Young Entrepreneurs Market

For the fourth consecutive year Acton Academy Guatemala organized its Business Fair. An event where kids (7-17) learn and put into practice what it means to earn from creating value to others. This time the fair was part of a larger event "Soñe Futuro".

In 2015 edition the stakes were much higher. First of all it was going to take place in a public venue (last year it was too but at a smaller scale) with expectations of thousands of visitors. Second they had three years of experience and therefore their projects had to be much better. Finally new rules limit the inter-purchases between the kids and parents (no bailouts).

The project is a full business experience. For about four months the Eagles developed their ideas, conducted market research to get feedback from potential buyers (previously they defined their segment), prototyped product. They made a complete cost analysis, forecast their sales and calculated their break even points. Also kids elaborated a marketing strategy with pricing, product branding, sales pitch and merchandising. In some cases they developed the product and sourced the production while others did the production themselves. Finally they put up their booths to sell, sell, sell. All funding has to be paid back to creditors and if thing don't happen as planned face the losses.

NUTS 4 NUTS

This year Mariafer decided to sell homemade peanut butter. She started considering varieties with other nuts but raw materials costs were too high making it difficult to sell. She scaled back to plain, chunky and honey peanut butter. Since she had some leftover nuts added a line of nuts in a bag. Financially she did OK, at least cover her costs and has inventory to sell in future days. Some of her key take-aways was that attracting customers is a challenge and it is not just a matter of yelling "peanut butter!!!!!". Also that forecasting is not easy specially when falling on the overoptimistic side.

TRIP TIPS

José Andrés took a more ambitious challenge. Probably inspired by our traveling anecdotes he created a game with traveling tips. A set of cards with tips arranged in different categories (i.e. pictures, travel arrangements, etc.). All printed, fastened and boxed to easy carry. The product needed a more complex sales pitch and one of his lessons learned was "Better to get 50 No's, and 1 Yes, than 50 Yes' and 1 No". It sounds weird but he later explained that after each NO he improved and tweaked his sales pitch, while getting only yes was like being a cashier at the store. Understanding the market and that a good ideas is not necessary a good product are other lessons learned. He still has to recover his investment and pay his bills but surely learned a lot. Now he wants to try to convert the game into an app after suggestions from customers and mentors. He is starting to learn how to code....

Seeing them face the project with a full roller coaster of emotions; excitement, frustration, joy, discouragement, stress, satisfaction, serenity, etc. is seeing them mature at high speed. They still have inventory to sell, new ideas to work on, and soon the 2016 edition of the Acton Academy Business Fair. Congratulations for another successful accomplishment. 

Soñe Futuro

Last Sunday, Nov. 29th, we participated in Soñe Futuro ("I dreamed the future") and amazing cultural and social event at the Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias. An event organized by Saul E. Mendez, an iconic company in fashion and food, as part of "Visionarios" a larger project to provoke people to dream a better Guatemala. Soñe Futuro looked to unlock to the public about 6 hectares of open spaces at the National Theater. 

The Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias is a complex of theaters, museums, plazas and gardens that is closed to the public except for specific performances at the theaters. Emilio Méndez and his team had the idea of reopening this space for families to enjoy a good and safe time outdoors. The entrance to the event was through a long stairway that remained closed for many, many years. I recalled when little in the late 70's (shortly after its opening) going up the stairs to access the theaters. I ignore why it was closed but the only way in became from the parking lot. Visitors missed most of the spaces filled with nature, sculptures, fountains, and trails and eventually forgot.

Picture taken from Soñé Futuro website

The event went beyond a open park, it included cultural activities like concerts, dancers, painters and performers. Also casual dinning with food trucks. An entrepreneurial spaces with fresh proposals from young entrepreneurs, a market place and a Young Entrepreneurs Market where kids from Acton Academy Guatemala ages 7 to 17 out up a store to sell products they developed. 

An overview of the Young Entrepreneurs Market from the "Teatro al aire libre"

The logistics of the event was flawless. From the coordination with the city to provide transportation, to the security and orderliness of the spaces, and the atmosphere made of Soñe Futuro an event of optimism and hope for the future. To me it was also a trip to the past to remember all those spaces I walked when young.

Congratulations to Emilio and the Saul E. Mendez family for such inspiring event. Congratulations to the artists who participated. Also to the entrepreneurs who pitch their projects, and of course the Acton Eagles who dare to invest in their businesses selling to strangers under real market conditions.

My kids selling. José Andrés a game he invented. and Mariafer peanut butter and nuts.

Conquering fear

Last night we went to another Talent Show in Academia Teatro Abril. Mariafer participated in some group performances; she was Snow White in a sketch about the story, and danced in a pop song choreography. But the reason to be the best day of today is that this was her first solo attempt on stage.

