My name is Blake Jett and I am a co-founder of MutePoint, LLC. I am partnered with two friends, Sam Tucker and Kyle Reynolds. All three of us are college students and have created a clothing company out of “scratch”. Sam Tucker and I attend school at McPherson College, which gave us motivation to set out on this endeavor. Kyle Reynolds is a student of Colorado State University. Our company is meant to motivate and inspire people across the world by using clothing as our “easel” to create the art that is essential for promoting inspiration. MutePoint is a practice in the spread of ideas through the use of memes and the influence of the underground and urban environment. Through our conceptual art and the interesting medium that is the t-shirt, we believe we can change the world. And even if we don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty, we still hope we can make you think.
To help out, Sam created a face for MutePoint. That face is Bernie. He’s distinguishable, sophisticated, and a bad a$$. Adding a sense of character can allow our consumers to feel a sense of meaning within our product type.
Blake and Kyle hold up the business end whereas Sam dominates the art work. Having Bernie and our philosophy put together allows us to reply to that common question, “What does MutePoint mean?” we smile and reply, “What do you want it to mean?” because MutePoint has no concrete meaning, we want everyone to have their own meaning for what MutePoint stands for. One of our “goals” is if you were to ask 100 people what MutePoint means to them, they would give you 100 different answers. We receive importance through perceived importance. “Honoring imagination, Promoting Inspiration.”
MutePoint would still be a myth and a dream if it weren’t McPherson College. McPherson College allowed us to create our dreams by a major thing called “The Horizon Fund”. The Horizon Fund is a micro-grant that the entrepreneurship department of McPherson College created to allow students to follow their dreams and help out society. It’s available to all majors and all students that attend McPherson College. We have received 3 total micro-grants from the school that totals to $750. The maximum amount that you can receive in one micro-grant is $500. It’s a micro-grant to help you pursue research and complete a business plan and strategy. To many, it doesn’t seem like much, but in reality it is a significant amount to help you start something, and begin your road to success. It even allows you to construct a little bit of advertising.
To anyone who is new to the business world, or an entrepreneur, or even trying to find their way into the business world; never give up on what you want, and never give up on your dreams. There is always going to be that one person to try and bring you down, or make you feel like what you are doing is impossible. Just follow this advice — Never let somebody tell you that you can’t do something. And there is no such thing as impossible.
Growing up, I have had many critics tell me that I would never be a good soccer player, and even that I wouldn’t graduate college. So just so they know, I turned out to be a great soccer player, walking away with championship rings and conference awards at the collegiate level, I am graduating college with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management in May, and I started a clothing company that is here for the betterment of the world. Never give up on your dreams, because you can do anything you want. It’s your life. Honor your imagination and do what makes you happy.

I am Casey Maxon, a junior Historic Automotive Restoration Major at McPherson College, and the founder of Cacklefest Photography. I specialize in artistic motorsport portraiture. Cacklefest Photography provides the discerning automotive enthusiast; the restorer, collector or hobbyist with creative, unique and high quality photos of classic cars, motorcycles and trucks. Whether it is documenting a restoration or showcasing a customer’s pride and joy, I present an approachable option for those involved in the automotive and motorcycle industries, with a focus on classics.

It is my intense passion for cars and trucks that has led me to my pursuits in photography. Cacklefest photography is simply an outgrowth of this passion. I have come to photography directly as an auto enthusiast. My experience prior to Cacklefest in the world of photography was confined to memory cards and rolls of film I devoured at all of the local car shows I grew up attending. I have, as many other enthusiasts have, spent hours pouring over the classic car and motorcycle coffee table books. My enjoyment of classic cars is not unique nor is my appreciation for a well photographed vehicle. It is my ability to understand both aspects and merge them to capture all that makes the auto such a central part of so many people’s lives. It was here I recognized a business opportunity.

It wasn’t until McPherson College offered me the necessary funding to truly explore photography as a business opportunity that I was able make the leap. I had toyed with the idea for years but with little background or funds for equipment, the Horizon Fund grants have been instrumental in allowing me to pursue Cacklefest Photography. The start-up funds allowed me to purchase a professional level DSLR and gave me the inspiration to dive head first into the photography world. Hundreds of books read and digital photographs later as well as the assistance of the Horizon Fund in with further funding, I am well on my way to starting my business.

