An Interview

Due to illness, I was unable to get out and find someone in my field to interview, instead, I thought back to an interview I conducted last year for a college class. 

The assignment was to interview someone from 'a different culture,' that being defined as someone who has lived in one different country for 3/4ths of their life or someone over the age of 75. I went with the latter option. I had the privilege of interviewing a Mrs. Lois Reed, a member of my grandmother's church who I had met in passing at a church function.

Most of the questions I asked her had to do with how things were when she was growing up. 'What was integration like,' etc. While not directly related to my mentorship, her interview helped me understand the values of a specific demographic of potential customers. 

For instance, she said family was valued more when she was younger than it is now. In that same line, she noted that people used to have dinner parties where all their friends and family would come over and have a good time. She still holds parties quite frequently, not very elaborate, but the camaraderie is still the same. 

She also said one of the biggest things she noticed was language these days is so much coarser than when she was growing up. (Something I also abhor.)She said while she was working, she had a 'Bad Word Jar' in her office. Anyone that said a bad word in her office had to pay her. She said there was even one person that would give her $3 at the beginning of meetings because who knew they would swear and knew they would have to pay. 

Fashion was a very obvious difference. She said when she entered the workforce, women weren't allowed to wear slacks. She said she wore dresses and heels for a great deal of her working career. She also mentioned she had a hard time understanding the fashion trends of today. (Me too, Lois, me too.)

All of these things, along with a myriad of other things we talked about, help me understand how I can better serve the demographic similar to Mrs. Reed. From these things I know that when serving customers like Mrs. Reed, I should keep in mind they like to entertain, I should not swear, (like I would in the first place) and should keep my dress modest (like I wouldn't do that anyway). 

Interviewing Mrs. Reed was such a privilege and so enjoyable. I learned so much from her and will always have fond memories of our time together. If you ever have the opportunity to interview someone of an older generation, do it. You won't regret it.

E is for Empathy

This week's lesson is on empathy. 

Before I took the empathy quiz, I thought I was empathetic. Once I took the empathy test, I found that I am averagely empathetic. I don't think I was horribly surprised by this. Many of the statements I felt like I would need a concrete scenario to give an accurate response. Of course, that response would change depending on the scenario. 

I don't think someone can be taught empathy in the normal educational sense.

All of this make me think of the TV show 'Bones.'

I know we're not supposed to name names but it just works so well.

At the birth of the show, Forensic Anthropologist, Dr. Temperance Brennan comes off as extremely cold and extremely unempathetic. Her partner, FBI Agent, Seeley Booth, on the other hand, is very empathetic, much to Dr. Brennan's dislike. 

As the show continues through 8 seasons, Agent Booth begins to rub off on Dr. Brennan, to the point that they get married and have a baby. Of course, this doesn't happen through the course of a couple of episodes. Agent Booth gives Dr. Brennan little lessons in empathy every couple of episodes. 

For example, Dr. Brennan was testifying in a murder trail. She was warned not to use medical or anthropological terms when testifying because the jury won't be able to understand. She does, nonetheless. Agent Booth tells the Prosecutor to ask Dr. Brennan about a sensitive topic in her life so that when she answers, she will be more relatable to the jury. After it's all said and done, she was upset at Agent Booth for opening an old wound but understood why he did it, our first hint that she does have empathy.

Through a series of similar lessons, Dr. Brennan develops quite a bit on empathy for others. 

All of this goes to say, you can't 'teach' someone empathy, but through different experiences, one can develop a greater sense of empathy. That is, unless you are a psychopath in the true sense of the word.

My One-Word Resolution, Whom I Envy, and What I Lie About

(Kind of a doozie of a title wasn't it?)

My 'One-Word Resolution' for this year would have to be 'Grow.'

I chose this word for many reasons. One of them having to do with my relationship with God. This past year, I started my relationship with God and I have seen Him do such incredible things. I want to 'Grow' this relationship with him so that I can better serve him and spread the Good News. 

Another reason I chose this word is physical. I have a condition where I simply pass out. I like to call it Tall Teenage Girl Syndrome. We have multiple specialists, none really knowing what to say. The most recent one we went to, an expert in Tall Teenage Girl Syndrome said there is nothing we can do except wait it out. Most people 'Grow' out of it by their early 20's, as good a reason as any to want to 'Grow', in my case.

The last reason I chose this word is very emotional, literally. Last year, I went through some big changes in my life. Many that I am still dealing with and many that I am still enjoying today. I'm going to college and doing things that have me encountering situations I've never dealt with before. Some have turned out well, others not as well as I hoped for. It all makes for one heck of a roller-coaster. And let me tell you, I DO NOT like roller-coasters. I want to 'Grow' to be able to take all the ups and downs in stride and be able to enjoy the incredible life God has given me. 

'Whom I Envy'

An interesting topic for sure, 'Whom I Envy' are those whom are secure in their relationship with God. Those whom can trust Him to take care of anything and everything and those whom are secure enough in Him to never doubt and get frustrated with what's going 'wrong' in their life. As part of my 'One-Word Resolution' I want to grow my relationship with God so that I may become one of those 'Whom I Envy.'

