Entrepreneurship Interview: Insights into Restaurant Management

This report presents an interview with Mr. Jackson Jack, a restaurant owner, focusing on his entrepreneurial journey, motivations, and challenges. The interview covers topics such as his initial motivation, capital support, customer retention strategies, and future plans for business expansion. Mr. Jackson shares insights on maintaining quality, managing daily operations, and adapting to trends in the catering industry. The report also highlights key lessons learned from the interview, including the importance of perseverance, work-life balance, and adapting to unforeseen challenges. The interviewee's educational background and experience underscore the significance of formal training in entrepreneurship. The interview provides a comprehensive understanding of the realities and requirements for success in the restaurant business.

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Business Entrepreneur Interview
Undertaking an interview has never been an easy experience especially when one
interviews a person he or she knows nothing about (Lipset 39). Some few weeks ago I had an
opportunity of interviewing a particular entrepreneur by the name Mr. Jackson Jack who owned
a restaurant in the city. In this light, I had to prepare all the questions that I would ask Mr.
Jackson something I did through brainstorming myself with issues as well as researching specific
information regarding his restaurant (Frederick, Howard, Allan, and Donald). The purpose of this
interview was to get to understand the whole process of starting a business and the likely
challenges that one ought to encounter. Notably, this was necessary especially to improve my
undemanding on the entire aspect of entrepreneurship (Liang, James, Hui, and Edward). To
make sure that I appreciated the time that the interviewee had set aside to attend the interview, I
made sure that I had participated in the interview on time. The following are sets of questions I
asked and the responses I received from Mr. Jackson.
Questions and Responses
1. Me: What motivated you to pursue a career in restaurant business?
Mr. Jackson: It is the exposure I had to a restaurant kind of work having been employed
as a casual in a restaurant near my neighborhood after finishing my O level. I enjoyed

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the work since it was fun and I got a chance to interact with people from all walks of life.
It was a good learning experience for me since I enjoyed my work.
2. Me: How did you get to start? Did you get any form of capital support?
Mr. Jackson: Well, having developed an interest in the hospitality industry, I decided to
pursue my first degree in catering. I learned most of the skills required in this great
industry. I had an opportunity to have a practical experience during internship at Mc
Lintocks restaurant. With regard to the capital question, my family was very supportive
while I was starting in terms financial and moral support.
3. Me: What give you motivation to keep going?
Mr. Jackson: I would say the moral support from my family, friends and business
partners. They have stood with me through thick and thin and it’s not something I do not
take for granted. My customers too have been supportive for being loyal and I look
forward to working more partnership going forward.
4. Me: What is the secret of keeping your customers?
Mr. Jackson: It is all about knowing what your customer wants, dealing with complaints
on time, and employing the right people who actually know how to get the job done.
5. Me: What are the main challenges you face in your business?

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Mr. Jackson: To always maintain your taste. Anything short of what the customers are
you used to may lead to change of preference by customers. To win them back is always a
big challenge.
6. Me: What next for you? Your plan for the next five years?
Mr. Jackson: Obviously to expand and open some more branches in other
neighborhoods.
7. Me: What is a typical day for you?
Mr. Jackson: it is all about managing my business. I report at 7:00 am and close at
10:00pm.
8. Me: What are the trends in the catering industry?
Mr. Jackson: A lot has changed over time.
9. Me: Do you get bored for doing the same thing every day?
Mr. Jackson: Yes. I have no option though.
10. Me: Would pursue another career path?
Mr. Jackson: No. Already in my dream job
11. Me: What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Mr. Jackson: It is simple, follow your passion and give it the best shot.

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12. Me: How many years has your business been in operation?
Mr. Jackson: 7 years
13. Me: Do you see your business going international?
Mr. Jackson: No
14. Me: Did your business take long to pick?
Mr. Jackson: Not really
15. Me: Is an entrepreneur born or made?
Mr. Jackson: Born.
16. Me: Are you a risk taker?
Mr. Jackson: Yes
17. Me: Did you have a role model?
Mr. Jackson: Yes.
18. Me: Do you plan to mentor young people?
Mr. Jackson: Yes.
19. Me: Do you have any regrets?

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Mr. Jackson: No
20. Me: Are your kids in to business?
Mr. Jackson: Just one
21. Me: Was your family into restaurant business before?
Mr. Jackson: No.
22. Me: How is your relationship with your customers
Mr. Jackson: Good.
23. Me: Is restaurant meeting all health requirements
Mr. Jackson: Yes.
24. Me: How many employees do you have?
Mr. Jackson: 53
25. Me: What credential do you use in rewarding your workers?
Mr. Jackson: On merits
Summary of What I Learned About the Entrepreneur
Having undertaken the interview, there are various lessons I learned regarding the aspect
of entrepreneurship. For instance, I learned that becoming an entrepreneur is not an easy task and

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is, therefore, considered to be one of the hardest things to do. Of course, there are times which
are more comfortable, but being responsible especially for one’s paycheck as well as for
employees is no doubt a difficult thing to handle (Bruton, Shaker, and Li 351). However, with
the necessary support, one can be successful in the long run. Moreover, I realized that being an
entrepreneur takes a significant position in someone’s time including weekends. In this light, one
is expected to work very hard to maintain a work-life balance. According to the interviewee, I
realized that most business owners never stop working (Eckhardt, Michael and Mason).
Additionally, I realized that sometimes things do not go according to a plan of a
particular business (Rawhouser, Hans, Michael, and Scott 82). Sometimes one is forced to act on
a reactive basis rather than a proactive one given the fact that some programs might not have
been met (Busenitz, Lowell, and Benyamin). According to the interviewee, I realized that having
an educational background or experience in a particular field can facilitate an individual to
become an entrepreneur in the future. Notably, this made me understand the importance of the
current course I am undertaking concerning entrepreneurship (Erken, et al. 1493).

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Works Cited
Bruton, Garry D., Shaker A. Zahra, and Li Cai. "Examining entrepreneurship through indigenous
lenses." Routledge 13. 2 (2018): 351-361.
Busenitz, Lowell, and Benyamin Lichtenstein. "Faith in Research: Forging New Ground in
Entrepreneurship." Academy of Management Perspectives ja. 11.2 (2018): 34-303.
Eckhardt, Jonathan T., Michael P. Ciuchta, and Mason Carpenter. "Open innovation,
information, and entrepreneurship within platform ecosystems." Strategic
Entrepreneurship Journal 12.3 (2018): 369-391.
Erken, Hugo, Piet Donselaar, and Roy Thurik. "Total factor productivity and the role of
entrepreneurship." The Journal of Technology Transfer 43.6 (2018): 1493-1521.
Frederick, Howard, Allan O'Connor, and Donald F. Kuratko. Entrepreneurship. Cengage AU,
2018.
Liang, James, Hui Wang, and Edward P. Lazear. "Demographics and entrepreneurship." Journal
of Political Economy 126.S1 (2018): S140-S196.
Lipset, Seymour Martin. "Values, education, and entrepreneurship." Promise Of Development.
Routledge, 2018. 39-75.
Rawhouser, Hans, Michael Cummings, and Scott L. Newbert. "Social impact measurement:
Current approaches and future directions for social entrepreneurship
research." Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 43.1 (2019): 82-115.

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