Why I Do What I Do

Jill Wilson, a local attorney for Brooks Pierce and Gail LeBauer, a psychiatric nurse, spoke to SOAR this morning about their professions. Jill, who always liked to read, became a lawyer because lawyers solve problems using written materials. Gail, always curious about the workings of the mind, went to nursing school, became a psychiatric nurse and practices as a therapist.

Jill explained constitutional rights, fundamental rights and how these play out at schools. "Lawyers," Jill said, "balance interests when they collide." She shared her favorite line from the Tinker case, "Students don't leave their constitutional rights at the school house gate," in the process of explaining how Supreme Court decisions rely on precedents set by previous cases. Students discussed a specific case regarding freedom of speech in the school environment.

Gail explained concepts of behavior modification and motivation, from smiley faces in early grades to "great job" in middle school. She told students that they need to know professional standards of appropriate behavior in whatever professions they choose, talked about "time outs for grownups" and oppositional behavior. The session concluded with Gail leading a short Channukah-themed meditation.

The Learning Curve: Everything Takes Longer Than You Might Think!

Dan Bensimhon, a local cardiologist, spoke to SOAR on December 11. Halfway through his undergraduate work at Duke, he switched from Pre-Med to Journalism as a major. He wrote about men's cycling and running, working for Men's Health and Rolling Stone magazines. Eventually, he went to medical school, moonlighting to cover night shifts for other doctors. This evolved into a business, as he began managing all of the "moonlighters" and setting them up with doctors to cover their shifts.

Dan told the eighth graders about needing a business plan, a loan and some help to start his business. He called a lawyer to get some pointers and quickly learned that everything takes longer than one might think - and more money! He explained about loans, venture capitalists (who own part of your business) and taking control of your own company. Dan advised students to retain as much of the company equity as possible, so that you have more to give away at a later stage.

He told the eighth grade to always ask questions, to take advice from those who know more than you do and to make sure that any partner can do his or her job before giving him or her a portion of your business. Dan also explained the need to anticipate by hiring ahead of growth - to be proactive in growing your business.

Dan noted that while people start businesses to make money, he feels good about helping other cardiologists and making a difference by giving back to the community.

Marketing is Pervasive

Pam Goldberg and Kevin Daniels visited SOAR class this morning. After defining PR as "spreading good news or managing disaster," Pam taught students the SWOT analysis used in marketing (examine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Kevin emphasized the importance of good decision making in the newsroom. He told the eighth graders that "knowledge is power;" the more they know, the better equipped they will be to make smart choices. Kevin and Pam also talked about changes in the world of marketing, including the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Hulu and internet sites.

Students Speak

In today's SOAR session, students worked in small groups to synthesize some of the information presented by guest faculty. Steve Friedland and Micah Goldstein facilitated these sessions. Students spoke first about what they have learned from the sessions:

1. It's difficult to get a patent (from Eric Kraus).

2. If one loses a trained employee, the business loses a lot of money (from Mark Hyman).

3. You can start from nothing, do what you enjoy, and create a business (from Jillian Reich).

4. One can use his business to help others (Gary Lindenberg).

5. Build a relationship with your employees (Mark Hyman, Arthur Samet)

6. Business needs to change with the environment. Adapt to what your customers want and need (Joe Nehman, Tom Sloan).

Steve and Micah asked students to name the top three lessons that they would post on the walls of their new offices.

J and K Inc. posted: Customer Service - Good Quality - Latest Technology.

ME Enterprises: Passion - Experience - Good Education - Good Employees.

JRM Inc: Enjoy your work - Be your own boss - Help others.

D and E: Accomplish - Believe - Control.

JS Inc: Open Mind - Build relationships with clients - Don't break the law.

The discussion moved into the realm of ethics as students debated whether or not Nike and Gatorade should retain Tiger Woods to promote products. They wrestled with whether or not it was important that he represent the values of their companies. To be continued!

Why Entrepreneurship?

Local entrepreneur and venture capitalist Tom Sloan visited SOAR on December 1. He told the story of his father fleeing Germany in the 1930's, just a few months prior to Kristalnacht. Tom's first message to the class was, "No one can take away your education." He told the story of growing a small optics business into a nationally known company. He sold the business, bought it back and sold it again, eventually taking the proceeds and investing in other businesses. Students learned that in order to start a business, one needs money, education, employees and most importatnly - an idea or a concept of a product.

