Seb-310_Reflection_Paper

Reflection Essay: Brian Gordon Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship SBE 310 Written By Robert Walsh Table of Context Introduction to Brian………………………………………………………..3 Early History………………………………………………………………...3 Work History………………………………………………………………...3 Challenges…………………………………………………………………..4 The Bakery…………………………………………………………………..4 Measure of Success………………………………………………………..4 Brian’s Success……………………………………………………………..5 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..5 References………………………………………………………………….6 Brian Gordon was the owner, operator of a successful small bakery in Baton Rouge by the name of “ Donuts a GO GO”. He has proven his knowledge for business as well as his desire to please his customers creates a successful entrepreneurial experience. Gordon had always known from watching his parents, that he was going to own a business of his own. Early life experiences as an EMT provide the leadership qualities that were necessary to lead a group as an operator owner. Gordon finally took his experience gained from his great bakery endeavor to start a second business that is still thriving today. Motivation, support, and drive all made the experience in owning a small business a success in his eyes. Brian grew up in a household with a family that focused on a family business. By everyone helping out in the business no matter how little the task Brian developed the knowledge and work ethic that is necessary to run a small business of his own some day. Later in life Brian found leadership qualities not only as an EMT but also when he was in the military. He learned he had a love for food while enlisted and had a dream of working in a food industry some day. Brian came out of the service and realized that making his dream was going to take more than just aspirations and went to school to become ne EMT in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He worked there for several years encounter several rewarding along with less than rewarding experiences. It wasn’t until later in his career that Brian found himself asking if he had made revenue to start his dream. The answer was made for him on a night while working on a call; Brian had made several accomplishments with out any recognition and found himself questioning his passion for being and EMT. “The main reason I started the bakery was that I had become tired of working for someone else, not getting the recognition I felt was disserved for the job I was doing and also I got tired of people trying to die on me every day.” (Gordon) The biggest challenges Brian had when he started his bakery were that he did not know the first thing about baking. Brian learned quickly that he must surround himself with good people that knew the things he don’t. He quickly realized that he must be willing to put in the hours to learn every aspect of the business he had started and that he couldn’t just be a good motivator, leader and organizer, rather the he must be able to fill in for anyone that does not show up to work. Brian started “Donuts a Go-Go” and ran it successfully for 12 years until the lease on the building he was operating in was not renewed, with the state of the economy at the time he felt it was not worth the risk to go into debt to purchase a building to try to start over at a different location. Rather than trying to find a new building to move his building Briand chose to help his wife start a home based embroidery business. Brian and his wife have decided to focus on building that business and not reopening the bakery at this point. The measure of success can be very subjective. When Brian was faced with the question of whether or not he found him self-successful in his first business endeavors he replied in the following way. “I feel I am successful because I have a great family and a loving wife that has stood behind me in every endeavor I have undertaken. As for success as a measure of monetary means my bakery paid for, my house, my wife’s’ car, daughter’s car, and I was able to take trips whenever I wanted to. I was also able to bank close to 150 thousand dollars in liquid assets. With all that said I feel I was successful in my endeavor.” (Gordon) Brian was successful because he was able to acquire some monetary savings, personal possessions, and a piece of mind that he could do anything he set his mind to. A successful person is all in one’s perspective. The person that will but it all on the line to start a business is one that is willing to risk it all to make his dreams come true, he is self assured in his abilities to make a difference in his community. He also cannot fear failure and must know that failure will only come when you give up trying. Brian has exhibited all of the traits stated above along with taking the falls of a business that some would say failed. Brian takes full advantage of his prior experience in the bakery to apply to his new endeavor. The ability to learn from the challenges in running the bakery has made the new adventure in the embroidery business a success. From the time Brian was young helping his with his family business he has evolved and shown the ability to apply what he learns to make himself and his business successful. Brian continues to show great business savvy, which will lead his continued entrepreneurial success. References Gordon, B. (2012, 11 01). Interview by R Walsh [Personal Interview].