Collaboration with Ariel Hunt

As part of our Social Media Communication course I was required to collaborate with at least two other classmates whose project would mesh nicely with mines. My first collaboration was with classmate Ariel Hunt, whose project involved DIY (Do It Yourself). Ariel and I were able to work together to successfully create a few items for my desktop work-space and it was fun learning to create beautiful pieces that I could actually use to help organize my working area. Ariel was excellent at using items most people would throw out as garbage and produce work of art. I needed to organize the clutter on my desk, and Ariel came to my rescue. She used discarded boxes from supermarkets to craft a book-stand and supply holder for me as well as toilet paper rolls to and cardboard to craft a stationery holder for me. I was amazed at how beautiful it looked when completed, but most of all how functional it was in my work-space. No more clutter – YAY! Thank you Ariel! To view more of Ariel's work, visit her page at http://arielhuntdiy.blogspot.com/?m=1

Here are a few photos of Ariel's creations that I am now using on my desk.

My favourite mentor

Growing up I always knew I could go to my mother with any issue that bothered me. She was always willing to listen to me and even when we would sit and just talk, she would always tell me there were so much good things in store for me. She shielded me from danger, however I am thankful that unlike most parents growing up children in the 1980’s she did not shield me from certain topics that were considered taboo at that time. My mother was a great mentor and even though she never went to school and did not know how to write nor read, she encouraged me to do so, to the point of staying up every night with me under the lamplight as I completed my home-work. She would buy a book for me every week and beautiful stationery to write letters to my aunt in Texas, and thus began my love for books and stationery.

Every once in a while I think about her and smile. She died with cancer the year I was scheduled to write my CXC examinations. She had been suffering for three years prior. This post is dedicated to my mother,, my mentor, who taught me to love books. It is my hope that the readers of this blog post have wonderful mentors as I did my mom. Realize your dreams and make your mentors proud as I have made my mom proud.

Teamwork

Teamwork involves groups of people working together for a common good and there would be times when you would need to work along with others. It is very difficult working with some people and there can be a lot of friction, however if the members of the team keep in mind that they are working for a common good , they can make progress. With advances in technology and the world becoming a global village, it is important to learn how to work along with others. In order to work successfully with teams, keep in mind the following pointers:

1. Every team member opinion matters.

2. Team members have feelings whether they show their emotions or not. Try not to wilfully offend anyone.

3. Do not judge team members.

4. Leave lines of communication open with team members.

5. Do not be selfish. Share your ideas.

6. Do not be offended if your ideas are not chosen. Remember teamwork involves a democracy and what the majority chooses is what the team will go with.

7. Be an active part of the team. Do not just sit on the side-lines listening to what is said.

8. Get to know your team mates. You might be surprised. You may become good friends with the one you thought was unapproachable.

9. Ensure that you do what you are required to do while working in the team. No one likes it when others sponge off them and do not contribute to the success of the team.

Three Reasons for Business Washout and How to Avoid It

There are a number of reasons why some entrepreneurs suffer washout early in their business and having knowledge of those reasons can help budding entrepreneurs avoid the pitfalls. Therefore, instead of having a flopping business you can instead have a thriving business. I am giving three (3) reasons why business flops and what can be done to avoid it. I hope this post is helpful to those reading it.

1. Failure to account for your monies – Do not borrow more money than you need and always keep track of how you spend your business funds. Remember, it is always easier to borrow than to pay back, and keeping proper financial records will help you to track your spending and profits made. If you do not have knowledge of bookkeeping or accounting, for a small fee you can hire a recent secondary school accounting graduate student to help you.

2. Poor Organization and Running of your business – It is always good to try and educate yourself as an entrepreneur in how to successfully run a business. In Trinidad and Tobago there are many evening classes offered for adults in areas such as accounting, principles of business and office administration at no cost. There are also short courses offered at a few educational institutions for a minimal cost.

3. Not having enough capital – some entrepreneurs fail to realise that in operating a business they would have overhead expenses that will have to be paid every month. For example, light bill, telephone bills, rent etc. In not properly planning for this, they can quickly use up their finances and expect to get money from sales to cover these expenses. In the event that sales are slow, they then suffer.

Three Male Celebrity Entrepreneurs

This short blog post highlights three young male celebrity entrepreneurs and their accomplishments. Be inspired!

