Amazing discussion with Mary Contreras, Owner/Agent of a State Farm Office. Talk about energy, ideas, enthusiasm and drive. Smart woman who reached the glass ceiling in corporate, packed it up and started her own agency 15 years ago and has become a powerful force in the local business community. We spent an hour talking about her background, personal philosophy about success, business, entrepreneurship and lots of other topics. She's truly passionate about helping others and it shows in how she runs her business, the people she hires, decisions she's made along the way. Great suggestions for students who want to learn more about entrepreneurship and owning their own small business. Excellent discussion on reasons why businesses fail... lots of good common sense that will show up in my final analysis.
On the way out, she introduced me to a fellow with another interesting entrepreneurial story. I'll write about that one soon when we meet next week. Great progress today. Tomorrow, two more interviews with some very interesting folks --- Phil Hoffman of Alphagraphics and James Duffield of Western Air.
