Did you have a business plan, or any type of plan written down, when you started your business?

I did not have a formal business plan.  I had a PLAN, which included my mission/vision, budget forecast and lists of prospective customers.

I don’t want to give you the impression that you don’t need a plan/vision which includes an understanding of how to get meet your goals, but I don’t think the traditional Business Plan works for a startup company.  I simply didn’t think an entrepreneur in today’s society first step in build their business I to sit at a desk for 2 weeks writing a classic business plan.  You need to be out finding solutions and customers by talking, meeting and making connections.

Do you think business plans are necessary for entrepreneurship?  Why or why not?

I think business plans for startup companies are a thing of the past. In today’s world, startup companies can show investors prototypes or provide market feedback instead of telling them about it with a lengthy business plan.  Entrepreneurs are creating something.  An entrepreneur needs to have a clear vision, knew their consumer and understand their budgets.   

What three pieces of advice can you offer developing creative entrepreneurs?

Do not EVER say the words “it’s just business”

You make business decisions, which can be difficult. A business is comprised of people and does business with people.  Do not use the business as a fall guy for your business transactions.  You should be able to explain why you are making this decision to whomever you are speaking and be honest.  I have found the words “it’s just business” typically follow some unethical decision or behavior.  “It’s just business” can be loosely translated into, “I know this isn’t right, but I personally am not involved….it’s just business”

Take a look at this Oath of Ethical Conduct https://www.bc.edu/schools/csom/research/leadership/studentprograms/oathofethicalconduct.html

Be Nimble

I typically use the term scrappy.  Listen to the entire team.  Be willing to adopt others ideas. Delegate.

Our office is an open office, which allows us to generate solutions for clients from our marketers, artists, designers, engineers, and digital and researcher specialists.  It is crazy at times, but I believe it allows us to offer better solutions to our clients. Things are going to change second to second and being nimble is what will set you apart

Be True to Yourself

Know what you do and LOVE it!  It will be absorbed by your customers, team members and potential investors.

But wait, there is more.  I have advice I would like to share with college students who will soon be in the workplace:

Power Point presentations are PRESENTATIONS. 

Never read a presentation to your client/audience.  You can hand out notes once you have presented for clarification and/detail.  Simply assume your client/audience can read.  When presenting, please, speak to the client/audience.

Practice presentations before doing them.

Then you don’t have to read them; you know it and can discuss it.

• Read your written correspondence before sending it
• Use “Reply To All” sparingly
• When upset wait 24 hours to respond to any written correspondence

Interview by Chase McConville, student in Arts Entrepreneurship at Meadows School of the Arts, SMU