(Update 2026) Describe a Person You Know Who Has a Successful Business

Describe a Person You Know Who Has a Successful Business

Part 2

You should say:

• Who this person is
• How you got to know him/her
• Why and how he/she started the business
• What business he/she does
• And explain why you think the business is successful

Sample Answer 1

Well, I’d like to talk about my friend Amy, who owns a coffee brand. It’s a fast-growing business that has become more and more popular among young people in our community.

We’ve known each other for donkey’s years. Amy has always been really enterprising and creative, and she had always wanted to establish her own business one day. She started by opening a small cafe in our neighborhood, and now the business is well-developed with several branches in the community. It also has a professional marketing team and a clear business strategy.

Amy is truly a good leader. She is mainly in charge of the overall operation of the company. She pays a lot of attention to the quality and sourcing of the coffee beans. And also, she cares a lot about the company’s branding. Amy came up with the idea of making the cafes pet-friendly.

On top of that, she insisted that the interior design should be highly Instagrammable, so people go there not only for coffee but also for the atmosphere and the overall social experience. When it comes to social media marketing, she is such a detail-oriented person that she even gets involved in poster design, slogan writing, and video planning. She often gives suggestions on how to make videos more engaging so they can attract more comments and followers online.

Although it’s not a huge company, I still think it’s a very successful business with great development potential.

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
a fast-growing business	C1	Noun phrase	A company that is expanding quickly.	She runs a fast-growing coffee business.
for donkey’s years	C2	Idiom (informal)	For a very long time.	We’ve known each other for donkey’s years.
enterprising	C1	Adjective	Full of initiative and willing to take on new ventures.	Amy has always been enterprising and creative.
establish (one’s) own business	C1	Verb phrase	To set up and start your own company.	She always wanted to establish her own business.
a business strategy	C1	Noun phrase	A long-term plan for how a company will succeed.	The company now has a clear business strategy.
be in charge of (the operation)	B2	Verb phrase	To be responsible for running something.	She’s in charge of the overall operation.
sourcing	C1	Noun	The process of finding and buying supplies or materials.	She’s very careful about the sourcing of the beans.
branding	C1	Noun	The way a company presents its identity to customers.	She cares a lot about the company’s branding.
come up with (an idea)	B2	Phrasal verb	To think of a new idea or plan.	She came up with the idea of pet-friendly cafés.
Instagrammable	C2	Adjective (informal)	Attractive enough to be worth photographing for social media.	The interior design is highly Instagrammable.
detail-oriented	C1	Adjective	Paying careful attention to small details.	She’s so detail-oriented that she checks every poster.
get involved in (something)	B2	Verb phrase	To take an active part in something.	She gets involved in slogan writing and video planning.
engaging	B2	Adjective	Interesting and appealing enough to hold attention.	She makes the videos more engaging to attract followers.
development potential	C1	Noun phrase	The capacity to grow and improve in the future.	It’s a small but successful business with great development potential.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: A person who owns a business

Sample Answer 2

Let me talk about my friend Blair. Blair studied marketing at a well-known university.

After graduation, she started working for a coffee company. It’s a fast-growing business that has become more and more popular among young people in our community. In just a few years, it has already opened several cafe branches. Blair is mainly responsible for the company’s marketing, especially social media marketing. She is really creative and detail-oriented.

She knows how to design posters, write catchy slogans, and how to make videos more engaging so they can attract more comments and followers online. For example, she often posts videos introducing the interior design of different cafes and promotes seasonal drinks and limited-time products. As a result, people know that they can go there not only for coffee, but also for the atmosphere and social experience. She really enjoys the job because it matches her major.

And personally, she is also a big fan of coffee. What’s more, the company offers pretty competitive salary and good employee benefits. So she is quite satisfied with her current job.

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
a well-known university	B2	Noun phrase	A university that many people have heard of and respect.	Blair studied marketing at a well-known university.
after graduation	B2	Prepositional phrase	In the period after finishing a degree.	After graduation, she joined a coffee company.
be responsible for (something)	B2	Verb phrase	To have the duty of managing something.	She’s responsible for the company’s marketing.
social media marketing	C1	Noun phrase	Promoting products or brands through social media platforms.	Her specialty is social media marketing.
detail-oriented	C1	Adjective	Paying careful attention to small details.	She’s creative and very detail-oriented.
catchy slogans	C1	Noun phrase	Memorable phrases that are easy to remember.	She writes catchy slogans for the campaigns.
engaging	B2	Adjective	Interesting and appealing enough to hold attention.	She makes the videos more engaging to draw viewers in.
comments and followers	B2	Noun phrase	Reactions and people who subscribe to an account online.	Her posts attract lots of comments and followers.
limited-time products	C1	Noun phrase	Items sold only for a short, fixed period.	She promotes seasonal drinks and limited-time products.
match (one’s) major	C1	Verb phrase	To fit well with the subject you studied.	She loves the job because it matches her major.
a competitive salary	C1	Noun phrase	Pay that is as good as or better than similar jobs.	The company offers a pretty competitive salary.
employee benefits	C1	Noun phrase	Extra advantages given to staff on top of pay.	There are also good employee benefits.
be satisfied with (something)	B2	Adjective phrase	To be pleased and content with something.	She’s quite satisfied with her current job.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: A person with a marketing job

