I'm dreaming!

You know something has really hit me when I dream about it immediately. Last night I traveled to another world. It was on the CARIMAC lawn with a panel of 'venture capitalists', namely Dr. James, director of CARIMAC, Ms. Charmaine Henry, Dr. Livingston Whyte and about two others whose faces remain blurry. My group, Creative JEMS was to pitch their business idea and I was chosen to bring it across.

I remember doing all the talking. Trust me, I could feel the passion in my sleep! Our business idea surrounds serving young children, which I have always had a love for. It was educational, which I believe is more important than idle play. Now that I apply this dream to my stray thoughts and subject them to be analysed, I realize that I have a passion for children. I have a child's mind sometimes and I can play with them and do foolishness just to make them happy. I want to have six children after all, I must love children.

I have never looked into this aspect though that I could use that passion to drive my entrepreneurial ventures. Serving the children of Jamaica educationally would do us all a great value. We want to make good leaders, nuh? A child shall lead them. We want less brain drain... so why not start drilling cultural patriotism in their brains from a young age? It seems forceful, but it really is just smart long-term thinking. It is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks, and so we must practice proper and engaging learning tools as early as possible!

In other light, learning about the elevator pitch has helped me to organize my personal brand. As a future multimedia consultant, I must always be 'topping up' my image and abilities. I must be prepared to sell myself and my skills in any situation. Time and time again, I have sold myself, without my business card.... something I NEED to do, I KNOW! But if I am not completely prepared and confident, how can I make a successful pitch? I know that my skills are valuable and relevant. Through learning about this elevator pitch some more, I know I can be a better business woman and marketer and by extension, a successful entrepreneur.

Here are some tips to create the perfect elevator pitch.

~Madam-Entrep~

Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA): Address

We had a speaker, Fabian Brown, President of the YEA, who had come to encourage us in the field of entrepreneurship. Again, another inspiring lesson from this course. I definitely learnt more about myself as an enterprising individual. Some things he taught us...

Find our passion (s) and make our passions our business. Remember I spoke about my interests earlier? I'm gonna sift that a second time and choose the ones I realllly love. An important point to note in choosing your passion? According to Fabian, it isn't what you study, what you have work experience in, but what will want you to get up and do it everyday, even with little pay. Hmm it seems I will have to develop some new passions lol. So steps to successful entrepreneurship:

1. Identify your passion.
2. Be willing to recognize and own that passion.
3. Make a plan based on your passion.
4. Be willing to pay the price.
5. Open your perspectives to the risks of your passion.

We also learnt many inspirational quotes... he was a walking quote man. They were very interesting and motivational nevertheless. Some beautiful entrepreneurial tips to live by:

• Three words to reduce in your vocabulary- just, but, try
• Innovation + creativity= relevance & success
• Step outside the box
• Exceed expectations
• People, things and opp are in our lives most times for a reason and a season, don't allow them to stay for a lifetime.
• Make your passion your business!
• Entrepreneurs seize the moment!
• Seek to find the passion that exists in that moment to advance you. 
• Get up. Dress up. Show up.
• Entrep. make things happen.

Is there an entrepreneur in me? I believe it is in everyone. Some, though, have to work harder to develop the traits. I want to learn more about myself and my enterprising possibilities. It can be done! It will be!

~Madam-Entrep~

Entrepreneurs cannot go it alone

In the new, more globally competitive environment, going it alone is so out of style. (Kotler, 2008)

Team-orientation seems to be big in this economical era. There is so much breakdown of roles and processes that no one person can do it all alone. A smart entrepreneur will accept and appreciate that. What do you think?

~Madam-Entrep~

33 ways to stay Creative ... by PS i made this...

As creative minds who depend on innovation to survive, we must strive to keep the creativity flowing. Here is a way to improve your entrepreneurial skills and success by simply having fun and learning about yourself in the process. I dare you to try at least 10 of these 33 ways to stay creative. You never know what new idea or venture opening your mind could take you on. Take a risk! What do you have to lose?

~Madam-Entrep~

GREEN THUMB...PINK SPOON: 33 ways to stay Creative ... by PS i made this...

Want to think different? Try thinking ahead!

Our goal is to lead customers where they want to go before they know where they want to go.- A 3M Executive

This is so true of an entrepreneur as well. As the President of YEA told us on Wednesday (which you will hear more about soon), entrepreneurs have to create the line; we have to make the trends. We must have something that sets us apart from everyone else. We must be different, innovating and outstanding. This quote encourages us to think ahead- think long term. We ought to have a vision whose scope encompasses the present as well as the future. The needs of today's society are important and indeed relevant, but will it be relevant in five years? What can you do to make sure your service or product is meeting needs and creating value for now and the future?

Research your market so well that you know what will value them before they even pick it up. That is a good way to be innovative, different, relevant and so... a successful entrepreneur. Can you think of any needs of the future? Be imaginative and curious! Explore the possibilities!

~Madam-Entrep~