PRESENTATION OUTLINE
BackRound
- Debbi was born on September 18,1956 in Oakland California
- Spent her paychecks from Oakland A's baseball organization on cookie ingred
- She attended Foothill College in Los Altos, CA
- Married Randy Fields at age 19
- Published a cook book entitled, "I Love Chocolate"
At age 20, Debbi Fields no longer found satisfaction in being a housewife; she had always loved baking cookies and decided that she wanted to become an entrepreneur. Family and friends argued that the business would fail but Debbi managed to get a loan. In 1977, Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chippery opened in Palo Alto, CA. Mrs. Fields opening day started off slow, allowing Debbi the opportunity to go outside and offer samples to attract customers. As the business grew, Debbi made sure to make all of her regular and non-regular customers feel welcome and appreciated. Mrs. Fields recipe to success is to treat people with quality ingredients, care, and respect. Mrs. Fields now has 250 U.S. locations and 97 international stores in 23 countries.
Roles of an Entrepreneur
Innovator- Debbi Fields created a place where you could go nearby or right in the mall to enjoy delicious treats instead of taking a trip to the bakery or grocery store.
Strategist- Debbi had the vision of opening a cookie shop and made all of the decisions in starting her business and how it was going to play out. She came up with the ingredients, the menu, the decorations, etc.
Risk Taker- Debbi took risk taking to an extreme; she took a chance by opening a cookie shop. Even though Debbi was doubted by her friends and family and there was no guarantee for success, she managed to get her business booming.
Sparkplug- Mrs. Fields has the drive, confidence and determination to turn the idea of a cookie chain into a reality. Her enthusiasm and sweet smile was a big key to her success.
Characteristics of an Entrepreneur
Ambition- Debbi Fields saw a vision for herself in founding her own cookie business, she had the motivation and drive to make her business successful. She set high goals for herself and would not stop until they were achieved. Mr.Fields had doubted Debbi and told her she wouldn't be able to ring up $50 in sales on her first day, she accepted the challenge and proved her abilities when she managed to ring in $75 in sales the opening day.
Self-Confidence- Debbi had enough self confidence to make her vision come true, she knew what she was capable of achieving and she did just that. She felt her cookies were good enough to make a business out of, and she went for it.
Willingness to take risks- Mrs. Fields had negative comments coming in one after another doubting her ability to become an entrepreneur yet she still took a risk by putting money into her idea.
Energy & Self-Discipline- She was willing to put aside her housewife life and free time to start her business.
Characteristics Continued...
Perseverance & Problem- Solving Ability- Debbi refused to let failures get the best of her. Her opening day started off with no business so she decided to take her cookies to the streets. She stood outside giving samples to pedestrians in order to get feedback and attract customers, which worked incredibly.
Organizational Skills- Mrs. Fields was able to put full time and resources into her business. She gave up the relaxation in staying home in order to do what she loved, which was bake mouth watering cookies.
Ability to Motivate Others- Debbi had the incredible ability to convince and satisfy people. Her entire business revolved around pleasing others and putting smiles on the faces of strangers. After proving her husband wrong, Debbi aloud Mr. Fields to join her in their climb to success.
Citations
"Debbi Fields." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 June 2014. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
"Humble Beginnings Launched Mrs. Fields into 35 Years of Business." PRWeb. Vocus, 16 Apr. 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
"Entrepreneur's Hall of Fame: Debbi Fields." Debbi Fields. Let's Talk Business Network, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Written source:
16, October. "Mrs. Fields: Her Life as the Top Cookie : The Chips Never Seem to Be Down for the Smiling Founder of the Multimillion--Dollar Food Empire." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 1987. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
