16A WHAT'S YOUR SECRET SAUCE?

WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT?

SELF ANALYSIS:

 1)  I'm very skeptical of gimmicks/shallow interactions.  I get frustrated by the flashiness and superficiality of a lot of modern products, services, and even daily human interactions.  As such, I try my best to avoid these and I think a lot about what truly matters in life.  I have been drawn more and more to the idea of well-made, sustainable products that look well-made, not expensive.  I believe that by creating reliable basics, whether that is products or services, people will be freed up to pursue what really matters in life. 2)  This is similar to point number 1, but I feel that people are what should come first in life.  I believe that every good, fulfilling thing in life stems from a sense of belonging and connectedness with a community.  Having nice things is in no way bad, but having the best car and the best house never truly brings fulfillment.  As such, my "business" ideas tend to be people oriented, and the product or service I would provide really serve as mediums to serve and connect people, not the other way around.  3)  I try my best to be myself.  I have never been attracted to the idea that you have to fit a certain mould in order to fit in.  I think some people seek individuality so much that they end up losing it, because they end up adhering to whatever mould or stereotype that they want to fit into, instead of doing what they ACTUALLY want to.  That's not to say I ignore people's advice about important matters,  I just try my best to not get too concerned if they don't like my hair or shoes or something.  I think that this will help me in my entrepreneurial endeavors because I am not afraid to break precedent.  4)  I try my best to treat people the way I would like to be treated.  I fail regularly, but I really do strive for it.  I hope to maintain this in my life and not put profit over the people.  By maintaining this, I hope to foster trusting employees, co-workers, friends, and family.  5)  I try to view things from the "least of these" perspective.  I want to try and do something that connects all people.  Food and beverage are common denominators.  everyone needs both, and I feel that they are good mediums to serve those in our communities that the rest forget about.

WHAT OTHERS SAID:

My friend Mia says that I have the ability to connect with people and assess their strengths and weaknesses, which may be useful in developing teams/cooperation in business.

My friend/roommate Matt says I'm personable.

My sister Whitney said I am disciplined.

My sister's boyfriend, Hunter said I am self-aware.

My friend Nick once basically said that I make my points arrogantly.  I have tried hard to work on that since then.

REFLECTION:  While the attributes those I interviewed described were not exactly the same as how I reflected on myself, they did not in any way contradict my analysis and I feel that in many ways they are interconnected-and possibly that my analysis is a more detailed explanation into the brief answers my interviewees gave.  Either way, I intend to play to these strengths during my entrepreneurial endeavors, as well as try to improve my weak points.  Nick's comment that I can be arrogant have lingered and I'm really trying to fix it.