Thursday, 30 October 2014

A Man with a Vision... A Man on Fire


As I look back at this interview my desire is that we all become entrepreneurs in our own rights, that we all think outside the box and keep on creating. Introducing to you Mr. Bertrand John aka

Heavenz Dzign.


    










 Me: What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business? How did the idea for your business come about?
Heavenz: I started off as not entirely a business but a ministry (non-profit) to change persons and businesses within the Gospel to eradicate mediocre thinking. The Passion for design and professionalism soon became a business idea and soon after little by little I became zealous to go out on my own, especially when I saw as a designer when you work under an institution, you the individual is hardly ever recognized, so I knowing my strength, I decided to make a name for myself.

 Me: How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
Heavenz: I can only do that through person who can understand the vision and care for other persons needs but themselves, I put my clients needs above mine, working to ensure their satisfaction, only when someone can understand and put to action the force of service in front then you know.
Mr John aka Heavenz Dzign

     Me: How important have good employees been to your success?
Heavenz: One hand cannot clap and a sea vessel cannot sail with out the sea, there most be coordination between to entities or more to achieve success or goal. It is a necessity to have good employees to enhance you, the vision, the journey and goal.
A business is only good as its people.

    Me:  What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Heavenz: Think big
                 Know your Value, know your Worth
                 Believe in yourself because there is greatness in you

   Me: If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Heavenz: This is a good question, I would simple put structure in place first, think business firstly and not hustle. I would project where I will like to go in business as well as project where I want the business to carry me, see things first, plan first, structure first.


     Me: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
    Heavenz:  Self will to ignite (determination)
                    Motivation
                   Hard work

     Me:   What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Heavenz: My failures were more in managing finances, keeping record of every sale and services coming out of my hands- Managing Finances and Proper Records mean more money J , this ensure you to see growth in your business and within youself.

      Me: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Heavenz: I never give up, I allow the idea to give itself up on me, no ideas are entirely always bad, some which are downloaded into your thinking are for a specific time and season. Today’s idea may not be for this time (today) but it can surely worth you wild tomorrow. The richest person is a dead person as they die with multi-billion dollar IDEAS. Not one but many.

     Me:  How many hours do you work a day on average?
Heavenz: Haha this is funny almost never sleep.

       Me: Describe/outline your typical day?
Heavenz: My days hmmm lol... I get up – fine myself in front the machine, check my mails.
Ready myself (Shower & Brush Teeth lol ) and begin working – I spend almost the entire day working and conceptualizing, sometimes I miss Breakfast, lunch & dinner, when I eat that’s when I realize I am hungry. I am not encouraging you to do this and follow this pattern its bad. Its not good time management but this is how I started.

      Me: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Heavenz: It was tough, I could not sometimes meet all my monthly commitments- It took time away from them, even cause a lil separation but all that eventually changed when all hard word paid off.

     Me: What motivates you?
Heavenz: The thoughts of living a comfortable life, being a provider for my family by not just leaving a legacy but overall an inheritance, but in all honesty the best motivation comes from self motivation… will yourself to success, discouragement will come but hold ground to purpose and destiny. A success person is one who stands on rough waters.


      Me: How do you generate new ideas?
Heavenz: Spend some lonely and quite times thinking.

     Me: How far are you willing to go to succeed?
Heavenz: As far as it takes the wind to seize blowing.

      Me: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Heavenz: My greatest fear can be failure but what is failure without trying and getting back on your feet and starting over. Like a old Mario Nintendo game you never accepted failure as you hurdled over obstacles to meet your goal, when your game was over you simply pressed start and tried again.

      Me: What are your ideals?
Heavenz: Creating Perfection & Creating Standard

     Me: How do you define success?
Heavenz: Success by me if defined by your customer’s satisfactory. Success comes knocking with every smile and gratitude from your clients as they determine the growth and success of your business.  A bad reputation and negative words can break your business.

    Me:  What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Heavenz: To have long term plans with long term structure.

     Me: Is your company profitable or what is your profit for last year?
Heavenz: Yes the company is profitable.

     Me: Where did your organization's funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Heavenz: Personally speaking your greater investor is yourself, we all need capital/funding to get off the ground, but I started with nothing, a laptop and my Aunt’s coffee or dining table.

     Me:  How do you build a successful customer base?
Heavenz: By targeting those who’s in need of your services, eg. I do Advertising, I know at some point everyone in business need something done sooner or later, some or many may have there own designers, art board etc. but it does not stop me from making myself or my business known to persons.  The directory is my play ground to find potential clients and build a network. Social Media is the place for business, anyone who is getting into business should work more on social networks than play. Just my opinion.

      Me: How did you decide on the location for your business?
Heavenz: You should think of the demographic of your location. Who here in this location is in need of your services and beneficial toy your growth. The Environment should be acceptable and also profitable. Rituals Coffee shop you may find on the frontline or busy street corner not in the drag mall in Port-of-Spain capital.

     Me: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Heavenz: No there isn’t.

      Me: If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Heavenz: Sorry I don’t follow much persons in history.

     Me: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Heavenz: David Airey

       Me: What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)
Heavenz: The Bible of course! As a man thinketh.

     Me: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Heavenz: Being controller of your own time and destiny.
      
 Me:To what do you most attribute your success? What would say are the five key elements for starting and running a successful business?
  Heavenz:  Determination
                   Persistence
                    Structure
                    A Heart for Service
                    Loyalty

     Me: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Heavenz: To see your business highlighted as being a sponsor for major event.



Me: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Heavenz: Easy you can define your destiny rather than someone define it for you.

      Me: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Heavenz: Word of Mouth & Facebook has been the most successful marketing elements I Used.

     Me: What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Heavenz: I will say a culture of I can and I am… the I am Factor culture is relevant as it is taken from biblical scripture. I am!!! The culture of being self motivated to speak into ones self by saying I AM SUCCESS, I AM WEALTH, I AM BUSINESS… you are who you say you are.

       Me: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Heavenz: Hardworking

       Me: What are some of the biggest mistakes you've made?
Heavenz: My biggest mistake will be again not have proper financial management
         
Me: How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Heavenz: LOL having an accountant like Emerson Abdullah LOL

      Me: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Heavenz: Write music, spend time in studio recording

       Me: What makes you happy?
Heavenz: Seeing others happy and music lol

       Me: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Heavenz: Time and Time

       Me:  Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Heavenz: I admire mostly foreign companies and business men Like David Airey & Joel Grimes

         Me: Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
Heavenz: Owning my own Company Building and supplying more and greater services, as for me being financially free.

Mr John also delves in other streams of income such as his newly acquired business known as Kreative Wall Art.

Check out his album via this link:
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