Questions with Rick Gantley, iQon Productions: 
Michael: Did you have a business plan when you started your business? Or did you use any other form of business mapping to get started?
Rick: Not initially no. The business had been started very small by a friend who really needed to supplement his income as he went through college. It was about four months into “assisting” him run and expand it that he felt that he could not take it the next level as I expressed and signed it over to me. As I continued to maintain the business over several years doing decent it was a couple of years later that I formed a partnership with my current business partner because the synergy we felt and witnessed as we continued to cross paths and utilize each other’s expertise. We realized that we both have talent that neither of us have aspired to acquire and worked from that aspect. So it really has been by osmosis and blossomed into even bigger than ever anticipated.
M: What do you think of the necessity of a business plan to entrepreneurs, specifically arts entrepreneurs?
R: In retrospect having even a basic business plan is necessary and I have always preached that to my protégés in the restaurant business who always have big ideas of owning a bar or restaurant. You need this as a guide not just for your investors but yourself. It’s always wise to revisit your original goal but there is no doubt it will shift over time.
M: What three pieces of advice can you offer developing arts entrepreneurs?
R: Find the passion. Make sure that what you desire to accomplish is something you love.
Never settle because you will regret it eventually.
Go with your gut because even if it does not always pan out you can at least say you have it your all with your heart.
Questions with Emilie Skinner, Dallas NeoClassical Ballet: 
Michael: Did you have a business plan when you started your business? Or did you use any other form of business mapping to get started?
Emilie: Yes and no. I had an idea of what I wanted to do with the company and what steps needed to be taken but it took some time to find the resources to make those steps happen. I had some help with a board of advisor member who had experience with other dance companies and nonprofits, which was great. For the most part, we kind of dove into things and let the pieces fall together as went along.
M: What do you think of the necessity of a business plan to entrepreneurs, specifically arts entrepreneurs?
E: I think it’s important to have a vision and plan that is flexible. You can’t get discouraged when things don’t go exactly according to plan and you have to be able and willing to adapt and be flexible because the company will grow and change as time goes on. But if you don’t have a grasp on your vision, no one will.
M: What three pieces of advice can you offer developing arts entrepreneurs?
E: Be kind and accept help. You’ll need it! Be supportive of your peers and other arts organizations. There is greatness in uniting as a community.
Be humble and own up to your mistakes. If you have a partner, make sure they can do the same. Especially if building a nonprofit you have to keep in mind that no one owes you anything. It’s up to you to show your donors and supporters you are worthy and to make them feel appreciated.
Have fun. If you’re not enjoying what you do, something’s wrong. Surround yourself with positivity and keep believing in yourself and what you do!
Analysis from Interviews (by Michael Stone):
This process was very informative to me. I found that entrepreneurs are typically the kind of people who are willing to help and foster new innovation in the world. The entrepreneurs I had the pleasure of interviewing were Rick Gantley, who founded several restaurants as well as a personnel staffing and modeling agency in Dallas, and Emilie Skinner, co-founder of Dallas NeoClassical Ballet. Both of these business people spoke passionately about the drive for entrepreneurship
Rick spoke about the need to be prepared and willingness to adapt and accept what is in front of you. He also spoke briefly about how he works with protégés to create the next generation of entrepreneurs. Emilie similarly spoke about the need to accept help and advice from others, especially those that might know more or better than you do. Both mentioned a need for passion and drive in whatever endeavor one takes on, otherwise it will lead to burn out and lack of interest.
I found these interviews very helpful in that it offered perspective from two individuals who have both created their own business, but the businesses are both in very different fields of business. They helped me to understand that entrepreneurship isn’t just the starting of a business but the need to have a desire and passion to create something new, a kind of change in the world. I think it was positive to also have retrospect of established and successful entrepreneurs, both of which emphasized the importance of a business plan of some sort, but neither of which had started with one but feel that there is a need and importance for a plan of some sort for the business, especially after having gone through the process of creating a business.
These interviews helped me look forward to the idea of being the one behind manifestation of an idea into a business that is mine. They both taught me that help can be, well, helpful. Sometimes it can be even necessary. I think that sometimes I have gotten lost in the workload that comes just from developing an idea into a feasible business plan, let alone in the idea of actually bringing the business to fruition. And I have found that with some help and advice, and a little more time, creating a new business or company can actually be full of fun and exploration, not just stress and work, as long as one doesn’t become shut off from others and allows the ideas to come from everyone involved.
