Welcome


This is an interactive space for the student participants to share their experiences in the Milford Business Mentoring Program. Feel free to read, comment, and learn.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Thank You!

27 wonderful guests attended the Milford Business Mentoring Program recognition dinner at the Georgia House last night.  This culminating event brought together students, mentors, family, friends, and supporters to recognize the efforts and experiences of the program participants.  Pictures from the event will be posted to the Flickr photostream shortly.

Please keep in touch and let me know if you would like to be involved with the program in any capacity in the fall.  It has been a pleasure working with everyone!

Sincerely,

Janice

Thursday, April 7, 2011

AJ

The past 4 weeks was very fun and exciting. I had the chance to work at the same time to skate. i became friends with the employees and some of the skaters and this little kid who was so adorable, became my best friend and knows how to skate since 18 months. I raced with him but unfortunately, the five year-old beat the heck out of me maybe 3 times. The manager, Ms. Carmen, was very hospitable and nice. She manages her business by letting her employees do their jobs without being supervised and for me that is very disciplined for her to do that. one night, an accident happened. A skater had a broken her arm. Ms. Carmen responded as quickley as possible and did the first aid to the kid. I was amazed that those things really happen in a kid-friendly area. I was very nervous at the 1st week because it was my first time to go inside in a skating rink and she said i can leave anytime i want. Every week, I used to came a little bit early so I could practice skating while there is no people yet. Sometimes I help them to clean the area. One time when I stayed to long, there were some games they offer so it won't be a little bit boring skating around and around. So i guess that's it. 

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Ian

3/10/11
Yesterday my partner and I went to the business that would be mentoring.  The place we were assigned was Georgia House which is a restaurant.  There we learned about the various things that the employees had to do.  The whole time we were there we were lead around the restaurant by the manager.   The session was actually quite enjoyable.  
3/17/11
                Yesterday me and my partner got to actually meet are mentor for the first.  Are mentor was really nice and the conversation immediately started flowing.  The conversations that took place were quite interesting and the information discussed was very helpful. We even got to know a lot about each other and shared a couple laughs.  All and all this week’s meeting was awesome.  
3/24/11
                Yesterday’s meeting with Cortez was the same as last weeks.  We asked him questions and he gave us answers.  But, this time he showed me and my partner how to take inventory.  Which was actually harder than I thought it would be.  And, after we finished taking inventory Cortez gave me and my partner a drink and some soup and relaxed for the last 10 minutes. 
3/31/11
                During this Wednesday’s meeting Cortez took the final step in showing how the business was ran.  I was placed behind the counter with the other people that make the food.  I was even showed how to make some of the dishes they serve.  The meeting was great and proved to be of great enjoyment.  And, I might even think about applying for a job there.   

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Olivia

My second week of the mentoring program was great in fact I couldn't wait I had so much fun learning how to set up window displays along with organizing items around the store and how to place certain items in order to catch the eye of the costumer and consumer. We spent our whole time just taking about how colors and figures can be put together a certain way and catch the eye. Along with taking two seperate items and putting them together. All and all it was a great second week.   

Chantay

This week my mentor, Mr. Cortez showed my partner Ian and I how to do inventory for the restaurant. After he showed us what to do then he let us actually try to complete the inventory list. It turned out to be an easy job than what I thought. The walk in freezer was very very cold though so I think he might want to check that part of the inventory. We were trying to get back to the warmth  of in doors. One of the questions I asked Mr. Cortez was, "If you could start a new business right now what would it be?" Mr. Cortez elaborated on this topic a lot. Seems like when he was in high school he had a friend who was into fashion and he was into cooking so they thought about having a restaurant where models model clothes and when you pay your check and leave the customer could buy anything they saw while eating dinner. That sounded like a good idea to me.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Zach

My first two visitts were great I learnd alot. First day was more of asking questions and getting to know each other. The secound day we actually becaome part of the crew and helped with the cooing ect.. So far it has been a blast look forward to next week.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Chantay