Since she started two years ago in the Academy, and after her first group performance she wanted to get on stage by herself. However she was hesitant, doubtful. Eventually she choose a song but the school year was almost over. Her promise was to get on stage in 2015. Almost every Saturday after she finished her practice we asked if she told the teachers that she wanted to sing, and always she replied with a no followed by a bunch of excuses. It was a mixed message, on one side the teachers were very happy about her progress and enthusiasm, while on the other she was holding herself back.

How I read the news!!!

With a little push and support from the staff she finally spoke up. She had a couple of practice session but June had less classes due to a half year break. I didn't expect her to be ready for the monthly festival. Last Saturday I learned that she auditioned and was chosen for yesterday's Talent Show!

No, it was not the best day because we discovered the next Taylor Swift. I have no eye to be an art critic, I have the eye of a proud father and sure see more than may there be. It was the best day because I could testify how a 8 year old girl set a goal, struggled with it, practiced, practiced, practiced, dealt with adversity and came out victorious.

Campbell's Hero's Journey
(found on the web credits unknown)

At Acton Academy, their school, they learn that every person is a hero and they learn using Joseph Campbell hero journey Monomyth. When I look back at what Mariafer accomplished I see the model in action.

Mariafer was cool in her ordinary world. She went to music, acting classes every Saturday and had fun with her friends and teachers. One day she got an invitation from Chabe, the Academic Coordinator; "jump on stage and make your show"  At the beginning she didn't take it too seriously but as she advanced with her other classes she started to gain interest on the idea. Inspiration came from different place, (need to validate with her) but sure people like Chabe and her teachers, plus a positive environment were part of it. 

The chronicle of Mariafer's journey to the unknown.

Saturday 27th, For a while she was resisting to cross the threshold but now Mariafer finally steps forward and auditions, a point of no return.

She has to work, polish whatever is not working, solve pending challenges to get ready. Reject the enemies such as procrastination, distraction and critique. Use whatever she has at hand to be prepared.

Practicing at the pool

The day came, 5:30 p.m. she goes in for the final rehearsal and face her deepest fears, doubts and considers giving up. With the support of her teachers, she overcomes fear and gets ready to jump on the stage.

While on stage the biggest challenges may come true, will the time for practice and preparation pay back? 8:10 p.m. lights go on, Mariafer is in the center of the stage and the music doesn't play right away. There was a change in the program and the sound engineer seems to be lost. No problem, she starts to sing "a cappella", a few seconds later the track starts but it is out of sync. She manages to sync without loosing the purpose, entertain the audience. People follow clapping, the show goes on and she fights to keep the energy up. The song comes to an end and she receives an immediate reward, she is proud of herself. The clapping from the audience confirms her satisfaction,

Today she returns to the ordinary world, she is no longer the same. She set a new standard to beat, She will continue to work her act, another day in her hero's journey!

Congratulations Mariafer!!!

I don't know where she will end, she may give up acting all together and become a doctor, or a teacher, or any other thing. However the experience of going through the cycle with enthusiasm, enjoying what she was doing, feeling the pride of a well deserved victory will remain in her all her life.

Mariafer with Monica, with Chabe, and with Jose Andres and myself

Father's day 2015

On June 17th we celebrate Father's day in Guatemala. My celebration began early with a Softball game with Mariafer and her elementary classmates. They invited us over to play at the Softball field where they practice every week. 

It was fun and an opportunity to asses how much they have improved in their game, as well as sharing a couple of hours with the kids and their fathers. Since we were quite a large group the coach divide us in three teams. First played A vs B a long inning. The winner  played against team C, us, and the winner was the overall champ, which it was us.  Once the game was over the kids had breakfast goodies and handcrafts they prepared to thank us.

At noon the celebration continued. Jose Andres and the middleschoolers invited us for lunch. Homemade cheeseburgers! The kids prepared the grill, and served a delicious lunch. Again an opportunity to share with some other fathers. Besides the meal the kids had prepared some skill games we laughed playing.

Later that night we went for dinner with Monica's parents. In this case Ambia was the choice. Pasta, pizza and tiramisu (not as good as mine I heard).

Overall, a day of celebration, food, and to be honest, not much work. 

Pantera Onca on Sixth Avenue

Pantera Onca is the scientific name of the jaguar, but also a song by our friends from Viernes Verde. 

On may 27th the city opened an exhibition title Jaguars on the Sixth. It is the fourth pride of Jaguars that decor a pedestrian street that goes from  Paseo Jocotenango to Paseo de La Sexta. These sculptures are based on the cast made by our friend and well know sculpture Max Leiva.

The purpose is to use them as canvases for young talented artist to express themselves. According to Max the original plan was more ambitious and tried to cover the different high traffic spots in the city. Instead of the whole city they less and scattered along this pedestrian street. This year the invitees are:

1. Gabriel Rodriguez Pellecer, "Nearsighted" 
2. Lourdes de la Riva, "Phantom"
3. Soft, "Animal Fluorescence"
4. Arturo Monroy, "Guatemala Jaguar"
5. Alejandro Azurdia, "Gold and silver rain"
6. Rolando Madrid, "No name"

Just getting started....