My words to future entrepreneurs and interns:

Research, research and research. You don’t have to be an expert in your endeavors but know the basics and have a working knowledge of what you are attempting to do. Be willing to ask questions. This will help you gain valuable knowledge within the industry as well as open the door for networking. Networking is crucial and positioning yourself as a hardworking, willing to learn young professional will carry you a long way as you hone your skills and learn the ropes. Most importantly do something you are truly passionate about. Profits and money are few and far between early on and it is easy to give up if the passion is not there.

Let’s start with me introducing myself. My name is Brittney Shoulders and I am currently a 21 year old sophomore at McPherson College. My endeavor is the creation of my business, Cherry Doll, which is a retro purse company. These purses are made from automotive upholstery vinyl which comes in almost any color you can think of. There is also a metal flake vinyl, which has sparkle in it. These purses are made to be similar to classic car upholstery. They are unlike any purse you see when you walk into a store today.

The company started when Austin, my boyfriend, made me a purse as a birthday present in May 2010. I loved the fact that it was made from scratch! I received many compliments from friends, family, and even people that I didn’t know. I was proud to show it off. That September I received my second purse which matched the interior of my 1963 Thunderbird. I was ecstatic! This purse had a metal flake blue in it. This purse was definitely retro. I received even more compliments from people, and it made me realize that I needed to pursue this idea.

At that time, McPherson College had began offering the Horizon Fund, which gives students grants for good entrepreneurial ideas. I thought; hey why not go for it? So I set up an appointment with the Horizon Fund committee and pitched my idea. Any ideas on what their reaction was? Oh yes, they all loved it. I received my first grant of $450, which allowed me to purchase a part for our Consew industrial sewing machine, and a bulk of materials so I could begin making more purses.
Business started slow, and I had a hard time trying to balance my homework and trying to figure out what starting a business was all about. Boy, was I lost. I needed advice and direction. I talked to some people that have started businesses before, and did a lot of research on my down time. I found out some basic ways to get a business started, and some “what to do’s” and “what not to do’s.” Another round of the Horizon Fund came about in the Spring time, and this time I applied asking for funding to help me promote myself. I received another grant and used the money for a lot of business cards and pamphlets to hand out at car shows. Business was still slowly accelerating because I was nervous of making the wrong move.
Over summertime in 2011 I talked to a few family friends about ideas that will lead me in the right direction. When I went back to McPherson for Fall semester I had some questions for the new Director of Entrepreneurship, Kori Gregg. She has been helping me a lot with what I need to do, ideas on promotion, and people that will be able to help my business expand.

I have to say that I would not be where I am today without the help of the Horizon Fund. I would not have had an open door to walk into that turned my idea into a reality, and possibly my career. I am receiving funding, advice, and guidance in the right direction. Today, I am receiving orders at a steady flow and am averaging two purses a week. I am so excited that this dream of becoming a business owner is unfolding before my eyes, and I cannot wait to see where I will be in the future!

For any of you aspiring entrepreneurs, interns, and young professionals out there; do not hold back on your ideas.  You never know where they can take you.  Use me as an example when I say this! I went into college not having a clue what I would be doing with my life, and within three months a journey began that has changed my life.  All of that is the result of me not being afraid to share my idea.  Trust your instincts when they tell you something is good! You won’t regret it.  Be yourself and present what you have to give.  It will be a great feeling knowing you are being recognized for who you are and what you are doing so well!

The way your friends act and think plays a large factor in the way you view the world. Often, the opinions and moods of your friends weigh largely on your own viewpoints and attitudes. Therefore, you must pick friends that positively impact your life performance.

Your hectic schedule demands that you have a high level of motivation and a full supply of energy. Therefore, it is essential that you surround yourself with go-getters. When you spend time with friends who are also balancing schoolwork, an internship, and a social life, you feel more at ease. You know that those friends have the same goals and desires as you do, so you connect with them on several levels.

If your closest friends spend hours and hours watching TV everyday, then it can be easy to slip into lounge mode and stay there. Taking time to relax is OK, but you must not succumb to the peer pressure to sit around indefinitely. Take action and inject yourself into social groups filled with highly motivated people.

An easy way to make go-getter friends is to reach out to members of the clubs and organizations with which you are involved. These people have taken the initiative to become active on campus and likely display enthusiasm in all other areas of life.