'What I Lie About'

Yet another interesting topic, 'What I Lie About' is how I really am. You see someone in the hallway, you both wave and say, 'Hey, how ya doin'? Good, you? Good.' One of the things that come with Tall Teenage Girl Syndrome is being frequently lightheaded, nauseous, and all around not feeling good but, what do I say when I see someone in the hallway? 'I'm fine.' Everyday, I try to work through those sick feelings for the sake of my school attendance. (Don't get me started about attendance policies.) As a part of my 'One-Word Resolution' I want to 'Grow' so that the next time I see someone in the hallway, I won't be lying when I say, 'I'm fine.'

I hope you've had a Happy New Year so far and all your resolutions are on track.

Until next time.

A Little More 'Final' Final Project

Once again, we look toward the future. In the the not so distant future, we see the Honors Mentorship Final project. 

For my Final project, I want to make my business (more) profitable.

My thesis for this would be: What kind of business plan do I need to make my business (more) profitable.

I envision using Excel to chart expenses and possible profits. I also envision using Publisher and maybe Animoto to create promotional advertisements.

For my real inquiry, I will research successful business plans, adapt them to my business, and possibly apply them. (Not sure how long it will be before significant results can be seen.)

The success of my business has become an increasingly strong desire in my life. Common beliefs has everything stacked against me but, I know that with enough hard work and the support of the One and Only God, I know I can do it.

A Lesson Everyone Should Learn

If you know me, you might know that I love to save money. Times are tough. I don't really care who you are, everyone has been affected by the recession in some way, shape or form. With college coming up, so are a lot of expenses, some vital, some necessary, some that seem like one of the other two, the list goes on. One of the best ways to save money in college is going to be in your ID slot.

Your college ID can save you loads of money. No joke!

For example, I was in the Plato's Closet on Dawsonville Highway and saw where they give a 10% discount to Brenau, Gainesville State, and North Georgia students. I know it doesn't seem like a lot at the time but every little bit counts. Even more so if shop there a lot.

If you're the crafty type, JoAnn's has a 10% off discount card for college students. It's good on every purchase you make and doesn't expire for a year (or something like that).

I was a local thrift store and asked if they had discounts for college students. The cashier said they didn't but gave me one anyway!

Moral of the Story: It never hurts to ask. The worst they can do is say no. 

I'm eager to try this at Starbuck's and I know there are lists out there of restaurants that also give discounts.

This lesson also goes the High School students as well. JoAnn's summer program I mentioned earlier was specifically for High School students.

A Change of Plans

Everyday, I start leaning more and more towards pursuing my business for my Mentorship as opposed to Accounting. 

With this in mind, I searched for an article about the future of Small Businesses. I searched through Galileo and found one I could really sink my teeth in to.

The article I found is titled, 'But Where Did the Money Go?' and it's written by David Port.

In this article, Port interviews Karen Mills, the head of the Small Business Administration about what the SBA is really doing and if it is really helping small businesses.

The main goal of the SBA is to aid small businesses, mostly financially. They have counselors and advisers to help small businesses develop the business plans so that they can present better to banks and investors. In addition to this, they, and many intermediaries, provide microloans to small business owners.

Despite all they do for small businesses, the SBA has many critics. The large majority of their criticism come from the belief that the businesses they help aren't really 'small.' In reaction to this, Mills simply says, "This is a program for small business, it's not a program for big business masquerading as small businesses," (Port).

What I learned from this article is that, should I have trouble getting my business REALLY off the ground, there are agencies that I can turn to for help.

Work Cited

Port, David. "But Where Is The Money." Entrepreneur 38.8 (2010): 84-89. Business Source Complete. Web. 6 Dec. 2012.

Second Time Around

Dec 1, I did my second Craft Show. I felt a lot more confident going into this one, being my second time around.

This show was part of the Lighting of the Oaks program at Lanier Charter Career Academy at the Oaks in Oakwood, Georgia. Also a part of the program were performances by various groups, a Creative Christmas Tree Contest, a Gingerbread House Contest, a silent auction, and, of course, The Lighting of the Oaks.

This time my Mom and I went in together 50-50. She was selling Christmas bows while I sold my usual wares. 

I had actually set up some of my merchandise in the student run Gift Shop there. For the show, I simply moved them down the hall and set them up on my tables. 

This time was oh so different than my first Craft Show. 

There were people coming in and looking around while most of us vendors were still setting up. This really irritated me because I didn't have everything out and if they didn't see something they liked then, they would have no reason to come back and see the rest of my merchandise. It was just really unfair to everyone involved. 

Speaking of unfair things, as a performer myself, I felt uglier than pooting in church, talking and carrying on while all the different groups were singing. We were all in the same room with the performers and audience on one informal side and the Craft Show on the other informal side

I felt like there were a lot more people at this show than at my last one but, no one was buying. They said all my stuff was cute and neat and such a great idea but never bought. My Mom brought to my attention that most of the people coming through were probably the parents of those who were performing and probably didn't know that there was going to be a Craft Show going on. Needless to say, they wouldn't be prepared to spend money on all of our wonderful products.

I also REALLY disliked the set up of the tables in the space. They were basically set up in L's. We chose an L in the middle of the room. We thought we could get some good traffic this way but I soon found that I had my back to customers a good deal. I would follow my customers as they went around the table then back around as another customer came by. I spent the whole night going in circles. 

Despite all these issues/problems/concerns, we broke even and profited a tiny bit monetarily. I say it like that because another vendor told me about another show in Cornelia that takes place for three days, two weekends in a row, $30 for all six days. I feel like this show could be a really good fit and could do well for me. 

As I have said before, God takes care of his children. In more ways than one.