Sample Answer 3

Well, I still remember one time when my classmates and I were assigned a group project about a successful business case study.

We were supposed to do a lot of research and then give a presentation in class. We chose a fast-growing coffee company that had become more and more popular among young people in our community, and we tried to figure out why it was so successful and what’s the secret behind. I worked with two classmates, so we were a team of three with different responsibilities.

My classmate Amy acted as a leader. She mainly focused on researching the company’s overall operation and development strategy, while I was responsible for analyzing its marketing strategy, especially on social media, for example, how to design posters, write slogans, and create videos that can attract more comments and followers online.

One major problem we encountered was that we couldn’t find enough useful information online. Most of the information we found was quite superficial, so we were not sure whether we could come up with a strong case study. Eventually, one of my teammates suggested that we do some offline research instead, so we visited one of the cafes ourselves and even interviewed a few staff members. It turned out that the coffee shop had really stylish and Instagrammable interior design, so customers were there not only for coffee but also for the atmosphere and social experience.

In addition, the cafe was pet-friendly, which made it especially popular among young people. The offline interviews gave us a lot of valuable information that we couldn’t find online, and in the end, we successfully completed the presentation. Overall, it was a really memorable and rewarding team experience.

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
a case study	C1	Noun phrase	A detailed analysis of one particular example or situation.	Our project was a case study of a successful business.
be supposed to (do something)	B2	Fixed phrase	To be expected or required to do something.	We were supposed to research it and present in class.
the secret behind (something)	C1	Noun phrase	The hidden reason why something succeeds.	We wanted to uncover the secret behind its success.
act as a leader	B2	Verb phrase	To take on the leading, organizing role in a group.	My classmate Amy acted as the leader.
development strategy	C1	Noun phrase	A plan for how a company will grow over time.	She researched the company’s development strategy.
analyze (a) marketing strategy	C1	Verb phrase	To examine in detail how a company promotes itself.	I was in charge of analyzing its marketing strategy.
encounter a problem	C1	Verb phrase	To meet or experience a difficulty.	We encountered a problem finding useful information.
superficial	C1	Adjective	Shallow; not deep or thorough.	Most of what we found online was quite superficial.
offline research	C1	Noun phrase	Research done in the real world rather than on the internet.	A teammate suggested we do some offline research.
it turned out that	C1	Fixed phrase	Used to say how something was eventually discovered to be.	It turned out that the café had stylish interior design.
valuable information	B2	Noun phrase	Information that is very useful or important.	The interviews gave us a lot of valuable information.
rewarding	C1	Adjective	Giving a satisfying sense that your effort was worthwhile.	Overall it was a memorable and rewarding experience.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: A group project (business case study)

Part 3

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
boil down to (something)	C2	Phrasal verb / Idiom	To be reducible to the main, essential point.	It usually boils down to freedom and passion.
a 9-to-5 job	C1	Noun phrase	A regular office job with fixed daytime hours.	A lot of people just hate the standard 9-to-5 job.
be in control of (one’s) time	C1	Verb phrase	To have full power over how you spend your time.	They want to be in control of their own time.
call (one’s) own shots	C2	Idiom	To make your own decisions without answering to anyone.	They want the freedom to call their own shots.
on top of that	C1	Discourse marker	Used to add a further point to what you’ve said.	On top of that, there’s the thrill of building something.
build something of (one’s) own	C1	Verb phrase	To create something that belongs entirely to you.	There’s real excitement in building something of your own.
entrepreneurs	C1	Noun	People who set up businesses, taking on financial risks.	Many entrepreneurs have a specific vision.
a vision	C1	Noun	A clear idea of what you want to achieve in the future.	They have a vision they want to pursue.
bring (an idea) to life	C1	Idiom	To make an idea real and put it into practice.	They want to bring their own ideas to life.
incredibly satisfying	C1	Adjective phrase	Giving a very strong sense of fulfilment.	Seeing it work is incredibly satisfying.
take a risk	B2	Verb phrase	To do something that could fail or lead to loss.	You can see why some people take that risk.
be willing to (do something)	B2	Adjective phrase	To be ready and happy to do something.	They’re willing to take on that uncertainty.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Why people start their own business

