Q1 : Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans : Our business is named Alpha Omega Disaster Restoration, located in Laurel, Montana. We are in the business of restoring homes and properties that are affected by Microbial growth, Water damage, and Fire/Smoke damage.
Q2 : Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans : Julie Johnson – Business Degree from Montana State University Bozeman. Major achievements include growing company to 15-20 employees.
Q3 : What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans : I have always wanted to own my own business – my family has owned their own business as well and I always wanted to do it myself.
Q4 : What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans : 1. Don’t lose sight of your dream
2. Create a system
3. Follow the system!
Q5 : What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans : 1. Be flexible
2. Hold people accountable and be willing to hold people accountable
3. Read books!
Q6 : How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans : About 8 to prevent burnout
Q7 : To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans : My team
Q8 : How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans : We market through different avenues- social media, face-to-face, tv, phone books – I believe the most successful form of marketing has been showing our customer that we will do what we say we will do – then they market us
Q9 : Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans : Most of our funding came from working in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina – We worked hard and invested in our own business
Q10 : What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans : Keep an open mind but always plan for the future
Q11 : Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans : Doing what we do – but better!
Q12 : Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans : Franchises that have made it work – Google
Recommended Questions –
Q1 : How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans : Good employees have been VERY important to our success
Q2 : How do you generate new ideas?
Ans : Roundtable discussion with employees – encouraging honesty
Q3 : How do you define success?
Ans : Having satisfied customers and happy employees
Q4 : How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans : Exceeding a customer’s expectations while also doing what we say we will do
Q5 : What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans : Getting comfortable being uncomfortable
Q6 : What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans : All of it!
Q7 : What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans : Being able to blaze your own trail.
Q8 : What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans : We hired based on character, not just experience. It is important that a team member steps up to be part of the team.
Optional Questions –
Q1 : How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans : This is our home – we wanted a home base and it made sense to be in Laurel.
Q2 : Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans : I believe that you cannot ‘become’ an entrepreneur – people are naturally entrepreneurs or business-minded. It is how you approach your ideas and carry that out that makes you successful
Q3 : Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans : My parents – starting their own business
Q4 : What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans : The E-myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
Q5 : How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans : Admit your mistakes and learn from them- do everything you can to keep a customer happy
Contact Details :
Alpha Omega Disaster Restoration
204 E Main St, Laurel, MT, 59044
406-628-0178
mail@alphaomegapros.com
http://alphaomegapros.com