Interview Questions

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The founders shaping culture, in their own words. These are the questions on our Interview Request form for Founders & Creatives. Every question is optional. One page, no sign-in.

The Basics

1. First name
2. Last name
3. Phone number
4. Email
5. Instagram handle
6. Brand / company
7. Website
8. Photo link — paste an Instagram, Imgur or a shared drive link

Your Brand, In Your Words

Example answers are only there to help. Write yours in your own voice.

9. Mission — what does your brand do, for whom, and why now?
10. Vision — what does the world look like when your brand has won?
11. Tagline — your brand in one line.
12. Elevator pitch — 30 seconds, no jargon.
13. Core pillars — the 3 to 5 things your brand stands on.
14. Who is your ideal customer, and what problem keeps them up at night?
15. What is your offer, and why is it the obvious choice over every alternative?
16. What is your 10X goal — the version of your brand that would scare you to say out loud?
17. What are you doing every single day to get more attention for your brand?
18. What is the biggest obstacle between you and scale right now?
19. Obscurity or criticism: which have you feared more, and why?

The Founder's DNA

Answer like you're on a magazine cover. Skip anything you like.

20. Origin: what was the moment you decided you would never work for anyone else's dream again?
21. What do you believe about your industry that most people in it would publicly disagree with?
22. What did you do with the first real money your work ever made you?
23. Your biggest failure so far, and the exact lesson it cost you.
24. Who is your rival — a person, a company or a version of yourself — and what are you doing to win?
25. What is the most controversial decision you've made in business, and would you make it again?
26. What daily habit would surprise people the most?
27. Fame, wealth, freedom or impact: rank them.
28. Your core values — the 3 rules you won't break, even when it costs you.

The Future

29. How far ahead do you actually plan?
    • This year
    • 5 years
    • A lifetime
    • Several generations
    • Further than anyone will remember me
30. What is your opinion on space exploration — worth it, overrated, or the most important project we have?
31. Off-planet living, or one Earth, one life? Where do you stand?
    • One Earth, one life — this is home
    • Earth first, then the Moon and Mars
    • Settle across the solar system
    • Out among the stars — no ceiling
32. Would you sign up for a one-way trip to start something new on another world? Why or why not?
33. Superintelligence: what is your opinion on machines smarter than humans? Opportunity, threat, or both?
34. If your work could survive one thousand years, what part of it would you want people to still be using?
35. Is legacy something you build for your family, or for strangers who haven't been born yet?
    • My family and people I know
    • My city and my generation
    • People centuries from now
    • Whoever is out there, wherever they end up

The Runway Report — Your Take

Four headlines from this week's Nightlife Report broadcast. Give us your reaction in a sentence or two.

36. Style Capital has taken control of No. 21, and founder Alessandro Dell'Acqua stays on as creative director. Should founders sell and stay, or walk away? (Source: Women's Wear Daily)
37. Versace's Atelier returns to Paris Couture in January 2027 under Pieter Mulier. Does couture still matter, or is it theater for the few?
38. Gucci, under Demna, opens at 56 Avenue Montaigne, while Margiela x Gentle Monster drops 68 pieces in 8 cities. Are big collaborations art or marketing?
39. Anok Yai takes all three covers of Vogue Brazil, and Liu Wen makes her tenth Victoria's Secret walk. Who decides who becomes a face today — editors or audiences? (Source: PanAsiaBiz)

Closing

40. TED stage: you get 18 minutes to change one mind. What's the talk called?
41. Your own question & answer — ask yourself anything and answer it.

Ready to answer?

Pick the questions you like and skip the rest. Photos can be sent through the link on the form. Questions about the process: editor@nightlifereport.app.

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