Echoing the words of other guest faculty, Tom emphasized that in business, one needs to find something the world does not have, but needs. He explained that a business needs customers before it needs employees and that to be successsful, an entrepreneur must be passionate about his or her work.

Tom mentioned the role of boards in for-profit and non-profit businesses, explaining how they help with strategic thinking and governance. He then described several of the ventures he is currently launching as an investor.

Tom's advice to the class:

1. You can't have too much education.

2. Learn some skills.

3. Work hard. Running your own business is difficult.

4. Have the wind at your back. Pick a business where trends are in your favor.

No Risk - No Reward

Frank Brenner and Arthur Samet were last week's guest lecturers in SOAR. Frank spoke about going into a business that others might shun. He told the students about taking what people might otherwise throw away after recycling and reselling - keeping items out of the landfill (environmentally sound) and generating revenue.

After recounting a bit of the history of his business, Frank shared his personal thoughts about entrepreneurship.

1. Take a risk; without risks there are no rewards. Assess your risk aversion.

2. Maximize your return on investments; stay in control of your own destiny.

3. Surround yourself with good people.

4. Don't be concerned about glamour. Be open to doing something no one else wants to do.

5. Be prepared to reinvest your profits. Think long-term!

6. Hope luck is on your side. Learn from others.

7. Develop relationships with your customers. Trust them.

Arthur Samet spoke about the history of Jewish-owned companies in the southeast - how immigrants came without a lot of capital and started their own businesses. Arthur's family started in construction. He told the students that business owners "need to prove themselves every day" and "must always improve; hit a triple every day." He emphasized that success is not about dollars; that a successful entrepreneur is passionate and excited about his business and takes pride in seeing others succeed. His advice to students:

1. Listen more than you speak. Get yourself a good advisor or mentor.

2. Be willing to adapt to make it work. Reinvent yourself if necessary.

3. If you take care of your customers and employees, the rest will fall into place.

4. Get as much experience as you can through education and on-the-job training through volunteering.

5. Always be ready to figure out the next thing; what's current won't be current for long.

6. Identify your risks and manage them well. Get smart people on your team and communicate.

7. Minimize your risk to reduce the impact if a project does not work.

8. Prepare for a crisis during good times.

A Vocation or Avocation?

Recent guest teachers at SOAR included Brad Semon of Painted Plate and Judith Altman of Judith Altman Designs. They spoke about their journeys to their current professions - journeys that took some unexpected twists and turns. Brad, a journalism major in college but always interested in cooking, eventually parlayed his passion into his profession. He told students he wanted to run his own business and control his own destiny. By owning your own business, he said, you "know what is going to happen," even in the current economy.

Judith, on the other hand, studied art in college, but her path diverged from her passion when she decided to acquire an MBA. She entered the corporate world and developed expertise in information technology and logistics, rising through the ranks of several corporations before eventually becoming the Senior VP of Global Operations for Burlington Industries. When Burlington closed, she returned to her passion for art and began her own artisan jewelry business - enabling her to be both an artist and an entrepreneur.

Students pondered Judith's introduction to marketing terms such as "product," "pricing," "placement" and "promotion" as they continue their own entrepreneurial at projects. This week, the class decided that their cheesecakes would sell more quickly with agressive advertising. Since they had already utilized the traditional routes of email, newsletters and posters, they fanned out into carpool lines, offering tastes to parents waiting for dismissal to begin.

In addition to refining their business acumen, students learned a few truths from Brad and Judith. Brad said, "The most important part of my life is my family," and Judith echoed this sentiment when she mentioned, "I managed 500 people at my old job, but I wasn't sure I was really doing anything productive." Both spoke of the satisfaction of a job well done - a superb meal served or a beautiful piece of jewelry bringing pleasure to its new owner.

More on SOAR (8th grade entrepreneurship/leadership)

Eighth grade "SOAR" continues to expand our students' horizons. Joe Nehman of Tanger Industries spoke about the process of developing and building a new mall, focusing on how to make changes in the process to save energy. Dr. Sig Tannenbaum introduced our budding entrepreneurs to banking. Sue Simmons of the Center for Creative Leadership taught about different types of leadership and led the class in reflection about their growth in this area.

