Suggested Informational-Interview Questions for Entrepreneurs

Do not be limited by these questions! Ask questions to which YOU want to know the answers.

  • What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business? How did the idea for your business come about?
  • How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
  • How important have good employees been to your success?
  • What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
  • If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
  • What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
  • What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
  • How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
  • How many hours do you work a day on average?
  • Describe/outline your typical day?
  • How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
  • What motivates you?
  • How do you generate new ideas?
  • How far are you willing to go to succeed?
  • What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
  • What are your ideals?
  • How do you define success?
  • What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
  • Is your company profitable or what is your profit for last year?
  • Where did your organization's funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
  • How do you build a successful customer base?
  • How did you decide on the location for your business?
  • Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
  • If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
  • Who has been your greatest inspiration?
  • What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)
  • What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
  • To what do you most attribute your success? What would say are the five key elements for starting and running a successful business?
  • What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
  • What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
  • How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
  • What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
  • In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
  • What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
  • How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
  • What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
  • What makes you happy?
  • What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
  • Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
  • Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
  • If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?