What's Your Secret Sauce?
My Human Capital:
1. Management Skills- Ever since I was a child, I have always tried to lead others and to organize different projects, teams, and events. This meant that when I was a kid, I was often called "bossy" but has also allowed me to be a better leader and advisor as a teenager and adult. I have been the captain and coach for many different sports teams, the president of many different clubs, and work at a job that requires me to manage and advise others about their financials. I think that this has given me a good sense of how to properly lead others, to assign and delegate tasks, and to get a better understanding of what I am good at and what I need help with.
2. Responsibility- I am the oldest of three siblings which meant that I was often put into a babysitter and caretaker role at a young age. My parents work very demanding jobs which mean that I was often left with my two siblings and dogs and was told to feed and take care of them. This led me to have a more responsible and caring personality. I have also always called "the mom" of my friend group because of my ability to understand and take care of all of my friends. I think that this will help me in managing and developing a team of employees and developing relationships with vendors and suppliers.
3. Determination- I am a self-proclaimed over-achiever. I have always been the student who strove to get an A in every class, the athlete who always showed up early and stayed after practice, and the employee who always wants to learn more. I feel guilty when I do not put 100% of myself into whatever task I am doing and I think that this will make me a good entrepreneur because I would have to invest my entire being into whatever business I begin.
4. Financial/Economic Awareness- As an economics major, I am constantly being forced to analyze the current state of the economy and different markets and industries. I think that this will give me a better understanding of ow my business will fit into a local or larger economy. I have also worked at a finance and accounting firm, and have spent a few years learning how to properly manage business finances, file tax returns, and advise others on spending decisions. I think that this will allow me to more objectively analyze my business' finances and prepare for any questions that may come up regarding how I should spend or earn money for my company.
5. Understanding of Small Business Operations- I have grown up exploring and working in small businesses. My grandmother and my mother co-owned a small thrift store when I was born and when I was a child, my grandmother retired and my mother opened her own store that focused on children's clothes and toys. I have vague memories of the operations that went along with opening that business, but have vivid memories of each time that she chose to expand that business. I have helped her with two physical expansions of the business and opening a second company. I now help her with hiring employees, managing her financials, and picking products to order for her business. I think that this has given me an incredible sense of the day to day operations of a small business and how to make decisions regarding licensing, expansion, and partnerships.
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Interviews:
Interview #1: My Father
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-dad/s-PydOH
My dad discussed how my education regarding economics and finance and my upbringing would benefit me as an entrepreneur. He noted that I have seen lots of success and many mistakes being made in small businesses and said that this would help me succeed on my own. He also noted that I am one of the most analytical people that he knows which means that I would have hundreds of plans for how my business could work and what may happen in any case scenario.
Interview #2: My Mother
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-mom/s-XUVVt
My mom thought that I was a great problem solver, but would struggle to work with people who had negative or pessimistic attitudes. She noted that I often absorb the moods of the people that I am around, but also said that I would be great at working with children. She also thought that I would be great at communicating through social media and reaching out to vendors.
Interview #3: My Boss
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-my-boss/s-vVN7a
My boss discussed my skills involving customer service and my ability to understand and explain topics to others. She thought that I was really good at developing relationships with clients and customers, but may struggle with being confident on a public stage or with finding new people to work with.
Interview #4: My Grandmother
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-grandmother/s-cJoN1
My grandmother thought that my most important traits were my ability to problem solve, to lay out detailed plans, and to lead and understand other people. She compared me to my mother, who is already a business owner, and said that we were both very determined and strong-willed as children which she believes have made us capable and prepared entrepreneurs.
Interview #5: My Grandfather
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-grandfather/s-1bzjL
My grandfather focused most of his interview on my willingness to face challenges head-on and to make things better. He said that I am someone who picks up on instruction easily and am always willing to take on extra responsibility.
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Reflection:
I think that I have always seen myself in more of a manager role rather than as an owner or entrepreneur. I like to organize and lead people but have never wanted to make the big and risky decisions. I think that this was reflected in my interviews, especially those with my grandfather, my mom, and my boss- but was surprised that my grandmother and my dad saw me as taking more of a leadership role than that. They both noted how strong-willed and analytical I am which they believed would help me in making educated and responsible decisions for myself and others. I think these differences in opinion come from the different settings that I often interact with these people in. I have worked for my boss for over three years, and am constantly helping my mom with running her business, which I think has led them to see more as an assistant or a second brain as times. This is different to my grandmother and my dad who are often my confidants and tend to see me when I am more vulnerable and true to myself. I do not think that there was anything I would change in my list about myself, but I also see no fault in what any of my interviewees had to say. I think they all touched on the topics that I addressed about myself but discussed them in different ways. Every person noted how my education and determination would help me in the future but everyone discussed the way that I expressed these skills in different ways.
1. Management Skills- Ever since I was a child, I have always tried to lead others and to organize different projects, teams, and events. This meant that when I was a kid, I was often called "bossy" but has also allowed me to be a better leader and advisor as a teenager and adult. I have been the captain and coach for many different sports teams, the president of many different clubs, and work at a job that requires me to manage and advise others about their financials. I think that this has given me a good sense of how to properly lead others, to assign and delegate tasks, and to get a better understanding of what I am good at and what I need help with.