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
financial support	B2	Noun phrase	Money given to help someone or something.	Governments should give financial support to start-ups.
start-ups	C1	Noun	New, usually small, businesses in their early stages.	Start-ups face great risks in their first years.
face great risks	B2	Verb phrase	To be exposed to serious dangers or uncertainties.	New companies usually face great risks.
lack (enough) funds	C1	Verb phrase	To not have enough money to operate.	They often lack enough funds at the early stage.
the early stage	B2	Noun phrase	The beginning phase of a process or business.	Funding is scarce at the early stage.
survive	B2	Verb	To continue to exist or stay in business.	Support can help these companies survive.
create jobs	B2	Verb phrase	To provide new employment opportunities.	Successful start-ups create more jobs.
stimulate innovation	C2	Verb phrase	To encourage the creation of new ideas and methods.	They help stimulate innovation in the market.
economic vitality	C2	Noun phrase	The strength and energy of an economy.	This boosts overall economic vitality.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Government support for start-ups

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
it depends on (something)	B2	Fixed phrase	Used to say the answer varies with a particular factor.	It really depends on what people need to buy.
daily items	B2	Noun phrase	Everyday things people buy regularly.	For small daily items, they pick a local shop.
convenience	B2	Noun	The quality of being easy and quick to use.	People choose small stores for convenience.
proximity	C1	Noun	Closeness in distance.	They value the proximity of a nearby shop.
richer choices	C1	Noun phrase	A wider, more varied range to choose from.	Big stores offer far richer choices.
reliable quality	C1	Noun phrase	A standard you can consistently depend on.	They trust the reliable quality of larger shops.
after-sales service	C1	Noun phrase	Support and help given to customers after they buy.	Big stores usually have better after-sales service.
expensive goods	B2	Noun phrase	Costly products, often high-value items.	For expensive goods, people head to big stores.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Big stores vs small stores

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
key factors	B2	Noun phrase	The most important elements that influence a result.	Several key factors make a business successful.
contribute to (something)	C1	Verb phrase	To help cause or bring about a result.	Many things contribute to a company’s success.
lay a solid foundation	C1	Verb phrase	To create a strong basis for future success.	Quality products lay a solid foundation.
win customer trust	C1	Verb phrase	To earn the confidence of the people who buy from you.	Good service helps a company win customer trust.
public praise	C1	Noun phrase	Widespread approval and good reputation among people.	Public praise brings in a steady stream of customers.
steady customers	B2	Noun phrase	Regular, loyal buyers who keep returning.	Trust turns first-time buyers into steady customers.
proper management	C1	Noun phrase	Running an organization in a well-organized, effective way.	Proper management keeps everything running smoothly.
continuous innovation	C2	Noun phrase	Constantly creating new ideas, products, or methods.	Continuous innovation keeps a business competitive.
play an essential role	C1	Verb phrase	To be a necessary and important part of something.	Clear planning plays an essential role too.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: What makes a business successful?

Word / Phrase	CEFR	Type	Definition	Example Sentence
fail for many reasons	B2	Verb phrase	To collapse or not succeed due to several causes.	A business can fail for many reasons.
lack competitiveness	C1	Verb phrase	To be unable to compete effectively with rivals.	Its products may simply lack competitiveness.
meet market demands	C1	Verb phrase	To satisfy what customers in the market want.	If you fail to meet market demands, sales drop.
poor management	B2	Noun phrase	Running an organization badly or ineffectively.	Poor management can quickly cause problems.
overspending	C1	Noun	Spending more money than you can afford.	Overspending puts a business under financial strain.
financial problems	B2	Noun phrase	Difficulties caused by a lack of money.	These mistakes lead to serious financial problems.
ignore market trends	C1	Verb phrase	To fail to pay attention to how the market is changing.	Companies that ignore market trends fall behind.
customer needs	B2	Noun phrase	What buyers want or require.	Ignoring customer needs slowly drives people away.
lose (its) advantage	C1	Verb phrase	To no longer have the edge that made it successful.	Over time, the business loses its advantage.

ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: What makes a business fail?

Some IELTS Speaking part 2 cue-cards you may like :

• (Update 2026) Describe A Person Who Likes To Read A Lot
• (Update 2026) Describe A Prize You Have Received Recently (E.g. Money, Something Valuable, A Medal)
• (Update 2026) Describe A Person You Know Who Has Chosen A Career In The Medical Field (E.g. A Doctor, A Nurse)
• (Update 2026) Describe a Time When You Worked In a Group