This week my partner Ian and I met our mentor for the first time because he was out last week. Mr Vann was very helpful by answering the few questions Ian and I had to ask. I liked that Mr Vann was very laid back and he didn't lecture us the whole time. Our session was about an hour and a half long which wasn't too bad, it could have been longer. I don't know quite what we will be doing next week but I'm very excited to find out.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Olivia

To me honest I will admit that I did have my doubts about how the program will turn out but all and all my first week of shadowing went great! I had the opportunity to work beside Mrs. Carter the owner and employee of EcoChic and the things that I learned from her will leave an lasting impression. I learned that when it comes to wanting to own a business it comes all down to your heart and family being in it and that you can even find the littlest ways to be creative. We talked about how the layout came to be and how she decides to place her items around the store. Along with how the econmy has affected the business itself. It was an great experience and I can't wait til my next session to learn more about the process of coming to own your own business. The best part of it all is that we come from the same story were both creative and independent but what was most imprssive was that she majored in nursing just like I want!!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Chantay

This week I had my first shadowing session with my mentor at The Georgia House, a downtown Milford Restauraunt. A gentleman by the name of Cortez was supposed to be mentoring me but one of his partners, Kristal, stepped in and took care of me and my partner Ian. Me and Ian learned a little about what Ms. Kristal spends her day doing. Today she was spending her time preparing a menu for a client. She had to make sure that what she planned would be something her client would like and enjoy. She also explained that starting from the bottom of the totem pole and working your way up is not a bad idea at all.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Ian

Blog 2
2/10/11
At this week’s meeting we cover some very important information about how to develop your own business.  The majority of what we covered was just what skills and other things you should do to make your business better than other businesses.  We also covered information on personal finance.  And, information on how to establish good credit and the accounting steps were discussed.  And, the food there this week was even better than last week’s food.            

Blog 3
2/16/11
Tuesday’s meeting was the same as the other two meetings.  The guest speaker this time was a woman that had been a business owner six times and had started her first business when she was eighteen.  The information that she gave us about running a business was quite useful.  The conversation took some time to get started, but once it did everything went smoothly.  But, all and all it was a good meeting.  

Blog 4
2/24/11
Today at the meeting we were visited by a retired U.S. army ranger who became an entrepreneur.  Everyone was able to ask him questions about what it’s like to be an entrepreneur.  Some great discussions were brought up that resulted in a great deal of information, and I think just about everyone’s questions were answered.  So all and all this week’s meeting went over pretty well.  And we even got are mentors.   

Chantay

This week Mr. Mike Nally came to talk to the other students and I. Mr. Nally was very open about talking to us about watever we wanted to know. He didn't even lecture us like all the other speakers did. We just asked him questions and he answered them. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with lecturing I just liked his method a little more. Mr. Nally told us that when we first start our own businesses there's going to be some setbacks and some downfalls but we have to keep our heads up and move in from it. We shouldn't let our problems whether they are work related or home related show in the work place. I think that is true for any job , not just your own business. These next four weeks we each are going to be shadowing a local downtown Milford business owner. We get to watch what they have to go thru on a daily basis and how they handle customers and their employees . I'm very excited about the shadowing part. This program has given me lots of ideas and has gotten my brain turning all the time now, asking myself questions about my future business. Starting thus program was a very good idea.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Neil

For me second week was the best. I had DECA state competition next day and i was participating in Accounting series and talking with an Accountant himself was a great oppurtunity and I think it paid off, because i placed second in the states and looking forward to go to nationals and I would like to thank him to take a time out from his daily routine and come to talk to us thank you very much.

Third was really nice. I leaned more about how education is very important in our life and how to use those skills effectively to be a successful Businessman.

Olivia

Third week of entrepreneurship lessons was by far the best. Though we did have amazing speakers within the past week this week really hit home for me. We reflected on how no matter what career your in entrepreneurship doesn't always mean you have to own a famous business. Say if you were to become an doctor you are still an entrepreneur since you must have nurses and those that follow under you. All and all this week was an great experience from the talking onto more personal level with past experiences seen in the business that we can learn by to the laughs shared over our conversations. Our group I'd truly all friends.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Chantay

During this session we talked about business plans and what goes into a business plan. This will help me personally because I  want my business to prosper and that would be more possible if I advertise on the right places and have clientele, which we also discussed at the meeting.

