Entrepreneurial Interviews

Full Answer Section

What lessons have you learned upon establishing your company?

• Why it's good: This captures the wisdom gained through experience. It's a key question for learning from their journey.
• Potential addition: "What's the most unexpected lesson you've learned?"

How has your faith played a role in your success?

• Why it's good: This explores the personal values and beliefs that guide their business. (Note: Only ask this if it is appropriate for the context of the interview, and if you are sure that it will not make the interviewee uncomfortable.)
• Potential variations: "How do your personal values influence your business decisions?" or "How do you maintain a strong ethical compass in your business?"

Where and how do you see yourself five or ten years from now?

• Why it's good: This reveals their vision and long-term goals. It provides insight into their aspirations and growth strategy.
• Potential addition: "What are the biggest changes you anticipate in your industry over the next decade?"

What advice can you give to others so that they, too, can become successful business owners in their own right?

• Why it's good: This captures their key takeaways and provides actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Potential addition: "What's the one piece of advice you wish you had received when you were starting out?"

What tools or knowledge would be critical for students wanting to start a business?

• Why it's good: This provides practical guidance and identifies essential skills and resources.
• Potential variations: "What specific skills or areas of knowledge have been most crucial to your success?" or "What are the most important resources that a starting entrepreneur needs?"

Would you be willing to share your story with other students in the future?

• Why it's good: This opens the door for future collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Potential addition: "Would you be willing to mentor students interested in entrepreneurship?"

Additional Tips:

• Follow-up questions: Be prepared to ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into their answers.
• Active listening: Pay close attention to their responses and show genuine interest.
• Build rapport: Create a comfortable and conversational atmosphere.
• Record the interview: With their permission, record the interview to ensure accurate transcription.
• Thank them: Express your gratitude for their time and insights.

By using these questions and tips, you'll be able to conduct insightful and engaging entrepreneurial interviews.

Sample Solution

These are excellent interview questions for entrepreneurs! They cover a wide range of topics, from motivation and challenges to faith and future vision. Here's a breakdown of why they're effective and some slight variations or additions you might consider:

Why did you want to start your business/purchase a franchise?

• Why it's good: This gets to the core motivation. Understanding the "why" reveals the passion and drive behind the venture.
• Potential addition: "Was there a specific moment or experience that solidified your decision?"

How did you get started?

• Why it's good: This explores the practical steps taken, giving insights into the initial stages of entrepreneurship.
• Potential addition: "What was your initial business plan, and how much did it change?"

What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome to get your business going?

• Why it's good: This reveals the challenges and resilience required. It provides valuable lessons about problem-solving.
• Potential addition: "Looking back, would you have approached any of those obstacles differently?"