talked about to my own entrepreneurial venture. After figuring out that the most important thing for his business was to grow and constantly increase sales, It made me realize that I needed to change up the way I wanted to run my business. Originally I wanted to have a single haunted attraction, but now I realize that I need to grow each year, not only by making the attraction larger, but by adding one or two more and making it an event rather than having only one thing to do. This event is going to consist of some entertainment, three haunted attractions, food and games. I feel that this will be a lot more appealing to people when deciding whether to choose our attraction over others. Also, bundling up this package and charging a little more would look more attractive. Haunted attractions are typically overpriced ($15) for one attraction. If this event were to expand to what I would like it to be, we could charge more ($30), but attendees will have no problem with it because of the bundle that they are getting. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 16:02:33 |
| The most meaningful thing I got from this project was all the hard work that goes on in every single business. Its much more than attracting customers and selling items, you must also be aware of competition in your surroundings and how to be better than your opponents. With all the new technology there is so much help you can get through websites as the business owner I interviewed regularly went on certain websites so keep up with certain trends that were going on in the transportation business. I learned that in every business the amount of competition is growing so you have to adjust extremely fast if you want your business to be successful. This interview taught me many tips on financing and asking out for loans when I was doing the interview I felt as if I too could start my own business and I started thinking of all the possible stores I would love to open, having my own retailer store would be incredible or even opening up a sports store I feel extremely confident in those areas and I feel I would adjust to any competition. Reaching out to successful business men gives you the opportunity to understand how it all works, what to watch out for, what to do in a crisis and who too look for in case you need help with anything. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 16:15:51 |
| I learned that to start a business not only do you need a strong business plan, but you also need money to make money. Learning how to attract customers to your store is also very important because without customers, you wont be making any money. Keeping updated with what’s happening in the world currently is also very important because you need to be aware of the new trend and learn from other entrepreneurs on how they succeeded and where they’ve failed. A lot of products are being imported and exported on a daily basis so being aware of the procedures needed to receive and send goods are essential to running a successful business. Along with learning the laws and how to receive loans to start your business, you also need to be well connected with people in that market. Even if you have the greatest product, people would not know about it if they don’t hear about it. So with this being said, marketing is key to any business. Marketing is what brings in customers and keeps the people updated on what hot and what not. I’ve learned from this project that starting a business is a great way to make a future for yourself but you also need to dedicate a lot of time and work into it. |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 18:36:42 |
| The most meaningful thing about this project to me, was the fact that no matter where you are born or raise, weather you are homeless and without money, there is always a way to come up and make something out of your life. That was the most meaningful part of this project, when you want something you work hard to get it no matter if no result are seeing in the beginning, eventually they will show and something good will come out of everything you did. I was motivated by the entrepreneur because he started from the bottom with nothing just a plan in mind, and now he is very successful in his business. Also, I was told if I ever needed help or advice, to come see him any time. That personally means a lot to me because I just made a life long friend that I can turn to for advice and help. Whenever I want to start my business I can go to him and ask him questions so that he can guide me and tell me which way to go. That means a lot to me because this is my future and my goal, if I never met with the entrepreneur I would have never know what I know now. That I have somebody to turn to when I am in need of a mentor |
| Date Submitted: 2013-10-24 18:49:50 |
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