Introduction

When one decides to become an entrepreneur there are many things that they must consider before taking on this daunting task. As an entrepreneur, one must create an idea that is packed with innovation and creativity. By having this creativity and innovation an entrepreneur can accommodate the needs and fix problems attached to the public. Becoming an entrepreneur also comes with risks and rewards. An entrepreneur must be willing to take risks that are calculated to keep their business in check and from filing for bankruptcy. An entrepreneur is granted the ability to have more freedom and flexibility rather than someone working for a specific company. But this freedom and flexibility is not guaranteed, an entrepreneur must be able to accept responsibility for when their business succeeds or fails. Being an entrepreneur is just one big learning experience for those who accept this fate. By accepting this fate, the person can learn many things that allow them to keep their business afloat as well as modify it to accommodate to the public and market trends. With this said being an entrepreneur is no easy task, but interviewing one grants a better understanding of how they go running a business. This paper will show an analysis of a current entrepreneur and how they go about running a business. This analysis will be shown with seven questions that were asked of this specific entrepreneur.

The Entrepreneur and his Business

When looking for someone to interview for this assignment I was able to choose a person that owned a business that was personally connected with my family members. The person that I was able to interview was Larry Harper and his business is named Harper Electric Inc. Larry Harper’s business is in Virginia, more specifically on the island of Chincoteague. Harper created his business in 1992 and it is still operating. While interviewing Mr. Harper I was able to gain some insight into what his motivations were for creating Harper Electric Inc. One of the most driving motivations that Mr. Harper mentioned was that an electrician is always going to be in demand whether from a simple outlet fix to a larger project in which he must completely wire a brand-new house or commercial building. On top of the motivation that he would always have work no matter the size of the job, he also mentioned that he was motivated by the fact that he could grow a massive reputation with the residents of Chincoteague Island. With Chincoteague Island only having a population of 3,400 this allows Harper to connect more directly with each resident. Harper mentioned that by forming these strong connections with the residents of Chincoteague he can spread recognition of his business to potential customers as well as potential employees who would like to work for his company. On top of the motivations, I also asked Mr. Harper about the requirements for this line of work as well as the challenges of growing an electrical business. When it came to starting a business in this line of work, Harper stated various requirements like a copious amount of knowledge in electrical engineering, electrical certifications, and insurance. Mr. Harper put an emphasis that being an electrician is extremely dangerous so when it comes to requirements one must take them seriously to produce a service that protects its customers as well as themselves. When it came to growing the electrical business, he stated that it majorly depends on the location as well as the number of competitors. He mentioned that Chincoteague Island was a perfectly suitable place for his business because there were few competitors to go against, which allowed him to gain connections among the residents and grow the reputation of his business. 

Questions about the Entrepreneurship

During the interview with Larry Harper, I was able to ask him several questions to which he was able to give answers regarding aspects of being an entrepreneur. The question that I started with was what you enjoy the most about being an entrepreneur. His response was short but meaningful, in which he stated that he enjoyed the growth of his company amongst the residents of Chincoteague. He mentioned that over the years he was able to provide a service that residents could depend on, which allowed them to trust the work he offered. This not only granted him boosts in his reputation but the creation of loyalty among the residents, who quickly recommended him to other people seeking electrical services. Next, was the question of how one produces innovative ideas as an entrepreneur. Mr. Harper responded that producing innovative ideas as an entrepreneur is driven by the ability to satisfy customers as well as the ability to follow market trends. With this response, I was able to see that he strives to provide a service that is reliable and consistent. With a reliable and consistent service, he can satisfy customers as well as accommodate the ever-changing market. The next question consisted of what makes an entrepreneur successful. Harper talked highly of two aspects that were key to success, which were hard work and dedication. He stated that hard work is needed to become a successful entrepreneur because without it an entrepreneur can lose sight of dedication. Both these aspects were held highly by Mr. Harper, meaning that these acted as a powerful base of success for his company. Staying around the topic of success I then asked him about the factors that are needed for a successful leader. To which he responded that there needs to be a pursuit of respect and resilience. With the pursuit of respect, he mentioned that it allows you and customers to form a sense of honesty with one another. With this respect formed, he stated that resilience then follows due to the fact you and the customer have formed a connection. With both honesty and resilience challenges that may arise between you and the customer can be solved quickly and positively. The next two questions I asked Harper were along the lines: what the hardest part of being an entrepreneur is and how does one deal with fear and doubt? Harper’s response to the first question was facing the uncertainties that are generated along the way. He mentioned that uncertainty is always present, especially in his line of work, so proper precautions are needed. Harper’s response to the second question was my personal favorite in which he said the best way to deal with fear and doubt is to take risks and not look back. He went on to say that this method allowed him to keep pushing forward no matter what challenges were thrown his way. The final question that I asked Harper was like what advice he would give to someone trying to start a business. Harper responded by saying that being an entrepreneur is challenging but having a strong mind as well as strong resilience will lead you to success. He went on to say mistakes will happen but one must not quit after one failure, these failures allow one to grow instances of success even if they are small. 

Overall Conclusion of the Interview

The interview with Mr. Harper was a splendid opportunity to gain some insight into how an entrepreneur operates as well as how one brings about success within a business. The examination of Mr. Harper and his business gave me the ability to find meaning in the responses he gave. Harper’s responses not only shed light on how entrepreneurs should interact with customers but also how entrepreneurs tackle uncertainty, fear, and doubt. By listening and examining these responses from Harper I was able to learn valuable lessons that can help me jump-start the instance in which I would like to pursue entrepreneurship. The most valuable lesson learned from Harper’s response was that failure is something that affects all entrepreneurs no matter what line of work they operate in. But this failure is not a sign to quit, it is an opportunity to improve and push forward to better oneself as well as the business. This continued drive to improve and push forward allows an entrepreneur to grow mentally and physically, in which they can create a service or product that is a necessity in society.