I remember being distinctly scared that he would think I didn't know what I was doing. There was something so humbling about being such an obvious underdog in that interview. I'm realizing how I came into the interview thinking that creating a business or idea was such an abstract thing, but in reality it's all very tangible and realistic. Doing what you love and being paid to do it is such an obvious reason to start a business. I'm wondering why I spent so much time in this class thinking up businesses that I didn't enjoy in the least. I should have decided to only consider things I'm passionate about.
How did you fall in love with woodworking?
Family reasons. When I was younger my family always made things together. That was our thing. We were a do it yourself family.
Why did you end your business?
Because sometimes when you feel like your business has reached maximum capacity and you can't go any further you have to let it go. At the end of the day you have to make enough money.
What was the biggest change in direction for your business?
The way we marketed. Eventually I had to expose myself to more people and then I was accustomed. Sometimes the people that are already around you won't be enough to keep your business afloat or growing.
Like I said earlier, I never thought up venture ideas about things I loved. I really think I held myself back from progressing a measurable amount due to that. I think Danny approached me as a more experienced entrepreneur, but I still believe there is a lot to learn from him.
William, I like how you started the conversation with how you felt intimidated and not equal to someone who has had a business. I like your questions about asking him how he got into the business, and what he had to do to possibly keep failure from happening. I am glad you learned a lot from your experience and are more adapt to interview people now on common ground. Please check out my blog here: http://soulstosteal.blogspot.com/2016/04/very-short-interview-part-2.html
ReplyDelete-Chris
Hi William,
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I don't think you should be separating yourself so much from other entrepreneurs in the sense of not seeing yourself as an equal! Different perspectives are great and you should be confident that you always have something to bring to the table. Anyways, loved the post! Here's mine: http://gonzalonunezent3003.blogspot.com/2016/04/very-short-interview-part-2.html
William,
ReplyDeleteI love your transparency in this post and it is very clear that you learned a lot from Danny!
It is always great to hear about entrepreneurs that truly love the business that they have created. I like what he said about the most difficult part being reaching out to new people and new markets.
Best of luck to you in the rest of this course. I unfortunately did not participate in this blog exercise and cannot attach the link to mine.