Reflections

As this semester quickly draws to a close, I'm reflecting on how my ideas about my future business have changed.  I didn't really think of my plans as entrepreneurial.  I plan to work for myself, freelance, from home.  That didn't seem quite grand enough to take on the title of entrepreneur.  But I felt prompted to take this cluster of classes on entrepreneurship, and now I can see that's exactly what I plan to do.  Maybe I will decide to just freelance as a graphic designer, and that in itself is an entrepreneurial effort, but I've been inspired by this class to think a little bigger than that.  I have a friend who just started a business as a freelance writer focused on marketing.  She asked me to design her logo and business cards, and we worked really well together.  We both realized that our skills are complementary, and we've had some discussions about collaborating.  She has a vision for a full fledged marketing firm, and that might become my vision one day, too.  I'm excited about the possibilities.  My daughter is also interested in working with me, and that would make me really happy to be able to be successful enough that I could take her on as an associate.  I really appreciate all that I've learned in this class, and look forward to continuing my business education next semester. 

Microlending

I was most impressed this week by the article "Micro-Lending: Toward a Poverty Free World" by Muhammed Yunus.  I was impressed, first of all, but his honesty and humility in realizing that the "elegant theories" he taught students were at odds with the realities of the world around them.  I'm even more impressed that he went out into that world with a desire to learn the realities, and then followed through with something concrete he could do to improve the lives of those around him.  When he said that the forty-two people he talked to needed loans totaling $27, not much more than fifty cents each, I thought of the dollar bill that's been on my closet floor for a month.  I see it every time I put my clothes away, but I haven't bothered to pick it up because it's not that critical.  I'll get to it when I get to it.  To think that that one dollar bill could be a critical difference in changing two lives.  It's hard to imagine, I'd love to hear more specific stories about how these micro-loans are used, how they actually work in people's lives.  I'm also very impressed with Yunus' idea that greed is not the only motivating factor, but we've built all of our economic systems on the assumption that it is.  That's a paradigm shifting statement, and one I will think about for a long time.

In "What's a Business For?" Charles Handy says that integrity and virtue are vital to an economy because when "the game becomes so unreliable, no one will want to play."  If people don't trust the business world, they'll keep their money to themselves, and the whole thing collapses.  He says the real purpose of a business is not just to make a profit, but to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better.  I agree with his assertion that businesses need to take the lead in issues of environmental and social sustainability.  That only makes sense if you want your business to be profitable over the long haul.  I also agree with his assertion that a business should measure success in terms of outcome for others as well as itself.  At the very least, they should care about the outcome for their customers, which again, just makes sense in terms of sustainability over time.

Work Life Balance

I really enjoyed thinking about the questions posed in the mini case studies this week.  It was a good reminder to keep family the priority, and to stay realistic in your promises and expectations.  I think keeping the family a priority doesn't always mean sacrificing every career goal, but rather just to keep the lines of communication open. Pay attention when family members seem unhappy, and look for ways to show them they're loved.  This week I realized that my youngest was feeling neglected with me being so busy with schoolwork, so I made a special effort to take time to do things with him.  It might mean getting a B instead of an A, but I guess I'd rather have a B on an assignment than a failing grade as a mom.

The article about attitudes on money was interesting.  I think I've always had kind of a distrustful attitude about money, viewing the acquisition of it as shallow and greedy.  This class has helped me to see good examples of people who use their money for good.  I still think it's risky, I think that money tends to lure people more to the selfish side than the selfless side, but if you're firmly grounded in the gospel and listen to the promptings of the spirit, and surround yourself with good examples, it's a wonderful thing to acquire money, take good care of your family, and bless the world around you.  I also need to be honest, in that I like things that cost money, like good quality food, and hand made clothing.  I like the idea of being able to patronize people who make things by hand, and those things are always more expensive than mass produced junk.  If I had more money, I would enjoy the freedom to spend it on businesses who operate in alignment with my values, instead of always just looking for the lowest price.  

Entrepreneur Interview

I really enjoyed interviewing an entrepreneur this week.  The first person I set something up with didn't work out, so I had to be creative and persistent to get my interview.  I thoroughly enjoyed my talk with Carolyn Allen of My Miracle Tea.  She brims over with enthusiasm and confidence.  I'm touched at the generosity with which she shared her time.  As a student, mother, and homeschool teacher, my plate is full to bursting, so I'm acutely aware that time is our most valuable commodity.  I didn't take it lightly to ask someone to spend some time talking to me.  Carolyn got me all fired up, I can't wait until I'm in her position, and I'm the one that gets to encourage someone else starting out.  For now, I really am getting into the mindset of myself as a professional, which was Carolyn's biggest recommendation.  A friend asked me to design a logo for her new freelance writing business.  I impressed her and myself even with how organized and professional I was about the whole project.  I worked really hard, and we're both happy with the results.  I learned a lot, it built my confidence, and I have something to add to my portfolio.

Small "l" Leadership

I appreciated the opportunity this week to re-read President Clark's talk on small "l" leadership.  We read it during Pathway and it has stuck with me, often coming to mind.  Once you hear this concept, you start to examples all around you of big "L" vs small "l" leadership.  I have been blessed in my life to know many small "l" leaders, most of them in the church.  I know that I tend toward pride, it's one of my weaknesses, and I have made a concerted effort over my lifetime to follow our Saviour's example of humility.  At age forty, I can finally see that some of those efforts are becoming more second-nature.  I feel more of a willingness to submit myself to the will of the Lord, to the direction of others.  When I find myself in positions of leadership I feel more keenly the responsibility than the power.  I have learned that leading with love is the only way to get people to follow.  I still have a lot of work to do in this area, and I appreciate the examples I've seen and read about in the content of this class.  It has inspired me to hold myself to even higher standards of honesty, integrity, and to approach each task with determination to do my best.