Jack Crosby interviewing Dustin Ramsey
1) What do you want to get out of this entrepreneurial degree?
I am still on the fence about what I would like to do with this degree. My ultimate goal if I were to open a business would be to do so in an athletic field.
2) Do you already have business ideas that you want to put into action?
I do have a business idea in mind for the athletic field. It would be a big undertaking but I think if it were planned right it could very profitable while also helping athletes in a number of different ways.
If so, will you put these ideas into action when you complete this program?
My idea would be something I put into action later on down the road. There is a lot of training and information that I would need to complete in order to successfully manage a company such as this.
3) Have you had any entrepreneurial experience in the past? (i.e. self employed?)
I have owned a business of my own and have helped to start two others. One of the ones that I helped start, I was going to be a partial owner in but it never really took off.
4) What entrepreneurs would you consider to be your role models? Why?
My brother would be my primary role model. His experiences and persistence have really helped push me in my current situation. He has faced a number of setbacks but has continued to work extremely hard and push through.
5) What is your dream? (business and personal)
My dream is to be a college football coach at a major college. Depending on where I see my future going in this field, I will decide if pursuing a career in athletics in an entrepreneurial manner would be more satisfying to me personally and financially.
1) What is your entrepreneurial background?
I’ve owned a “Liberty Tax Service” franchise for the last four years. I’ve learned a lot about owning/running a business. Because it’s a franchise, many of the obstacles most small business owners deal with early didn’t exist. There is a great amount of support….kind of like a “business in a box”. That being said, I still have a lot to learn about starting a business, raising capital, business plans, etc.
2) What do you want to do with your M.E. degree?
I want to learn everything I can about starting a business from scratch. I have lots of ideas but I don’t know how to put them into action. I believe this program will allow me to learn everything I don’t know, everything I need to know, to be a successful entrepreneur.
3) What are your goals in business? And, how will these goals ultimately impact your life overall?
My goal is to own and run a successful business that will grant me financial freedom as well as personal freedom. If I have those two things in my life I should be able to enjoy all that life has to offer. i.e. travel, sports, friends, family, etc.
4) Who is your entrepreneurial icon/role model?
Bill Dallas. Bill Dallas started First Franklin Financial, one of the mortgage banking firms I used to work for. The reason I look up to Bill is because he thinks outside of the box, he’s totally original. He’s a true financial innovator and I respect that. As a person, he is a great role model. He’s ethical, he has high morals and values, he’s a family man, and a man of faith. Bill has several companies, one of which is Dallas Capital. http://www.dallascap.com/ is the website, you should check it out.
5) If you had just one question to ask your entrepreneurial icon/role model, what would it be?
I would probably ask something along these lines……
“Early in your career, when you started your first business, what were some of the obstacles you faced and how did you overcome those obstacles?”
6) What do you think is a key character trait of a successful entrepreneur?
I believe work ethic and social skills are key.
The entrepreneurs I know have always been very disciplined and they work extremely hard to accomplish their goals. They exercise regularly, they’re constantly learning, and they’re totally focused. I believe this is a huge part of what makes them successful.
Entrepreneurs also need to know how to work with all kinds of people. They need to be leaders, they need to sell their ideas, raise capital, and surround themselves with winners. The ability to make friends and influence people might be the most important piece of the puzzle.
