Very Short Interview No. 1

I interviewed Shawn Beecher, who is the Co-Founder of MobileEmpire Detailing.  What makes Shawn an entrepreneur is that he has attained great success in the financial industry, working for an established firm in different capacities before branching out on his own and starting his own business.  http://www.mobileempiredetailing.com

1.     What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur means every day you are confronted with your greatest fear, failure. Every day you have to overcome that fear, with no guarantee that you will succeed. It means unlimited potential with unlimited risk, the ultimate gamble. It's the ultimate accountability.

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

I wish they would have taught more on how to properly save while in business and also how to grow a successful business. Everything that was taught to me was on such a macro level that major components of a successful business get overlooked.

3.     What do you think I should learn in an entrepreneurship course?

In order to succeed as an entrepreneur, you have to understand human psychology. You need to understand how to deal with your fears, deal with your personal and professional insecurities, and to overcome the impossible to anticipate obstacles. Finally, as an entrepreneur you'd better have a high pain tolerance. From the outside looking in, success is easy and appears to be instant. From the inside looking out, every successful entrepreneur is a bit neurotic, no matter how successful they may be, it's tough for the entrepreneur to see it.

Reflection: 

What I learned and what surprised me the most was the sense that the pressure and constant fear of failure is a very powerful motivator.  It can be too much to handle for most as not everyone is cut out to be their own boss and change-maker, but Shawn has found a great balance and is able to make it work.  I have always found security in going to work for a company that provides the relative comforts of constancy, such as a paycheck after 2 weeks, medical benefits, and wage increases from time to time.  The entrepreneur however is willing to forgo that security and forge their own path, set their own hours, and put their heart and soul into a project that may or may not work out.  Shawn has the perseverance and tenacity to ensure his business succeeds and the continued success of his business is a great testament to the practical application of his work experience and education.  I wish one day to have the courage and necessary business acumen to pull off and sustain the success Shawn has been able to enjoy.  I wish him much success and good luck in all future endeavors.