Another perk to spending time with go-getters is that they are usually more knowledgeable about the events and programs in your area than other students. They are in tune with your campus and know about local concerts, comedy performances, and special exhibits. Joining a circle of go-getter friends will enhance your social life just as quickly as it does your professional life.

Finally, spending time with people who are balancing as many activities as you are is reassuring. It reminds you that everything you are juggling – job, internship, campus organization, homework – is worthwhile. You are not losing out on precious time by being so involved. Instead, you are gaining a competitive edge and becoming part of an elite crew. You are gaining the skills necessary to make an impact on the world.

Think about how empowered you feel after spending time with a group of friends or peers who challenges and inspires you. Surround yourself with those people on a daily basis, and make that feeling last. Passion is contagious. Let the enthusiasm of others spread to you and use the energy you gain to power through your day.

With the new year rolling around soon, the hunt for next semester’s internship is on. It may even be time for those of us who are seniors to consider options for a real job and, regardless, one of the first important steps along what will be a long and discovery-filled career path.

Have you been feeling like you can’t decide what field, what company and what role will be right for you in 2012? Think about this: what do you love doing?

Do you love traveling like I do, but are debating whether you can afford to take a summer off from interning? Do both; look into programs that position students in companies overseas (like Next Step Connections). Do you love eating but are debating whether you afford/ fit in culinary school? Research the business of the hospitality industry, or check out the newest up and coming food blogs, boutique marketing agencies or culinary tour companies (like Six Taste in downtown LA).

An inspiring innovator, career man and leader once said:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Steve Jobs said this, as a matter of fact, and his words to Stanford’s ’05 graduating class resonated me at the pivotal time in my personal life at which Steve passed. While we’re young, there’s no saying how long we’ll have to pursue and achieve our wildest dreams.

A dear friend reminded me yesterday that what we want to be when we grow up is oftentimes similar to what we want to be doing NOW. Why wait for the vague yet irrefutably approaching future? We should start on our goals now by talking to experienced acquaintances and mentors, or starting amateur projects in our desired fields. In addition to getting the feet wet in the pools that most appeal to us, we’ll also continue to build our leadership-resumes in impressive ways: with proactive initiatives that could impact the industries we aspire toward.

The most desired jobs and companies today are also the most competitive to pursue, and this fact – on top of the state of our economy – means that, sometimes, desperate times call for CREATIVE measures. New ideas don’t always need to come from out-of-the-box. Make sure you’ve exhausted every nook and cranny WITHIN your box of interests, skills and passions when the job search feels impossible. You might be more creative than you think.

A fellow optimist and passionista for loving-what-you-do, Mary Eve, wrote recently about ways in which we can make careers (and even a profit) out of what makes us the happiest. Check her out at BeHappyandDoWhatYouLove.

I’ve also realized, as an aspiring leader with close eyes on the management team around me, that leading new initiatives or teams of people will be the easiest when YOU’RE the most passionate about the mission. So seek out a project, a job, or a role you’ll love – especially if you want to be a leader in it.

There is plenty of negative news surrounding the America’s economic uncertain future.  One thing is certain, there will always be interns and entrepreneurs.  Both positions come with the hope, or expectation, that the days to come will be better and dreams will become realities. As we graduate college and enter the “real world” we see the importance of hope.

McPherson College fosters hope inside every student that has the opportunity to participate in their Entrepreneurship program (McPherson’s Entrepreneurship Blog).  They also have a “Horizon Fund” that gives students a $500 grant and necessary tools to pursue great ideas.  McPherson prepares the participating students for the business ownership and other professional opportunities. To begin 2012, The InternView will be featuring 4 influential students from McPherson College’s dynamite Entrepreneurship Program.  It will be a four part series and an opportunity for you to hear from the students themselves!

We’re honoring their commitment to greatness…and hope!

Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit,

Joshua E. Porter, Founder, TheInternView.com

1. Breathe – This is the first step of handling any dilemma. Take a deep breath and relax. Avoid making any decisions when you are too emotionally charged. Pull yourself away from the negative situation and return when you are ready to handle it with a clear head.
2. Maintain a positive view of those around you – Someone may be a bad roommate, coworker, or group member, but that does not mean they are a bad person. It is OK to be angered by someone’s actions or manner, but do not mistake that anger for personal hatred. Recognize the weaknesses of others, and do your best to fill in the gaps and help them grow.
3. Uncover the source of negativity – Maybe you got a bad grade. Maybe you got a less-than-perfect review from your internship coordinator. Maybe your friend ruined the shirt she borrowed. Any of these things can send you into a negative spiral. Before getting upset, pin point the exact source of distress. Then, think about all of the favorable things in your life. Do not generalize one letdown as a major life crisis.
4. Admit when you make a mistake – No one is perfect. I promise. Everyone slips up at one time or another. When it happens to you, admit it. Keeping the mistake to yourself causes you to dwell on the problem and can distract you from other projects on your agenda. If you admit to your mistakes, then you can fully let them go.
5. Surround yourself with positivity– Do you ever notice how spending time with cheerful people makes you cheerful? Spend time with your most uplifting friends and let their positivity rub off on you. Then, determine who the chronically negative people in your life are and figure out ways to separate yourself from their bad influence.
6. Make a mood board – Find images and quotes that motivate you and put them in an easily viewable location. I clip pictures and quotes from magazines and tape them on a wall by my desk. When I need inspiration for a daunting project or assignment, I simply look up.
7. Help someone else – Showing kindness to someone else is a quick way to boost your own feeing of self worth. Lending your services to another is a great way to reaffirm your value. Volunteer at a shelter, or simply help a classmate understand a concept they are having trouble grasping. Help yourself by helping others.
8. Keep a gratitude journal – Put a notebook by your bedside and use it jot down things you are thankful for whenever they pop into your head. Be grateful for family, friends, your health, your favorite food, and funny movies. You can express your thanks for anything. Open your journal at least twice a week and take time to appreciate all of the wonderful things that fill your world.
9. Listen to music – A single song can send you soaring from a world of sorrow into a place of utter happiness. Create a playlist of songs that cheer you up and listen to it whenever you catch yourself sliding down a slope of sadness.
10. Remember that things will get better – Good times don’t last forever – and neither do bad. One bad day does not set the tone for the rest of your life, or even the rest of your week. Just because something went wrong today doesn’t mean something won’t go very right tomorrow. Good things are coming your way. Keep your head up and your eyes open so you don’t miss them.

Your attitude is a major determining factor in your success. Luckily, your attitude is something you can control. When you catch yourself spiraling into a negative mood, follow these steps and find your way back to happiness. Make the choice to be positive person.

Recipes aren’t written for one serving and cooking for one is daunting. I’ve tried. After a few attempts at cutting the ingredient quantities in the proper amounts for one serving, I realized that measuring out to 3/16ths of a cup and 2/5 of a tablespoon is not worth it. Additionally, it’s kind of depressing, and a lot of work. So I stopped trying.

Just because I stopped cooking in portions for one person doesn’t mean that I eat the same thing four meals in a row. My solution: custom frozen dinners. The ones at the store are convenient—and they aren’t anything you can’t do with a few Tupperware dishes and plastic baggies. Bonus: you’ll save money, calories and lower your sodium count.

Most recipes are created for serving four people. After one eats the initial meal, most people (somewhat) enjoy one serving of leftovers, leaving you with only two extra servings of food. Divide the remainders into a Tupperware lined with a plastic bag, seal the bag, snap on the lid, and label the outside of the packaging with the name of the meal and the month you froze it. Voila! Custom frozen dinners at a fraction of the cost of a Lean Cuisine or Hungry Man meal.

A few tips for freezing foods: Get rid of as much air as possible—this is what causes freezer burn. Also, before packing up frozen packages allow the food to cool off. Don’t package hot food; let it get to room temperature first.

Soups and one-bowl meals are the best meals to freeze because they’re already a self-contained full meal. Looking for some suggestions for a guaranteed successful frozen dinner? Here’s a great list of recipes made especially for freezing!

Not sure about creating frozen dinners, but still have leftovers? Here’s a tutorial to guide you in how long leftovers are safe to eat.

Another one of my favorite freezer secrets is creating a soup pot. I keep a large Tupperware in my freezer at all times. When I’ve got a tiny amount of leftovers I know I won’t eat again I throw them in my soup pot instead of throwing it away. Once my soup pot is full, I thaw it, and simmer in my crockpot all day (adding chicken stock, fresh veggies, salt and pepper). This creates a free meal, minimizes food waste and is quite easy. Here’s a tutorial about my soup pot, also known as scrap soup.