Back in 2011 UFM test trial a new format of MBA, Acton MBA. A unique concept that started years before in Austin by Jeff Sandefer, a visionary entrepreneur, with the idea of entrepreneurs teaching entrepreneurs. The first class "Entrepreneurial Journey - EJ" set the pace of what the program would be.

ACTON became an alternative MBA program, competing directly with the traditional MBA from the School of Business. Something that is unique of UFM, I've worked with School of Business for more than 20 years hence experiencing ACTON was a way to understand better this new contender and learn from them.

After EJ came a couple of courses more, and more, and eventually I realized that I was half way. My curiosity was served, but there was something in ACTON that made me go back. A little of pride of finishing what I have started, a bit of my entrepreneurial ghost who was looking for a crack in the wall to escape, and some of my academic curiosity to understand the whole enchilada.

It took me four years to finish a program that usually takes one. In the beginning I signed only in classes available on early Friday to have less time conflicts with work. When I ran out of those choices, I had no alternative but to attend regardless of the day and juggle better work, family and school. A program that usually attracts young energetic professionals (late 20's) had me hooked. I still remember the day I had to make an assignment about how I saw myself when 40!!! I LOL asking, do you want me to share how it was? 

I'm finally done, just waiting for paperwork. Big take-aways. Instead of digging deep on the managerial concepts we dug deep on the entrepreneur mind. ACTON is like a team experience of an entrepreneurial lab. George R.R. Martin wrote; “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one”. I could say the same about entrepreneur's lives in ACTON.

Scholars like Israel Kirzner and Peter Klein have greatly contributed to the understanding of entrepreneurship, but none has nailed the definition. What Justice Potter Stewart said about porn ("I can't define porn, but I know it when I see it") applies to entrepreneurship. ACTON doesn't prescribe a model because there is no model, but after going over hundreds of cases, and discussing the essence of each, running business simulators, preparing elevator pitches and selling on the street, I know better what it means. After ACTON either you run away scared of what being an entrepreneur is, or get itchy feet to jump start.

Right now I feel a great responsibility on my shoulders. It is not another academic degree, nor business fad. The entrepreneur spirit saw what is in the other side and now is slamming the glass to escape and set free. I'm baffled with so many experiences and ideas. It is time to clear my mind and see the path before letting my daimon run free.

The Ultimate Gift

Year after year we celebrate different ¨special occasions¨. Weddings, anniversaries, holidays, and birthdays. All these should be Sharing Moments but many times we end up exhausted. Instead of celebrating one´s spacial day we work double shift preparing, serving and taking care of friends and families, and cleaning. "Isn't it ironic that if it is my day, I have to do all the work?"

This time I choose to set the roles the right way, Monica´s birthday was on the first days of May and instead of having her working (both serving FFF and job related) I planned a weekend escapade. Kids would stay over at their grandparents while we would go to a nice Spa not far from home. Before leaving, Jose Andres and I baked a Tiramisu. Monica was hungry for it and I knew it would be a good choice. 

After dropping the kids off at their abuelos we drove to our retreat. San Gregorio is an eco-spa located about 30 minutes from home on a hill overlooking lake Amatitlan. The place has a beautiful view, great food and nice service. Monica doesn't like massages and saunas but still appreciated a day of relax. No camera, no laptop, no cellphone, no stress.

Next day we checked out after lunch and drove back  to her parents. There we had a small family get together to have cake, Tiramisu of course, and sang Happy Birthday.

Knowing that it was "The Ultimate Gift" for her made this day, the best day of today.

No hay "pocas" palabras que resuman todo lo especial que tu sos para mi... pero al menos te agradeceré por esta maravillosa celebración de cumpleaños que preparaste para mi!!! Todo en secreto, todo planeado, confabulado y friamente calculado!! De principio a fin sin que se me pasara por la cabeza, tanto asi, que tuve que cambiar de planes mil veces!! haha Haber hablado con mis papas para que se quedaran con los niños... el solo hecho de no saber, de no esperar, de no pensar... lo máximo!! Desde el momento que llegamos y me dijiste que me traías a que hiciéramos lo que yo quisiera, sin planes, sin relojes, sin compu, sin cámara, sin celulares, sin prisa y sin stress.... wow... priceless!!!! Siempre me ha puesto nerviosa eso de no hacer nada... pero este fin de semana lo disfrute y hasta me gustoooo!!!! GRACIAS por quererme tannnnto que hasta siento que no me lo merezco! por consentirme tannnto que me siento totalmente "spoiled" y por ser taaan especial que me siento la mujer mas afortunada sobre la faz de la tierra!! Insisto en que Dios me quiere mucho porque te mando a mi vida como mi "Ultimate Gift"!!!  Gracias una vez mas por este maravilloso cumpleaños... asi si dan ganas de seguir contando los años y no descontandolos!!