Experience
The next time you have an idea, I want you to stand on your desk and shout it so everyone can hear.
A company I used to work for was in desperate need of change. I had an idea for a way we could reorganize, and I shared it with the company’s newly hired president, Bob Collins. The words I quoted above were said to me after Bob heard my idea. To my amazement, that’s the direction he moved the company towards. I would be remise to believe this reorganization was solely my idea, but it was my idea independent of all others. Regardless, this situation taught me a profound lesson. I have good ideas! And good ideas need to be expressed in a way that inspires others and implemented properly so that they get results.
With the confidence and experience I gained through my time at Shannon Forest, I decided to try out another business venture. Like the saying goes, “entrepreneurs see a need and fill it.” And, that’s just what I did. A few years ago I noticed a changing trend in the craft industry. People wanted to start creating their own art instead of purchasing it. The Do It Yourself (DIY) craze had been born! After completing market research, I realized many people who were inspired by DIY didn’t have the skills to actually make anything themselves. In addition to having an intuition for business strategy, I’m also able to teach. By blending these two skills, I started a makerspace. In case you’re not familiar, a makerspace is a collaborative workplace where people can learn creative skills, practice their craft and connect with others in a safe environment. The business was a huge success! However, after 8 years of running my company, I knew it was time to close. I needed to fulfill other dreams.
Entrepreneurship is an extremely intense leadership experience. I used to have a picture of a cat sticking his head out of a car window. The caption said, “Entrepreneurship, enjoy the ride.” The cat didn’t look like he was having a good time. Entrepreneurship is a rewarding experience if leadership can be done correctly. In addition to entrepreneurship, my other leadership most most memorable leadership role was holding the position of Panhellenic President at Birmingham-Southern College. This was where I had guidance from staff, and I was still free to develop my own leadership style.
Even though I was confident I had a knack for business, I still felt I needed to acquire more skills. It had always been a dream of mine to earn a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). After closing my business, I decided to enroll in the MBA program at The Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. If I got to do it over again, I know without a doubt that this program prepared me to tackle both my entrepreneurial and professional experiences in a more effective and efficient manner. Now that I’m nearing the end of my graduate school journey, I’m ready to share my knowledge, skills, and experience with a new company in the Birmingham, AL area.