Very Short Interview No. 1

For my short interview, I interviewed Peggy Sammons, owner of Creative Kids Preschool.  Peggy purchased this preschool back in 1996 and has been in business over since.  Helping parents, but more importantly, helping children as they learn the fundamentals that they will need to enter kindergarten and progress through Elementary school.  I consider Peggy an Entrepreneur for multiple reasons.  The first reason is Peggy sees a huge opportunity to be successful in a business doing what she loves.  This shows in the daily care and the atmosphere at the school.  Another reason includes the continual uncertainty that occurs each year as kids move on to Elementary Schools, leaving vacancies in the program.  She strives to provide a fun, educational, and safe environment for her children to grow and learn.  Her continued success is a testament to the service she provides to families around our County. I asked Peggy the following questions, and she was gracious enough to take the time in her busy day to answer them. 

Question #1- What does it mean to be an Entrepreneur?

Answer- First, let me say that I never saw myself as a business owner 20 plus years ago.  I remember sitting on my front porch, crying, and praying to God that the business deal of purchasing my first preschool would not go through.  The proposal to purchase the school was from a friend of mine and I felt so inadequate to have the responsibility.  Obviously, God saw me differently than I saw myself.  Being an entrepreneur is a two edged sword for me.  On one side it is nice to be able to be “The Boss” and make daily decisions and on the other you have the ramifications of a bad decision. I find myself working more hours at home and on weekends that anyone knows, therefore sometimes making less than my employees and others think I make.

Question #2- What do you wish you had been taught in school before setting out on your own path as an entrepreneur?

Answer- I wish I had been taught record keeping and more computer programs on business management.  I fumbled through those areas twenty years ago and learned from my own mistakes.  Sometimes those mistakes were minor but a few cost me a lot of money.

Questions #3- What do you think that I should learn in this entrepreneurship course?

Answer- Everything you can!  There is not a lesson that won’t benefit you in the future.  Especially those that will give you better insight to manage your business.

I thanked Peggy for her time, and greatly appreciate what she did for me in answering these questions.  I would have to say that my biggest surprise, was that this woman who is always smiling, is so great with all the children, and seems to have been put on this earth to do what she is doing, had so many insecurities at first.  Managing any business is a difficult task, and to learn as you go is quite something!  I learned that having the right attitude and perseverance to push on during the bad times is a must to be a successful business owner and entrepreneur.