Very Short Interview, Part 2

In my first interview, I think I did a fairly good job of asking him questions about his business, however, I may have taken these to my customers and caused these questions to be partially bias. Overall, I think I got very good information from this entrepreneur.

I interviewed a business owner in my hometown when I was home, and therefore, I called him to speak to him but was unable to record the interview. However, I asked him the following questions and his responses are as follows.

1. What's the best part about your endeavors and business?
         I think the best part is definitely the people. Because its a family business, our customers are our priority and we get to know them on a personal basis. I can get all the money and success in the world, but the people is what really makes it worth it.
2. Do you have any regrets about the way you handled something or a decision you made in your business?
       I think the only regret I have would be expanding like I did. We expanded to four other locations which gave us great returns, however, it didn't feel like it should. It was a small family business and sometimes I wish I had kept it that way, you know? It's kind of like when a mom-and-pop business or restaurant adds locations... it doesn't feel like it should. But I guess it is what it is so I think I'm supposed to say no regrets.
3. What does the future of your business look like?
        Well I ultimately hope to keep it in the family. My great grandfather began the business years ago, passed it to my grandfather who passed it to my father, and well... you get the idea. I hope one of my 3 sons or my daughter feels the passion I do about the business and yearns to keep it. However, that is not my decision to make for them, so if they do decide not to I will eventually sell it if absolutely no one in the family wants to take over.

I think my comfort level has tremendously increased. I was very surprised by how easy this was for me. In the past, this sort of thing kind of intimidated me. I dreaded the assignments like this however, this time, it seemed simpler and I think this comes purely from experience and the act of "doing" rather than "watching" or "listening."