Shane and Peter Challenging Entrepreneurs to an Interview, Part 2

The moment I saw Shane and Peter’s post, I knew James wouldn’t be able to resist the challenge – and I also knew he’d drag me along with him into the fray.

Such is life with James!

The Interview

What’s your personal mission statement?

“I know what I’m doing! Take my word for it!”

What’s the biggest mess you’ve dealt with this year?

Does a new kitten with the runs count? Business-wise, I think it was the same fiasco James discussed. That experience was as demoralizing as being a contestant on a reality show. At one point I think I said to James, “What the hell is this, Survivor Freelance?”

What current entrepreneurial efforts consume your time?

Trying to keep James on track. Believe me, that’s a full time job in itself. Other than that, I’m constantly trying to improve my psychic abilities in order to better serve our clients.

Why do you do what you do? What inspires you? When do you get most excited?

Good question. Why do I do what I do… Maybe because I’ve been doing it (graphics and writing) for as long as I can remember. Trying to do something else never worked.

Not wanting to sound cliché, I think everything inspires me. People, songs, movies, books… All of it serves its purpose sooner or later to keep me going.

Now, if I really told you what gets me excited, we’d have to put an X rating on the site. To answer the question, though, I think I get the most excited when I feel confident about a project and run with it.

Boxers or Briefs? or as Naomi says, Bikini or Thong, duh?!?

Gotta say, I’m a boxer-briefs kinda guy.

What do you do when you’re not [designing | programming | managing | writing | toiling for the wo/man]?

When I’m not slaving away at the computer, I’m either out in the yard taking in some target practice with the bow (archery, people), in the garage futzing with the bike (an ’04 Honda VTX 1800 I call “Lucifer”), riding the bike, getting caught up on my reading, watching movies, or that all-time favorite of freelancers – sleeping.

What one thing made the biggest difference when getting started?

Having a good support system. Leaving the world of 9-5 was a scary thing. I had tried freelancing when I first got out of college. It was horrible. If the people around you (friends and family) have faith in you, it’s very easy to have faith in yourself.

What’s your exit strategy?

“Yo, Jamie, what’s an exit strategy?”

“What you do when you have to leave the business.”

*shrugs on a parachute and hands one to James as the basket starts to go up in flames* “Good luck, it’s been real.”

What is the last thing that made you belly laugh?

Watching “Kung Fu Hustle” on DVD last night.

Have you ever been in business before?

Several times. Had I known then what I know now, I probably would have had a better time of it.

At what point do you consider yourself successful?

I already consider myself successful. I’m working at home doing a job I love and loving what I do.

What was your first experience with a computer?

When I got my first graphics job, they asked me if I knew Quark. I needed the job badly, answered yes, sweated bullets all weekend, borrowed time on a friend’s computer and learned how to work a computer.

Steve Jobs vs Bill Gates in a jello wrestling match, where’s your money?

That’s a no-brainer. Steve of course.

Where do you do your best thinking?

Where do most men do their best thinking? In the garage. *grins* Actually, I do my best thinking when I’m out riding. Lots of time to think out on the road.

What does your average daily work / life balance look like? How much time do you work, play and sleep?

I’m still working on that. Things used to be totally out of whack until I devised The Schedule. It took some getting used to, but now that I take the time to plan out my day, I find I actually have more time to do things like play and sleep.

If I could introduce you to anyone, who would it be?

Oh man, what a question – and I’ve just drawn a total blank. There’s so many people I’d like to meet that I’m having a hard time naming one.

What stops you from giving up when you are frustrated?

James.

If Chuck Norris and Steven Hawking had a baby (hey it’s my damn interview), would you vote for her for president?

Speaking of Chuck Norris, have you ever noticed that in Bruce Lee’s “Return of the Dragon”, when Chuck steps off the plane, that he resembles a young Homer Simpson? As for voting, hell, anyone’s better than Hillary.

My question: If you could go back in time to do anything differently with your business, what would it be?

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