Video Discussion Questions Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, 4/e by Thomas W. Zimmerer and Norman M. Scarborough

Joan Rivers Worldwide Enterprises 1. In what ways does Joan Rivers demonstrate the characteristics of the “typical entrepreneur”? 2. In the video, Joan Rivers says, “Have 40 balloons up there, and if one doesn’t pop, they’ll say, ‘She’s brilliant. She had that idea.’ What they don’t realize was that was one of a million ideas you’ve tried.” How does Rivers’ statement relate to the way most entrepreneurs view failure?

Joan Rivers Worldwide Enterprises 3. Joan Rivers says, “A lot of our business has come from ‘Let’s do it, let’s try it, let’s see.’ ” What does she mean? Do you think this attitude is typical of other entrepreneurs?

TheWaggingTail.com 1. Which characteristics of the “typical entrepreneur” does owner Keith Durst exhibit? 2. Describe TheWaggingTail.com’s target customer. 3. What advantages does TheWaggingTail.com offer pet owners?

TheWaggingTail.com 4. In what ways has Keith Durst differentiated his business from “ordinary” dog kennels? 5. What role does technology play in TheWaggingTail.com’s success?

Build-A-Bear Workshop 1. Which of the three business strategies described in Chapter 2 is Maxine Clark using? Explain. 2. In what ways has Clark set Build-A-Bear Workshop apart from the typical toy store?

Build-A-Bear Workshop 3. Would the Build-A Bear concept make a successful franchise? Explain. Describe the sources of Build-A-Bear’s competitive advantage. Describe the sources of Build-A-Bear’s competitive advantage.

Zoots 1. Describe Zoots’ target customer. 2. The video never mentions Zoots’ prices or how they compare to those of their competitors. How do you think their prices compare to those of competitors? How important do you think price is to the typical Zoots customer. Explain.

Zoots 3. How has Zoots’ marketing strategy enabled the company to gain a competitive advantage over its rivals in the dry cleaning business? 4. Describe the opportunities and threats that Zoots faces as it grows.

Strike Holdings LLC 1. How has Tom Shannon created a competitive edge for Strike Holdings LLC? 2. In what ways has Shannon repackaged the simple game of bowling to appeal to his company’s target customers? How successful has he been?

Strike Holdings LLC 3. Given its marketing strategy, what opportunities and threats does Strike Holdings face?

The Golf Network 1. How is Greg Matzel using the World Wide Web to create a competitive advantage for The Golf Network? 2. Refer to the “Strategies for E-Success” in Chapter 7 of your book. Which of these strategies is Greg Metzel using?

The Golf Network 3. Visit the Web site for The Golf Network at What suggestions can you make for improving the Web site? (Hint: You may want to read “Designing a Killer Web Site” in Chapter 7 of your book.) 4. What recommendations can you make to Greg Matzel for advertising The Golf Network?

Bay Partners 1. Bay Partners’ mission statement is to “identify new technologies in networking, wireless, and software and invest in companies that leverage these innovations to create and lead new market opportunities.” How did sticking to their mission during the rise (and subsequent fall) of the dot.coms benefit the venture capital firm?

Bay Partners 2. Explain the process by which venture capital firms screen small business candidates as possible investments. 3. What do venture capital firms such as Bay Partners look for when considering making an investment in a small company? 4. Describe the benefits a venture capital firm can offer a growing small business.

MyTeam.com 1. Venture capitalist Ted Dintersmith says that MyTeam.com “is appealing on multiple dimensions.” What are some of the characteristics of the company that make it unique and so appealing to professional investors? 2. What do venture capitalists look for when considering making an investment in a small company?

MyTeam.com 3. Describe several sources of financing that MyTeam.com might rely on to finance its growth.

Crunch Fitness 1. CEO Jim Solomon says that Crunch Fitness locations will be successful only in major urban areas. Do you agree? Explain. 2. Visit the Crunch Fitness Web site at to get a sense of the company’s unique approach to the fitness market. Develop a list of factors the company should consider when selecting a location for its new fitness centers.

Crunch Fitness 3. Select a city you think would be suitable for locating a new Crunch Fitness center and use the resources on the Web site for your book at to research the demographics of that city. Offer convincing evidence that the city would be a profitable location for Crunch Fitness.

Neema Clothing 1. How important is the purchasing function to Neema Clothing? Explain. 2. What advantages have an effective purchasing strategy and tight inventory control given Neema in the men’s clothing industry? 3. What benefits does Neema’s electronic data interchange (EDI) system produce for both the company and its customers?

CESSI 1. Why do disabled people have a difficult time finding employment? 2. How important are hiring decisions to the typical small business? Explain. 3. What steps can business owners take to minimize the likelihood of making hiring mistakes?

CESSI 4. In the video, Fred Cherry says, “The goal of this company is to help. Yes, we make money. We have to make a living, but I love to see…the people who work for CESSI happy…and helping someone, especially the people with disabilities.” Is earning a profit incompatible with fulfilling a company’s social responsibility? Explain.

Second Gear Bicycles 1. What is social responsibility? Identify several areas in which a company has a responsibility to society. 2. How is Jason Upshaw demonstrating his company’s social responsibility? 3. Should a company be able to “escape” its responsibility to society simply because it is small? Explain.