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.
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| 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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