Yesterday, Dennis Quaintance introduced the class to terms such as "capitalism," "sustainability," "third party verification" and "tax credits." He cautioned students about buying items advertised as "green," and advised them to first "learn the vocabulary." He mentioned Gary Lindenberg and Marquis in his presentation about building the Proximity Hotel; students eagerly told him afterwards that they are in the process of designing, producing and marketing an ottoman that Gary will produce at Marquis (with profits going to the 8th grade Israel trip).

The entrepreneurship part of the course continues through the early winter. It will be followed by ten sessions on leadership, taught by adjunct faculty from the Center for Creative Leadership.

Entrepreneurs/Edible SchoolYard/Grandparents

Today began with a terrific presentation by Joe Nehman of Tanger Outlets. He spoke to our 8th graders about his business, challenging them to think of ways to make it "greener." Joe is the fourth guest speaker for SOAR. Earlier in the week, students hosted Gary Lindenberg of Marquis, who described his passion for chairs. He challenged students to design a chair to sell for profits going towards the 8th grade Israel trip. Jillian Reich visited as well, describing the transition of her cottage tie-dye business into Dye-Nation.

The Greensboro Children's Museum broke ground yesterday for its "Edible SchoolYard." Sandra Carroll and I attended to represent B'nai Shalom. We are very excited that our own garden will be a satellite of the GCM project and were delighted to meet Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. This morning, Sandra and Dawn accompanied first and sixth/seventh graders to work in the garden. They scavenger-hunted some vegetable and then harvested them, with permission to taste and eat! The older students were partnered with the first graders. What a pleasure it was to watch our middle schoolers mentor the younger kids, leading them by the hand and encouraging them to write their own answers on clipboards.

I left the group happily trying basil, okra, rosemary and peppers and flew down Friendly back to BSDS for our Grandparents' Lunch. We were thrilled with the overwhelming response: 54 grandparents attended! Entertained by PreK, K, 3rd and 4th singing about apples and honey, grandparents enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Painted Plate. Tours were led by able 7th graders and several teachers. Short presentations by David Altman (President, BOT), Steve Friedland (parent and board member), Carole Krusch (Chair, Grandparents' Club) and Kevin Daniels (Chair, Annual Fund) completed the program.

Introducing... SOAR Innovation, Education and Entrepreneurship Institute

Last Friday, we launched SOAR: Innovation, Education and Entrepreneurship Institute in the eighth grade. SOAR stands for Stretch your mind/Operate through collaboration/Adapt to change with agility/Reduce your footprint.

During each session, guest teachers share their expertise with our students. BSDS parents Micah Goldstein and Steve Friedland co-facilitate the program. A keynote address by Dr. Eric Kraus set the stage for the year-long course. Eric spoke about purposeful work, making a difference, networking, education, imagination and innovation. Students learned how to turn an idea into a product, while discovering the purpose of service marks, trademarks and patents. Dr. Kraus walked the class through the entire invention process, from "conception of idea" to finished product, and allowed students to examine his patented Kraus K-Helix middle ear prostheses. By asking provocative questions, such as "Is Google making us stupid?" and "Can you really save time - or can you just spend it?" Eric urged the students to invest in themselves by continuing to dream, think creatively and maintain a passion for learning.

Today's session featured Gary Lindenberg and Jillian Reich. Jillian discussed start-ups and business plans, using Dye-Nation as her example. (She also gave all of the students "seconds," and while they were enjoying their new shirts, explained why she cannot sell imperfect items.) Terms such as loans, overhead, utilities and trade shows piqued student interest.

Gary introduced the class to the world of furniture production, focusing on experience, knowledge and passion - as well as having a good business plan. He presented the students with a proposal - create a chair (with his assistance) by committee, market it and judge its success by sales. As the students contemplated his assignment, I explained that this was a true proposal - Gary agreed to put the 8th grade chair into production and sell it - with profits going to the 8th grade Israel trip! Now - the ideas are flying - and students want to imprint "B'nai Shalom" on their chair, but are weighing whether or not that will make it sell better (alumni) or less successfully (general consumer). The entrepreneurs are off and running!