2. Responsibility- I am the oldest of three siblings which meant that I was often put into a babysitter and caretaker role at a young age. My parents work very demanding jobs which mean that I was often left with my two siblings and dogs and was told to feed and take care of them. This led me to have a more responsible and caring personality. I have also always called "the mom" of my friend group because of my ability to understand and take care of all of my friends. I think that this will help me in managing and developing a team of employees and developing relationships with vendors and suppliers.
3. Determination- I am a self-proclaimed over-achiever. I have always been the student who strove to get an A in every class, the athlete who always showed up early and stayed after practice, and the employee who always wants to learn more. I feel guilty when I do not put 100% of myself into whatever task I am doing and I think that this will make me a good entrepreneur because I would have to invest my entire being into whatever business I begin.
4. Financial/Economic Awareness- As an economics major, I am constantly being forced to analyze the current state of the economy and different markets and industries. I think that this will give me a better understanding of ow my business will fit into a local or larger economy. I have also worked at a finance and accounting firm, and have spent a few years learning how to properly manage business finances, file tax returns, and advise others on spending decisions. I think that this will allow me to more objectively analyze my business' finances and prepare for any questions that may come up regarding how I should spend or earn money for my company.
5. Understanding of Small Business Operations- I have grown up exploring and working in small businesses. My grandmother and my mother co-owned a small thrift store when I was born and when I was a child, my grandmother retired and my mother opened her own store that focused on children's clothes and toys. I have vague memories of the operations that went along with opening that business, but have vivid memories of each time that she chose to expand that business. I have helped her with two physical expansions of the business and opening a second company. I now help her with hiring employees, managing her financials, and picking products to order for her business. I think that this has given me an incredible sense of the day to day operations of a small business and how to make decisions regarding licensing, expansion, and partnerships.
-----------------------------------
Interviews:
Interview #1: My Father
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-dad/s-PydOH
My dad discussed how my education regarding economics and finance and my upbringing would benefit me as an entrepreneur. He noted that I have seen lots of success and many mistakes being made in small businesses and said that this would help me succeed on my own. He also noted that I am one of the most analytical people that he knows which means that I would have hundreds of plans for how my business could work and what may happen in any case scenario.
Interview #2: My Mother
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-mom/s-XUVVt
My mom thought that I was a great problem solver, but would struggle to work with people who had negative or pessimistic attitudes. She noted that I often absorb the moods of the people that I am around, but also said that I would be great at working with children. She also thought that I would be great at communicating through social media and reaching out to vendors.
Interview #3: My Boss
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-my-boss/s-vVN7a
My boss discussed my skills involving customer service and my ability to understand and explain topics to others. She thought that I was really good at developing relationships with clients and customers, but may struggle with being confident on a public stage or with finding new people to work with.
Interview #4: My Grandmother
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-grandmother/s-cJoN1
My grandmother thought that my most important traits were my ability to problem solve, to lay out detailed plans, and to lead and understand other people. She compared me to my mother, who is already a business owner, and said that we were both very determined and strong-willed as children which she believes have made us capable and prepared entrepreneurs.
Interview #5: My Grandfather
https://soundcloud.com/user-929435653/interview-with-grandfather/s-1bzjL
My grandfather focused most of his interview on my willingness to face challenges head-on and to make things better. He said that I am someone who picks up on instruction easily and am always willing to take on extra responsibility.
-----------------------------------
Reflection:
I think that I have always seen myself in more of a manager role rather than as an owner or entrepreneur. I like to organize and lead people but have never wanted to make the big and risky decisions. I think that this was reflected in my interviews, especially those with my grandfather, my mom, and my boss- but was surprised that my grandmother and my dad saw me as taking more of a leadership role than that. They both noted how strong-willed and analytical I am which they believed would help me in making educated and responsible decisions for myself and others. I think these differences in opinion come from the different settings that I often interact with these people in. I have worked for my boss for over three years, and am constantly helping my mom with running her business, which I think has led them to see more as an assistant or a second brain as times. This is different to my grandmother and my dad who are often my confidants and tend to see me when I am more vulnerable and true to myself. I do not think that there was anything I would change in my list about myself, but I also see no fault in what any of my interviewees had to say. I think they all touched on the topics that I addressed about myself but discussed them in different ways. Every person noted how my education and determination would help me in the future but everyone discussed the way that I expressed these skills in different ways.
Hey Alex,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite one is when you talk aboutEver since I was a child, I have always tried to lead others and to organize different projects, teams, and events. This meant that when I was a kid, I was often called "bossy" but has also allowed me to be a better leader and advisor as a teenager and adult. I have been the captain and coach for many different sports teams, the president of many different clubs, and work at a job that requires me to manage and advise others about their financials. I think that this has given me a good sense of how to properly lead others, to assign and delegate tasks, and to get a better understanding of what I am good at and what I need help with.