Here is my interview with entrepreneur Andre Allen. He has been successful with real estate and in the shipping industry.
1. Tell me a little about yourself!
My name is Andre’ P. Allen. I am 53 yrs old from Indianapolis, Indiana. I am married with two sons and have resided in the Carolina since 1995.
I am an entrepreneur who owns multiple businesses. My businesses are in the forward shipping industry and in real estate.
2. Can you tell us a bit about 318 Coworking and what amenities are offered that a traditional business rental space wouldn’t provide?
318 Coworking was a business that I was brought in to manage. It was own by two investors who saw a need in the Gaston County market. The business offered shared and
private offices for use. This business offered short-term use of the office without an long-term lease agreements. The coworker had access to free WiFi, coffee and other
beverages, along with free printer use. The use of the office was available 24 hrs per day, 7 days per week.
3. How did this business rental space idea first come about?
Gastonia is growing. It offered an idea climate for business growth. At the time of the business, there were only two other co-working businesses within Gastonia. We thought
we could offer the same business with different incentives, one being the close proximity to local business in the CBD area.
4. What do you think is the benefit of an entrepreneur renting a coworking office?
The benefit of using a Coworking office for an entrepreneur is the reduction in business expenses, such as not have a long term lease agreement to commit to.
5. Is your business currently expanding or are you focusing on keeping your business as is?
Currently, we no longer operate the Coworking business. We found that the traction we were hoping to gain, was very slow as compared to the Charlotte market. We decided to
lease out the building to a single tenant.
6. When creating your business what would you say was the biggest set back?
Focusing on my other businesses, the biggest setback with all of them was the initial startup as it related to getting the business name out in the public so as to draw in clients.
Now that I have been in business for many years now, I am seeing that people now recognize the name and, therefore, the businesses are continuing to grow.
7. Do you find it important to have investors or do you think maintaining control over your business is more important?
I am a type A person. I want complete control of my businesses. I want ALL decision making responsibilities. Therefore, I do not believe it is important that I have investors involved
with my business as I would lose a lot of control as a result.
8. What do you think is the most important thing for founders to invest their money in, especially in the beginning of creating their startup?
Technology and education are the most important things an owner must invest their money in.
9. What do you look for in an investor?
If I were to look for an investor, I would look for someone who could support the business from a financial standpoint only. Or, someone who has a certain
specialty that could benefit the business. There would be no part ownership, or anything like that.
10. What other services or capital should an investor provide to the entrepreneurs they are working with besides just a monetary service?
Being able to offer advice that helps the business, is a great service that an investor could offer besides capital.
11. What do you think entrepreneur’s biggest mistakes are when introducing an investor?
I am not sure because I have never used an investor. If I had to guess, it would be allowing the investor to take control of the meeting, instead of allowing the investor to
be seen as a support to the business.
12. Is there any formal education you suggest entrepreneurs have and if so why?
I believe an entrepreneur should have the required education that his business requires. It’s the only way to be successful. Yes, you can hire people to do various tasks of the business
but, you need to have a working knowledge of what it takes to run the business to protect yourself from those who have self-interests in mind.
13. Do you think hands on experience or formal education is best suited for an entrepreneur?
I believe work experience, coupled with education, is key to an entrepreneur’s success.
14. Is your business active in the community? Would you say being active in your community is important?
My business is active from time to time through donations. Yes, it is important for the entrepreneur to be active in the community as they are able.
15. What is your opinion of family working together especially co-owning a business together?
I believe it is difficult for most people to work with family members. It is hard to not have favoritism. However, as long as agreements are in writing, I don’s see a problem.
Founders should have people skills, be a self-starter, organized, have technology skills, understand accounting, know the laws that affect your business.
16. What skills or talents do you suggest a founder have?
Founders should have people skills, be a self-starter, organized, have technology skills, understand accounting, know the laws that affect your business.
The founder should also be able to multi-task.
17. What is the biggest mistake you see new business owners make?
The biggest mistake that I see new business owners make is not paying attention to their expenses and over estimating their successes in the beginning.
18. What is your biggest advice for entrepreneurs right now suffering from the COVID-19
pandemic?
Learn how to do things virtually.
19. Do you have any more advice you would like to share that I did not touch on?
I do not, I think you covered everything!
20. If you can please provide social media accounts or your website do that my classmates
can checkout your business and use your services!
I will share my real estate website. www.thevirtualrealtygroup.com, www.vrgnc.com, www.vrgsc.com, http://www.ggkargo.com/home.html
