1. Am I an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship is the corralling and connecting dots

2. What is success?
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose. To me success is completing something you set out to do. Although success is not always measured as being the best or at the top.

3. Am I a self-starter? How well do I follow through on my ideas?
I am a self-starter in some things. Things that I really want to do I am a go getter. If it is something I struggle with it takes more self-motivation to get it done. I guess overall I am a self-starter, sometimes just a slower start.

4. How does ODU view entrepreneurship?
ODU presents the view of entrepreneurship in a more simplified fashion. It references collecting and corralling the dots. Once you have collected the dots (information) you then must corral (formulate your plan).

5. What is my role in the ecosystem?
The ecosystem provides us with food, fuel, water and other life sustaining resources. Our role to support this is anything we can do for the health and protection of the ecosystem. It is important that we realize what the ecosystem provides for us for to be able to know and understand the importance of taking care of the ecosystem.

6. What is design thinking?
A human centered approach to innovation that draws from the designers toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.

7. How has design thinking influenced a product I use?
I am a fan of Nike; Nike has a program where they use everyday people to be product testers. They have individuals that are registered to test their products based on the specific events they take part in. Nike had a running shoe that was not a comfortable product for long distance running as it was advertised. It was advertised as a sock fit and could be used without a sock. After a mile or so the stitching material caused blisters. Nike was notified and the design of the product was changed to meet the advertised specifications.

8. What are the connections between opportunities and planning?
What do you want to do, What do they want to do, How do you want to do it
Product offering (adaptation), activity system (organization), resource base (configuration)

9. What opportunities have I missed?
I had the opportunity early in my Navy career to become an Army Officer. The Department of Defense had a program called Blue to Green. At the time, my cousin was the lead Signal officer for the transition program. He had input on all packages that were submit for acceptance. Just to name one off the top of my head.

10. Can a successful venture be unethical?
Yes, there are many unethical business ventures. There are several companies that practiced unethical business practices and were extremely successful. Just to name a few: Enron, Bernard Madoff, Lehman Brothers, Tyco and HealthSouth just to name a few. These companies all gained success through unethical business practices.

11. Why do ethics matter in entrepreneurship?
Good ethics is good business. People will have trust and confidence in your business, and they will want to do business with you. Your reputation as an ethical company is probably the best advertisement you can invest in.

12. How does my own personal budget relate to an entrepreneurship budget?
The principles of budgeting are all the same. The purpose of managing your money is so you have money to pay your bills and money left for a rainy day. You have money set aside in case you have those unexpected events happen. As with a business you have to plan savings for growth and repairs in addition to having money saved if you are not working or business is slow.

13. Why do we need budgets?
Business budgeting is one of the most powerful financial tools available to any entrepreneurs. First of all, it helps the entrepreneurs to test the feasibility of the new business, so that they can revise and improve their business plans. Second, good budgeting and financial statements are one of the most important sections in a business plan that entrepreneurs will demonstrate to potential investors, employees and business partners in the startup process. The long-term plan will work as a map that guides the entrepreneurs to grow the business, and avoid major financial issues, especially running out of cash

14. What is social entrepreneurship?
Social entrepreneurship endeavors apply business principles to address social problems.
Social entrepreneurship looks to generate revenue as part of its approach to achieving social change. Accountability measured by the change created.

15. What is the most significant legal issues entrepreneurs face?
The legal form of organization

16. Why do entrepreneurs get in trouble with the law?

17. What does psychology have to do with marketing?
Psychology is about changing behavior. Marketing is too about changing behavior, the goal in marketing is to get you to change your mind about buying a product or adopt a service.

18. What types of marketing sway my decisions?
The approach of framing things in a way that I feel that I will gain something or that things are in my best interest will normally sway my decision.
19. How can I pitch ideas better?
Be sure that my product solves a problem, be sure to show that my product will be a benefit

20. What are my strengths and weaknesses in pitching?
I think I am personable and relate well to people

21. What are the connections between the disciplines addressing entrepreneurship at ODU?

22. Is entrepreneurship an art or science?
23. How is failure good?
Failure doesn’t always mean the end; it can show issues upfront and it can open way to other ideas

24. What have I earned from failing?
I have learned to be stronger. How to stay motivated and how to look at things from an out of the box way of thinking

25. What ethical issues might arise related to this innovation?

26. Describe five businesses or non-profits that have been created in my field?
IT training facilities
IT testing centers,
Kindful – a donor database and analytics platform designed to help nonprofits improve donor tracking and outreach and maximize fundraising
Mitre – a not for profit company that manages government research and development centers

Childs Play – a game industry that provides technology to children in the hospital

27. What is your overall perspective on the entrepreneurship experience?
Definitely a lot more than I ever thought it would be. I think it is definitely important to receive consultation before, during and after pursuing the path for entrepreneurship

28. How did the entrepreneurship prepare or not prepare you to be a competitive candidate for vacant positions?
It has prepared me with the knowledge of knowing how to identify opportunities, the importance of planning, ethics, marketing and how to make a pitch. Just overall the knowledge of how to sell something. Because in an interview, you are selling yourself.

29. What suggestions do you have to improve the experience?
Only thing I can offer is more attention to how to promote a product.
30. What’s next for you?
At this point, I am focusing on learning. For me in order to move up at my current job I must work on education and certification. Once I complete those I will continue to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities to help the community.