Very Short Interview No. 1

The entrepreneur that I chose to interview is named David Glenn. He owns a plumbing service company in Woodside, New York called Glenn’s Plumbing Services. The company’s services include installing plumbing systems and fixing pipe leaks. He is an entrepreneur to me because he has owned his business for a great amount of years, able to employ staff members, and feed his self as well from this business idea. David told me that he started the business 12 years ago, but has been a plumber for 25 years. He saw a need in his community for a great plumbing company, and fulfilled that need. 
These are the questions I asked him and his responses:

Interviewer: What should my expectations be in this course?

David: How to be self-sustained. After you come out of the program, you shouldn't have to depend on a hospital or other institution to get a job. You should learn how to start your own business. I saw a need, and tried to fulfill that need. Entrepreneurs try to make a living off a new idea. 

Interviewer: What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

David: It means to provide services. It’s not always glamorous. When it’s time to get paid from clients, it doesn't always go smoothly.  Sometimes you go to a guy to get $25,000 and only get $10,000. Hiring and firing is not the best thing to do either. It’s really tough to fire someone. At times it can be stressful, and at times it can be rewarding. It's rewarding when you do a task for a customer, and they are satisfied with your work. Sometimes you get rewarded for your good work by a recommendation from a client.

Interviewer: What do you wish you had been taught in school before setting out on your own path as an entrepreneur? 

David: That’s a good question. Business Management. How to manage a business. You have to be able to manage your money. Every skill whether hair dressing or plumbing needs business management skills.


I learned a lot from this interview. The entrepreneur stressed the need for finding a need, and fulfilling that need through innovation. It wasn’t really a surprise, but I was not expecting him to point out that entrepreneurship was not as glamorous as it looks, and that it was actually really tough to own a business. He is a highly-accomplished entrepreneur, and I am glad I had the pleasure of speaking with him.