Very Short Interview Part 2

Hey everyone! So I unfortunately did not complete the first "very short interview" assignment since I missed the deadline for it. So for this assignment with this assignment I will do my best with what I have done so far.  I decided to reach out to Valentina Devia, she is an architect, real estate agent, and started her own interior design company couple years back.  Since she lives in South Florida, I wasn't able to go see her in person and she said due to her reputation and the company, she did not want to be recorded in video or voice.  However she was more that happy to respond to all my questions via email so her responses will be seen below!

For this exercise, I would like you to revisit that first conversation you had with an entrepreneur. In that initial interview, you asked an entrepreneur three questions. Now, revisit this interview and think about the questions you asked and the answers they provided you. From where you stand now, what is your impression of that initial interview?
Like I said, I unfortunately did not complete the first interview so I don't have much to talk about in that aspect.  In a broader view, I think all the experience that I have gained in the class has made me more knowledgeable about entrepreneurship and maybe if I did do the first interview, I would probably notice very basic questions, slight nervousness, and uncertainty.

Second, visit the entrepreneur again. Record the interview if possible. The three questions you ask this time are entirely up to you. Let your experiences in this course drive what questions you ask -- and that will be very different for each of you! 
*her responses are in quotes*:

Q: Is there anything you wish you had done differently with your start-up?
A:"There's not a moment where I haven't thought about that.  I think the one thing in particular I wish I had done differently is network more with other interior design firms and try to create a better network BEFORE opening up business.  I guess I was too timid at that time, maybe not as confident in the work I was doing, that I didn't want to talk to people about it until it was done.  Now I regret that decision, because it was a lot more difficult creating my network once my business was up and going.  Its been years, and now I am just starting to really see my network; maybe if I had done it earlier I could have been more successful,who knows."

Q: How did you keep your momentum going during the whole process of coming up with and building your company?
A:"It is all a mental game.  I know this sounds harsh, but starting your own business is not for the overly emotional or the weak.  I had 2 years during the creation of my business, where I was losing more money than I had expected, no investors wanted to invest in my company, and I had to juggle another job just to stay afloat.  Thankfully I had a great group of people encouraging me, along with the fact that once I start something, I need to see it to the end."

Q: Any comments or advice on my business concept? (showed her my work)
A: "You are heading in the right direction.  I think what I admire most about your idea is the reason why you are working for it.  You want to help others with your concept; the selflessness you radiate will keep you going and fighting for this business and it's success. Of course there is MUCH more you need to do in order to actually get this going in the next few years, I can see that it is something worth pursuing."

Third, after the interview, try to gather some sense of how far you have come in this class. In your post, discuss your comfort level in talking about entrepreneurship in this interview now, compared to three months ago. Did the entrepreneur convey a sense that they thought you had progressed in your journey?
I think anyone, including myself is uncomfortable talking about a subject matter they are unfamiliar with or know nothing about; at the beginning of this semester I wasn't entirely sure of what I was getting into, so I am sure my first interview would have been nerve wracking.  Now that I have gained some experience and confidence, I feel much more comfortable to go and talk to ANY entrepreneur and learn from them in the future.  Valentina, who has known me for a long time, said she noticed there was a new found confidence in myself; she saw a sort of spark in the way I talked about the work I had done this semester.

Thanks for reading guys, and feel free to check out my other posts!