The day after my college advisor informed me that my semi-strenuous five year stint in college would not be complete without an internship, I begrudgingly began my search on Craigslist. Within 10 minutes my eyes began glazing over with visions of harsh florescent lighting and taking coffee orders. I was about to call it a day until I stumbled upon the headline “Fundraising Coach Extraordinaire – Do you like burritos?” Wait, what? Am I dreaming? Am I being Craigslist scammed with awesomeness?

The Craigslist posting inspired me to throw away my boring, vanilla cover letter which read to the effect of “blah blah sociology major blah blah please oh please hire me” and talk about things that really mattered to me – helping people and Mortal Kombat for Super Nintendo. To my surprise and utter delight, I was brought in for an interview the following week and was subsequently “hired” as a GiveForward intern.

Becoming an intern to a small start up was a new and exciting experience. Everyone was essentially an intern – Desiree and Ethan didn’t take a salary at this point, so in a sense we were all equals. Everyone’s opinion and input were welcome on how to make our company better. We were crammed in a tiny office, and I mean tiny, learning and growing in the Chicago start-up scene. GiveForward subscribes to a “weird is good” mantra. I was encouraged to be as creative as I wanted to be, in my own way. Sending users virtual high fives and writing “Woof woof! That’s dog speak to get well soon” on pet medical donation checks was something I proudly reported back to my college advisor as projects I spearheaded. Not only did an internship help me graduate college, it helped me grow as an aspiring adult. I might not have been getting paid, but I was growing personally and professionally in leaps and bound. I became a person who was capable of taking on tasks and being proud of my work.

I was an intern at GiveForward for a year and a half before I was offered a full-time job – proving that persistence and dedication do pay off in the end.  Even in a salaried position at GiveForward, I am still challenged to take risks and be creative in my own way. My job is constantly evolving and out of the ordinary (dare I say I work for the best company ever?)  and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My internship prepared me for the real world: one that has virtual hugs, burrito eating contests, and an experience to last a lifetime.

The answer is simple: I received a second degree in internships.

My diploma may only list broadcast journalism, but the piece of paper I hand out to employers — my resume — proves otherwise.

I initially declared print journalism as my major but quickly realized I learned more in my internships at magazines and newspapers than in the classroom. I no longer felt challenged, so I changed my major to broadcast journalism to gain exposure to another facet of media and expand my skills by learning camera operations and video editing, among other visual skills.

I continued to supplant my writing skill by joining my college newspaper and working as a freelancer for a few publications. When the quality of my writing became consistent, I exposed myself to another area of media: the web.

As a web intern, I got a little taste of just about everything. My main responsibility was to serve as an editorial intern and provide online content, but I made time to volunteer in other areas. Interning in a web department is the perfect place to gain a sense of how everything works.

You’re surrounded by video producers who edit and upload video to the web (the broadcast aspect), news reporters who write multiple stories each day (the newspaper aspect) and web developers who manage the look and technical capabilities of the website. The web incorporates it all.

In my last year of school, I took an internship at an advertising agency, where I met the business side of media. I learned the process of dealing with clients and managing their accounts from planning to executing their online presence.

As I progressed from each internship and media field to another, I kept one thing in mind: “Where will the skills I learn in this internship get me?” I sought internships that introduced me to skills I would not learn in the classroom. Of the seven places I interned at only one of them was directly related to my major.

Each internship I had gave me real, hands-on experience in multiple media fields that allow me to tell potential employers that I have a variety of skills regardless of my degree in broadcast journalism.

I like to refer to my internships as a second degree, because they played a huge role in defining me as person, enriching my college career and granting me many professional opportunities today.

When applying for internships, you should always ask the interviewer two questions:

• What will my daily activities be as an intern?
• Is it possible to work/volunteer in other departments if I maintain my regular daily tasks?

If the answer to the first question is similar to work you have done in other internships, then consider finding an internship that will challenge you more. When looking for internships, you always want to make sure the internship you’re looking for is a step further than the previous one.

If you choose your internships carefully, each experience along with your major can allow you to mold your own degree that no school can offer you.