Olivia

 It takes more then the personality of a career woman to make a business successful. Coming into our second week of taking this course we learned today how to budget our money along with the five uses that we can put that money toward such as receive, save, give, invest, and spend! We also saw the three steps to accounting management such as first identify, then record and last but surely not least is communicate.  So as for you there's a couple tips that can really boost your marketing entrepreneur self that's read at least thirty minutes EVERYDAY. Also develop unique skills something that you personally are good at as an individual. Lastly GAIN EXPERIENCE I know it might be the most gross job u ever have but it'll pay off in the long run. So my viewer today I leave you with one word if advice "nice". ( even the most rude customer in the store deserves it.) here's Olivia jester signing out :) 

Friday, February 11, 2011

Chantay

This week we learned all about how to manage the money we will make in our own business. Mr Shawn Myers showed us different charts and tables in which we can use to organize our revenue , profit or anything else. This is a big part of having our own businesses because if we can't manage our money correctly then we could be out of business before we even get started.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

AJ

Hi i'm AJ Ibarola and this is my first time to say something in this blog. You know, since i joined this program, it madew me realize that success just don't come easily. We, as the people of the future, has to spend time and work hard to achieve what our speakers and Ms. Janice had achieved. If something came to you that would change your life, like busniess,take the opportunity. Anyway, this week was another successful afternoon. We had pizza and soda for snacks as provided by Ms. Janice. Mr. Shawn Myers taught us how business should be able to do for its own growth. I could you the knowledge that I am learning here to start my business in the near future. Our speakers said that you should put all of your time in your business, but what if you wanted to be a professional not just in business? For me, I'm just gonna be needing my sweat and blood to make this happen! whatever happens in the future, We'll try my best to the very best that we can be! See you next week guys. Peace!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Chantay

Hello, this is Chantay Harmon. During the 1st session of the Milford Business Mentoring Program I learned some shocking things. For example, if you are an aspiring entrepreneur it is actually good to have gotten fired at some point in your life. During this meeting we also had Ken Anderson come and talk to us about some of the character traits you should have or be willing to adapt in order to be the most successful entrepreneur that you can. All of the things we talked about are going to help me as I prepare myself for the business world because before, I had no idea what to expect but now I sort of have a better understanding and hopefully by the time the program is over my understanding will have grown a lot more. Thank you for you time to put this program together.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Zach

Tuesday was our first meeting about future enrepreneurism. Our first guest speaker was Mr. Ken Anderson. he is currently the Entrepreneurial and small Business Support for the Delaware Economic Development office. While he was speaking we learned many interesting things about what it takes to own your own bussiness. some of the things I learned really surprised  me. I look forward to going to the next meeting.

Ian

The first meeting was quite enjoyable even though I was a little nervous, but I my opinion what happened there went over very well.  The information that was covered in the meeting was quite helpful to me so that I would know what is needed to be an entrepreneur.  And, the people there were really nice and the general mood was great.  And, the food provided looked good even though I didn’t eat any of it.

Neil

Mr. Ken Anderson, Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Support at Dedo, was the guest speaker for us. He talked about skills, necessary things needed for being a successful entrepreneur. he gave us some inspiring examples from his own life and some other successful people. i would love to learn more and use the information in real life to be successful.

Olivia

It's a nervous fear that many seem to not want to face though the fact of the matter is that we all have to sooner or later. The question that runs through our mind over and over again is if this is the right business for us or not? Our first meeting as young entrepreneurs helped us gather some hints as to where we need to go in order to complete this journey to our goal. Such as finishing school but most importantly don't let what other people think get in our way of reaching our goals cause all we have to do I'd believe in ourselves and we will be able to reach our goal. We also got to partake in learning a few neat facts such as it's better to have been fired then not to have been at all, given the reason of course. But also what really kept my mind into the controversy was that entrepreneurs are what is inside you no matter if your parents were entrepreneurs or not, you are your own person! This is Liv saying "be your own person for you are what your dreams are." See ya next week!!!!