You should say: who this person is, how you know this person, why and how they started the business, what kind of business they run, and explain why you think their business is successful.
The model answers below are taken from a members-only video lesson.
Watch the full lesson:
Download the audio track and full transcript of the lesson here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/tracywang/extras
Speaker: Finn
The person who comes to mind is a close friend of mine named Daniel, who runs a really successful independent coffee shop just a few minutes from our university. We’ve known each other for about three years because we’re on the same degree programme, so I’ve actually watched him build the business from scratch.
Daniel has always been a bit of a coffee enthusiast—or a coffee snob, as we like to tease him. Even when we first met, he was constantly talking about different types of beans and experimenting with brewing methods. About a year ago, he decided to take the plunge and turn that passion into a business. He’d saved money from part-time jobs, and his older brother also helped him with a small loan, so he had enough to rent a little shop near campus.
The café is fairly small. It mainly serves specialty coffee, tea, and pastries, along with a few simple lunch options. What really sets it apart is the atmosphere. Daniel has put a lot of thought into the interior, so it feels warm and relaxed rather than like a typical chain café. It’s become a popular place for students to study, meet friends, or grab a coffee between lectures.
I’d definitely say the business has been a success. Daniel really understands his customers because he’s a student himself. He knew there was a demand for good-quality coffee at a reasonable price, as well as reliable Wi-Fi and plenty of power outlets. He’s also built a strong following on social media, and word-of-mouth has brought in a lot of customers.
What impresses me most is that he manages to run the café while balancing a full-time degree. Seeing someone my own age turn a personal passion into a thriving business is genuinely inspiring.
Speaker : Blondie
The person who comes to mind is a woman named Clara, who owns a boutique Pilates and movement studio in my neighborhood. I don’t know her on a deep personal level—I’m just a regular client at her studio—but we occasionally chat before or after classes.
From what she’s mentioned over time, she actually worked in corporate finance for well over a decade. She was making a great living, but the brutal hours and desk-bound lifestyle eventually took a toll on her physical health. She started taking Pilates to recover from a chronic back injury, fell in love with the practice, and eventually got certified as an instructor. About three years ago, she decided to walk away from finance altogether. She noticed that most fitness spaces in our area were either massive, intimidating chain gyms or prohibitively expensive private studios, so she saw a clear gap in the market for a more welcoming, community-focused space.
Her business is essentially an intimate movement studio offering small-group reformer Pilates, mat classes, and personalized one-to-one sessions.
I’d definitely consider her business a massive success, primarily because her classes are usually booked out weeks in advance. In an industry that can often feel super intense or superficial, she’s managed to build an environment where people feel genuinely supported. From a purely business perspective, keeping a physical storefront profitable in a high-rent neighborhood is extremely tough, but her customer retention is exceptionally high. She doesn’t even need to spend much money on advertising because word-of-mouth does most of the work for her. Seeing someone build such a thriving local business from scratch is just really impressive.
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