1. Jay-Z

Most youths know him as a successful rap artist but did you know he owned several successful businesses? One such business is his “Roc Nation” business which sells tickets to many large music events.

2. Ashton Kutcher

This actor not only makes money acting but he has proven that his business sense can be rewarding as well. He is the proud owner “Capital Firm A-Grade Investments”, a company dedicated to providing funds for start-up Tech companies.

3. Justin Timberlake

This singer has invested some of his money in entities such as MySpace and the NBAs Memphis Grizzlies, the latter of which has been successful.

Read more of their stories at the link below:

http://myfirstclasslife.com/12-richest-celebrity-entrepreneurs/?singlepage=1

A Thank You Letter

This blog is in the form of a thank you letter to four of my good friends that are themselves young entrepreneurs. I have had the privilege of working with three of them at a large financial institution a few years ago and know that their business ethics are top notch and the other whom I met six years ago also proved to be one of the most ethical business personnel I am honoured to have met. I have stayed in close contact with all three of them and the invaluable advice they have given me throughout the years is very much appreciated. I will refer to them in my letter by their first names, Sandra, Anya, Sterling and Gilbert.

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank you first of all for being my friend. I know I can be a handful at times, yet you three seem to know just how to relate to me in such a way as to get me to relax and think before I act. In my journey to become an entrepreneur, each one of you in your own unique way have helped me to realise my dream with encouragement, valuable advice, examples from your years of experience dealing with clients and your perseverance in insisting I can make it.

Sandra as I worked with you, assisting you in planning events for the bank, you never treated me as an assistant, but rather you treated me as a friend. I am so very thankful for the many occasions you took time out to explain proper protocols to me as well as explaining why certain things were done the way they were. Thank you for always including me in whatever decisions that had to be made before you gave your final answer to our line manager and most of all thank you for staying in touch with me through the years while encouraging me to be the best I can be.

Anya, my darling Anya! Your creative ability and sunny disposition was always welcomed at the start of my work day. I was and still am in awe of the creative skill which you possess. I remember the first time you came to me and said you were going to open your own graphic arts business and I rooted for you because I knew you could do it. Thank you for always asking my advice concerning your creations when you worked on large projects. You did not have to include me in the process, but you did and for that I was most appreciative. Thank you for continuing to support me and be an example to me.

Sterling I want to especially thank you for inviting me to assist you from time to time in your business. Even though it is not the same time of business I am involved in, it was good to get the exposure of meeting some of your clients as well as your workers. The foods you prepare for your clients and the bar service you offer to them is an excellent example in how service should be rendered. Thank you for your many insights and for being my friend.

Gilbert, I so appreciate you and the many times you have encouraged me to be the best I can possibly be. Your expert advice in terms of information technology issues I have come to you with on numerous occasions were much appreciated. As I have said to you on a few occasions, “what would I do without you?” Thank you so very much my friend for being a part of my life and sharing your expertise with me.

Each one of you my friends are so very valuable to me, not for the advice you have given me, nor the helping hands you may have lent. You are all valuable to me because I love you all and appreciate each one of you for your own unique ability to make me a better person for having known you. Thank you.

Love Jeniffer.

Keeping the Dream Alive

This blog post will highlight five ways in which I have kept the dream alive of owning and operating my own business. It is my hope that they help you too in your journey as an entrepreneur.

1. I am constantly upgrading myself. I read a lot of entrepreneurial materials on the internet and even subscribe to some business magazines. Additionally I still attend University after having completed a first degree to ensure I have an edge in terms of education.

2. I attend small business seminars to see which direction the industry is moving. These seminars are also good for networking and meeting new people whom I can share ideas with.

3. I keep in touch with other entrepreneur friends and we share information on how our businesses are progressing. It does not matter whether your friends are in other types of business, because the moral support goes a long way. For example I have a friend that owns a food catering company while another owns an event management business and when we meet to talk, I learn a lot from them.

4. In upgrading myself, I wanted to be as business-like as possible and decided to have business call cards printed to hand out to my clients. These are inexpensive and is handy to give out to people you may meet while travelling that may become potential clients for your business.

5. In order to keep the dream alive, it is important to give back to the community and ensure my business succeeds so I can pass it along to my children. Giving out stationeries to school children in preschools and primary schools just before the new school year begins is a good way of maintaining community relationships. I one day hope to train groups of community secondary school students in how to start up their own business.