Dear Students,
Please find below the 'Interview Guide', all questions listed may be asked by your interviewee and you
may ask additional questions too. Your chosen Entrepreneur must have a successful venture in operation
for at least 1.5 years.
‘INTERVIEW GUIDE’
Standard Questions
How did the idea for your business come about?
What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
How did you come up with the name for your company?
How did you raise funding for your venture?
How do you build a successful customer base?
How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?
What problems did you encounter in setting up and running your business?
Between an Idea, Planning and Execution, which is the most important and most difficult aspect
of the entrepreneurial process, and why?
9. How would you rate the environment of the country, specific to entrepreneurial conduciveness?
10. What are your plans for the future of your business?
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Personal Questions
Can you describe/outline your typical day?
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
What motivates you?
How do you generate new ideas?
What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
How do you define success?
Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Who has supported you during your endeavor? How?
What is your family background (entrepreneur / employee)? How did it play a role in your
development (personal and career)?
12. Have you ever failed in your life? How do you handle failure?
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Tips and Advice
What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs?
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your dayto-day busy schedule?
5. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
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Misc
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Who has been your greatest inspiration?
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What is your favorite book? Can you recommend 3 books for graduating students?
What is the part of your life experience you would alter if you had the chance to?
If you were to write a book about yourself, how would you name it?