Category Archives: Audio Interviews

Audio interviews conducted by WCU ME Cohort students

Audio Interviews Entrepreneur Audio Interviews Cohort Audio Interviews

Interview With Jonathan Wilson, Aviation Services Manager at KPG, Inc. (ENT 630)

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My name is Jose F. Saavedra and I recently had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Wilson. He is the Aviation Services Manager at KPG, Inc., a multidisciplinary consulting firm specialized in providing design services to public entities in and around the Seattle area. Jonathan Wilson is also an author and his most recent book “Future Leader” will be available December 1st.

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Entrepreneur Audio Interviews

Interview with Informative Technologies CEO James Walker

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I have known James for going on a year now, but never really took the time to get a complete understanding of his company, Informative Technologies. I originally met him at the UNC Charlotte campus where I was holding an electronic waste (commonly called “E-Waste”) collection and he came by to grab any computer components that had been dropped off. Intrigued by why he was doing this, I struck up a conversation with him where I learned that his company erases all the data on the computers, restores them to working order using spare parts and open source software, and then makes them available to low income families suffering with the digital divide (lack of access to the internet). With my company focusing on helping people identify sustainability causes they are passionate about (climate change, clean water, clean air, etc.) in their community and giving them weekly opportunity lists of how they can take action, the social good aspect of his company aligned well with mine and I was curious how he operates company with this focus driving it. The audio of this interview is just over 39:00, so in case you don’t have the time to listen to it all, these were some of my key takeaways:

  • Using his network, he was able to identify school and state-sponsored programs that paid for his workers (workers came from these programs).
  • The workers he brings in are mainly teenagers who have some flag in their past that makes other businesses hesitant of hiring them. He teaches them everything they need to know about building a computer and builds their professional skills they normally wouldn’t be exposed to. Plus, if they need a computer, the first one they build goes to them.
  • His workers are also largely from the demographic households James is trying to impact, so the process of identifying areas to sell his computers (most are ~$100), his employees are extremely helpful.
  • His main competition are non-profits. Even though Informative Technologies incorporates so much social good in its operations, people still are hesitant on why he is making money and think donating items is best.
  • In his prior career, James made use of programs that were free or the company paid for in order to advance his knowledge. He didn’t know this existed until he had been at his job for years. With his employees, he introduces them to all of these similar opportunities right away.

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Audio Interviews Entrepreneur Audio Interviews

SME Interview with Vicki Floyd, Director of Administration at ADK Consulting & Executive Search (ENT 600-50)

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My name is Jose F. Saavedra and I recently had the opportunity to interview Vicki Floyd. She is the Director of Administration at ADK Consulting & Executive Search. ADK is a leading recruitment firm specialized in executive recruitment for airports and other aviation related industries. This interview was completed as part of the SME Interview assignment for ENT 600 – 50 Entrepreneurial Planning.

 

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Audio Interviews

SME Interview ENT 645: Shaunak Turaga – Founder of BARK & Barbox

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On July 11th, I conducted my Subject Matter Expert interview with Shaunak Turaga, a fellow NC State University graduate and one of the founders of BARK & Barbox. It was such a pleasure speaking with him & it was more than I hoped for. It was beyond refreshing to speak with an up & coming entrepreneur that is so open, supportive & willing to give advice. That’s how the world of entrepreneurship should always be! I sighed in relief knowing that the interview went smoothly & that I have hopefully gained my first, real business contact. One step closer to coming into my own!

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