Very Short Interview, Part 2

Looking back on the initial assignment at the beginning of the semester, I would say that I still agree with the answers that Joe Runk had provided me on my questions concerning what it means to be an entrepreneur and the like. It was interesting to see how what he has said seems so applicable now that I have taken this entrepreneurship course. I think that the questions I asked him were pretty broad, probably because I did not know much about entrepreneurship coming into this class. But now that I have taken this class I feel that I can ask more in-depth and narrower questions.

I am unable to record the interview with Mr. Runk since he lives several hours away, so I will write down what our conversation consisted of.

1. Did it take a long time for your business to be successful?

"Since my business has a very niche market specializing in a specific branch of commercial real estate and business, it was not entirely that difficult to get the business going. Of course, finding clients and establishing credibility was a little slow in the beginning, but because of my previous work at bank doing finance, I was able to bring in existing clients into my new business."

2. How did you think of your business idea?

"I thought of my business idea when I was working at a bank and found an unmet need that arose almost everyday during my work at my old job. I thought to myself about how to fulfill that need and create a business around it and then I went for it. I have always wanted to have my own business and be my own boss."

3. How were you able to keep your business successful and thriving after so many years?

"Innovation and thinking outside the box was certainly key while making my business grow and keeping it going. Reaching out to other clients and establishing great connections with existing clients has definitely contributed to the success of my company."


I was certainly more comfortable speaking with Joe now about his business than I was during the first interview, since I feel that I have more of a bearing about creating a business and entrepreneurship. I think he was very impressed with the amount of information I gained during the course of the semester, which reinforced my pre-existing thoughts of how much I learned this semester. I think that after this class I sounded more confident and was able to carry on a less awkward and more fluid conversation concerning his entrepreneurial work.