Digestion of last night’s class was hard: the how-to’s of a business plan. The idea of starting a business sounds like a lot of fun–marketing your product or service, coming up with creative taglines and branding art, etc–until you realize that’s only the half of it.
Last night Ken broke the news: in order to get loans, funding, partners, leases with landlords, and expanding the business, you need a business plan and they certainly aren’t easy to make. One would think that the students would be scared or worried, but they were rapt with attention, soaking up Ken’s every word. Pages of notes were taken. Our students are serious! They are more than willing to take the hard stuff with the fun.
Rapt Attention and Pages of Notes
In fact, they are brimming with ideas and excited about the process. Our students discussed entrepreneurial ideas, spurning a great discussion about word of mouth, promotion techniques, and cash flow within the business. Ken emphasized the hope that despite money flowing in and out every month, that there is some left over for paying the bills!
Another big point Ken drove home was after the lengthy business plan has been written, how can you sell it in ten words or less? Would “Here come buy my jewelry?” catch your ear and eye, or would “Handmade jewelry with stones from Tanzania?” Coming up with something interesting and ear-catching is key.
Malik had an idea: “I’ll pretend to be Afghany, the accent and all,” as he switches into an unidentifiable central Asian accent, “I’m escaping the bombing, you know, and I, ehh, need food and money for my family to, ehh, bring them over….” Sitting right next to him, Delinda adds what we’re all thinking, “I’ve got to watch out for you!”
Mother and Daughter Mastering the Crimp
After such an intense class, it was time for “jewelry surgery” as James, a new student exclaimed. Two other new students got a private lesson from Miss Lisa while the others continued their practicing of the crimp and the wire wrapping.
On Tuesday, the students will be unveiling their gemstone reports and working on their unique designs. And we can’t forget that dang wire-wrapping–it’s tough!
We’ll have more photos up next week, as the internet kept breaking up today. Until next week–have a good weekend!
