Hussam "Sam" Hamadeh

Leslie Esdaile Banks


Jeffrey Sterling

Douglas Chu



TEACHING & LEARNING
Custom Builder Has Designs on Future

Powers of Concentration: Wharton's Undergraduate Entrepreneurs

OUTREACH
Between a Rocket and a Hard Place

Flying High

Islands of Opportunity

Faces of Wharton Entrepreneurship

RESEARCH
The Vanishing $7 Billion: An Options Approach to Corporate R&D

2002 Philadelphia 100 Find High Growth in Downturn

 


Personal Information

Douglas Chu, Co-President, Taste of Nature, Inc.

Company description: Candy Manufacturer/Distributor

Education: W'90

Primary place of residence:
Santa Monica, CA

It would surprise people that I….:
Sell Candy

P.O.V. (Point of View)

I became an entrepreneur because…: I wanted to try something different from investment banking.

Best way to respond to criticism and doubters: Believe in yourself and what you do. If it is constructive criticism, then it is ok to listen and learn.

Best definition of a successful entrepreneur: : Someone who is flexible and open minded, and not afraid to work hard.

Most challenging part of your job: : Being able to recognize customer needs and adapting to them if necessary.

Biggest impact of the Wharton School: A curriculum that fosters a strong work ethic, important to the success of an entrepreneur.

Best memory of your Wharton days. Philly cheesesteaks!

Close calls

How you started your business: : $15,000 of seed money and working out of the garage of my parents house.

Pivotal moment in growing your business: Deciding to mainstream our business from healthy snacks to candies catapulted sales.

Most interesting non-entrepreneurial job offer you've declined: Real estate venture consultant.

Biggest surprise you encountered growing your business: : How difficult it is to manage people/employees.

Most difficult decision you're glad you made: To start my own business.

Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur

Favorite Web site: www.epicurious.com

Book that most influenced your thinking: The Fountainhead

Favorite activity outside of business: cooking

Goal still pursuing: better communicator

Person most influential to your success: everyone i have a meaningful conversation with...

Person you most admire: ?

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