Describe a small and successful company that you know
IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer
How did you hear about the company?
I would like to talk about a family business called "Maeng Da" or in English, "Sweet Rice Cake". The owners started this small business twenty-six years ago. First, they sold sweet rice cakes on the streets of our city with a pushcart and then later moved into selling them in local supermarkets until finally, they were able to open their first store. Now they have an expanding chain of stores across the country that sell all kinds of fresh foods and snacks for everyday life.
Recently, my mom's cousin who lives in another city was visiting us and after seeing the sweet rice cake store, he told us about his own small business which produces roasted nuts. He started the company just four years ago, and it's been such a great success that he's planning to expand to other cities. My mom says he should come over and see all the opportunities we have for his nuts here in our city!
Sweet Rice Cake, Inc. is located right outside of New York City, specializes in traditional Asian rice cakes and desserts made with natural ingredients and no preservatives. The business was started by Chung-ok Lee and her husband twenty-six years ago as a pushcart on NYC streets, but now they supply their items to over 50 stores throughout the country. Currently, Chung-ok Lee is planning on expanding the business.
How did this company become successful?
The company became successful because she did 3 things: she started the company by selling the rice cakes on NYC streets, then looked for clientele outside of NYC, and expanded her product line.
By starting small, she didn't need to worry about expensive retail premises or anything like that. She focused on getting customers, which she did by selling her rice cakes to Koreans in NYC. From there, she expanded outside of New York City to places where Korean Americans would migrate to (i.e., Washington DC, Houston).
She also kept the company small and manageable: both Chung-ok and her husband work full time at the business, and their son manages the website and online business orders. This way, they don't need a large staff or expensive equipment—it keeps costs low enough that more people can buy their product without increasing prices too much.
What is your opinion about the company?
I think this company is an example of how people can be successful if they keep working hard no matter what happens. That is why I think the company achieved huge success.
IELTS Speaking Tip
Sometimes the IELTS cue card question is about a 'small and successful' company or a 'small company in your hometown/city'.
Be prepared to modify your answer according to the exact wording of the IELTS cue card or candidate task card you are given on the day of your IELTS Speaking Test.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card
Describe a successful company that you know.
You should say:
- How did you hear about the company?
- How did this company become successful?
- What is your opinion about the company?
Describe a Small and Successful Company in Your Hometown/City
IELTS Cue Card Sample AnswerI'd like to tell you about my cousin's company. He's an electrician and has been working in the construction industry for a few years.
About 6 months ago, he decided he wanted to start his own business because he didn't really like where he was working or his boss.
He talked with one of his coworkers, and they decided to start their electrical installation and repair business together.
They started doing many domestic repair work, emergencies, and things like that. Then they managed to get a contract with a new house builder here in the city.
They won the contract because they were ready to work seven days a week to get the project finished on time, and that's why the building developer chose them.
Now they have many more construction contracts, and they hired two more electrical technicians to help with all the work they have.
It seems they do excellent work at reasonable prices, and the word is spreading. They even have their own Facebook page and Twitter and post helpful information and tips for people about domestic appliances and how to save money on their energy bills at home.
They are modern in their approach.
In my opinion, they became successful because they are willing to work hard, be flexible about when and where they work and are also good at what they do
If there are any problems, they fix them - no questions. That's why they're popular with contractors and construction bosses.
They do a great job, fast and with no problems. They always do what they say they will do.
Follow-up Questions
Describe a successful small business that has expanded into foreign markets
We have many small companies started by family members across the country. But there is one company in the capital city that has outperformed many other small businesses in the same sector.
In the beginning, it was competing with a similar company but a much bigger clothing business in the same sector. But this small company garnered huge popularity when it started selling t-shirts with funny sayings.
The company is now an internationally known brand name. It has its website, online shop, celebrity endorsements, and even a line of school supplies for children!
It was a great business in the early days, and its success basically took it to an even greater level.
It wasn't always that successful, not until it started selling t-shirts. And now the small business has many products on its list, including t-shirts, mugs, stationery items for children learning how to write and draw properly at the early stages of their lives!
How did the company become so popular? What was the turning point in its life?
The story of its success is an example to all entrepreneurs. It started with a business that wasn't successful initially but what happened next is the main thing that made this business an inspiring one for many others.
It's hard to believe now! But the t-shirts were not selling well at first because nobody wanted them! That was until an entrepreneur came along and changed everything around. This small company became popular overnight after she came up with something new and innovative ideas for t-shirt printing!
The CEO of the company admitted that there were some problems at first, but they didn't give up, and they worked harder to find solutions for these problems. And now their products are recognized worldwide!