Rachel

So far my experiences with this program have been great. It was a lot of fun the first day, I really enjoy talking to my mentor and she has already answered so many of my questions and its was cool to see how she got to where she is today. She started with just an idea and now she has had her business running for three years and it's going great for her, it's really an inspiration to see someone do all that and makes me think that I could do that one day also, maybe I am cut out to be an entrepreneur one day too. I am going to continue on with this program to help me find out. :)

Emily

     Last Thursday Mr. Ken Anderson, the speaker from DEDO, talked about if you had what it takes to be an entrepreneur. He also discussed that no matter what kind of home you grew up in or where you came from you can still be a successful person. And it doesn't take talent to be an entrepreneur, it takes skills. Also that as you think positive and think that "yes" i can do it then you are more likely to succeed in being an entrepreneur. He gave us a packet of quotes and there was one that stood out to me : Our thoughts are physical in the universe ... watch what you think about on a regular basis ... it might happen."

   My Partner and I were assigned to Abbot's Grill, which was a coincidence because we are both wanting to open our own restaurant. Our mentor showed us around and told us how they pick what to have on the menu and what to take off. He also told us that having certain events on certain nights will help with your business.

Jose

My first week at this program went pretty will. At Georgia House we were attended very well. Me and my partner had fun eating and drinking sodas. The guy told us some of his background just to get to know him and so did we. It was a pretty good experience to have and I hope this week coming up we do something fun as well.

First speaker session

A big thanks to Diane for taking some great pics at our first speaker session last week. Speaker Ken Anderson talked to students on, "Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Entrepreneur?"

A few takeaway points from Ken's talk:

• "Entrepreneur" refers to individual and actions individuals who create and assume the risk for a venture that deploys an innovative concept (defined as a new process, new product, or a new model), usually involving the application of technology, to generate results at a rate exceeding that of a non-entrepreneurial approach. 
• Your thoughts become physical in the universe, so protect your dreams! 
•  A fair portion of today's entrepreneurs were the first in their family to start a business. 
• Talent is natural, but skill must be developed. You can develop the skills you need to be successful.
• What's your passion? What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning? How can that potentially be lucrative?
• Don't be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of life. Try to think ahead--what would you do if your business failed?
• GREATNESS exists in all of us. Every single one of you has the potential to do great things. "Greatness, come out!"

Learn a little more about our speakers!

Here are a few links to the places where our speakers currently work. 

• Delaware Economic Development Office
• The Bowers Group of Delaware 
• Lead Your Way Solutions
• First State Community Loan Fund

To learn more about your business mentors, check out their websites using the links in the sidebar (righthand side of the blog).

Small business is a priority for the Governor!

Hi students,


Take a look at this link (http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120119/NEWS/100121025/-1/NLETTER03/Markell-promises-boost-for-small-business?source=nletter-breakingnews). Here, Governor Markell discusses his plans to boost small business and entrepreneurship throughout the state in this time of financial difficulty. Delaware will be the first state to use Facebook to support its small businesses!

You all are a part of Delaware's future and success as a state, because you are entrepreneurs-in-training. Small business is the way forward!

Welcome!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the 2012 Milford Business Mentoring Program! We are so excited to see what these next four weeks bring you. Through this program, you are part of a unique experience which will help you understand your interests in entrepreneurship/business as a profession.

Here, a MHS student from last year's program learns about the Georgia House's daily operations.

This blog is meant to be a social media space for you as you go through the program. Use it to communicate with one another, to ask questions, and to document your thoughts. We ask that you do a journal entry on this blog once per week in order to better understand what the speakers and business owners are teaching you. Blog posts are due EVERY WEDNESDAY before noon.

It is our pleasure to act as a resource to you, so if you have any questions throughout the program, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Let’s get rolling!

Best,
Bryan Shupe, Volunteer Program Coordinator

Carly James, Program Aide