My Road To Success
NFTE Experience!
I would like to start off by thanking NFTE for an amazing entrepreneurial experience throughout the years. I had the opportunity to develop my very own business "LD Designs" developing websites, with the help of North Miami Beach Teachers Ms. Davenport and Mr. Ray Parris. They helped me understand how to take my goals and turn them into a business. I have received help from mentors and the NFTE program support team daily.
I was able to work on my business idea in the 11th grade in my graphic design class. The skills I obtained in the NFTE program helped me develop knowledge, confidence, awareness to feel comfortable about my future and developing my business. Towards the end of the school year I was able to finally complete my business plan and participate in my class business plan competition. After competing against 35 students within my class, I was then chosen with 12 other students to compete in the school finals. The school business plan finals were a nerve racking experience, needless to say I didn't win first place.
After losing the competition to a fellow student who had a similar business, I knew it was time for me to reevaluate my business. I then started implementing my NFTE skills, reviewing my Market Research, Economics of One Unit, Start Up Cost, etc. Everything began to become clear with my business. I felt confident to move forward and conquer my dreams as a business owner within the web design field.
During my 12th Grade year I had the opportunity to participate within the NFTE E-Club program (Entrepreneurship Club). The E-Club helped me understand how to launch my business, and prepare my company for the real world. I learned how to market my company, define the proper corporate structure, obtain a business license, and much more! The best part was when NFTE gave me a $500 Visa Gift card to purchase some business supplies. I was able to get new parts for my computer, business cards, and a few other items to help begin my journey.
I now understand what Chris Brignolle, NFTE Program Director meant when he said "NFTE will be a part of you forever”. Almost three years later the NFTE Alumni network continues to support my dreams and future plans. I have been a guest speaker several times, a junior mentor to other students, participated in workshops, and received an amazing opportunity to meet Richard Branson and his amazing team. Thank You NFTE!
Virgin America & Virgin Unite Experience
I received a call from Chris Brignolle, NFTE Program Director telling me about the upcoming Virgin America & Virgin Unite possibility. I then rapidly started doing my research on Richard Branson. The materials I came across truly blew me away, it actually became a little overwhelming knowing I was about to meet a man that started over 300 plus businesses.
Then the big day arrived, when I received the amazing opportunity to experience the Virgin America grand opening in Ft. Lauderdale, with three other students. As we waited in the VIP area, I was amazed by all the fast paced movement while everyone worked hard to get things ready for the big day. Suddenly I saw Mr. Branson walking towards me looking totally relaxed and ready to launch a new component to his empire. I was totally speechless; he came and introduced himself to the four NFTE Alumni members. I said to myself, “This is going to be the best day ever!"
We all began an interview with CNN. They talked about Richard Branson’s philanthropic ventures and asked all the students about our entrepreneurial experiences. After the interview, Richard Branson spoke with each student individually, and then he gave us a personal tour of a Virgin plane. During the tour, Richard suddenly asked, "Who has been on a plane before?" Everyone replied yes, except me. Richard then told me that I was lucky. Since I had never flown on a plane, he offered me a ticket to fly anywhere I wanted to go. After thinking hard, there was only one place I would want to go, that was San Francisco to work with the Virgin America team.
Virgin America and Virgin Unite have given me the opportunity to visit their corporate office in San Francisco, May 2-9, 2010. Now that I am here, I'm truly grateful for this opportunity, and would like to thank a few individuals I now consider a friend, mentor and family.
Thank you to the following, Ray Parris, Chris Brignolle, Alice Horn, Richard Branson, Darin Spurgeon, Jennifer Larson, North Miami Beach Senior Family, NFTE Team, Virgin America and Virgin Unite.
I would like to start off by thanking NFTE for an amazing entrepreneurial experience throughout the years. I had the opportunity to develop my very own business "LD Designs" developing websites, with the help of North Miami Beach Teachers Ms. Davenport and Mr. Ray Parris. They helped me understand how to take my goals and turn them into a business. I have received help from mentors and the NFTE program support team daily.
I was able to work on my business idea in the 11th grade in my graphic design class. The skills I obtained in the NFTE program helped me develop knowledge, confidence, awareness to feel comfortable about my future and developing my business. Towards the end of the school year I was able to finally complete my business plan and participate in my class business plan competition. After competing against 35 students within my class, I was then chosen with 12 other students to compete in the school finals. The school business plan finals were a nerve racking experience, needless to say I didn't win first place.
After losing the competition to a fellow student who had a similar business, I knew it was time for me to reevaluate my business. I then started implementing my NFTE skills, reviewing my Market Research, Economics of One Unit, Start Up Cost, etc. Everything began to become clear with my business. I felt confident to move forward and conquer my dreams as a business owner within the web design field.
During my 12th Grade year I had the opportunity to participate within the NFTE E-Club program (Entrepreneurship Club). The E-Club helped me understand how to launch my business, and prepare my company for the real world. I learned how to market my company, define the proper corporate structure, obtain a business license, and much more! The best part was when NFTE gave me a $500 Visa Gift card to purchase some business supplies. I was able to get new parts for my computer, business cards, and a few other items to help begin my journey.
I now understand what Chris Brignolle, NFTE Program Director meant when he said "NFTE will be a part of you forever”. Almost three years later the NFTE Alumni network continues to support my dreams and future plans. I have been a guest speaker several times, a junior mentor to other students, participated in workshops, and received an amazing opportunity to meet Richard Branson and his amazing team. Thank You NFTE!
Virgin America & Virgin Unite Experience
I received a call from Chris Brignolle, NFTE Program Director telling me about the upcoming Virgin America & Virgin Unite possibility. I then rapidly started doing my research on Richard Branson. The materials I came across truly blew me away, it actually became a little overwhelming knowing I was about to meet a man that started over 300 plus businesses.
Then the big day arrived, when I received the amazing opportunity to experience the Virgin America grand opening in Ft. Lauderdale, with three other students. As we waited in the VIP area, I was amazed by all the fast paced movement while everyone worked hard to get things ready for the big day. Suddenly I saw Mr. Branson walking towards me looking totally relaxed and ready to launch a new component to his empire. I was totally speechless; he came and introduced himself to the four NFTE Alumni members. I said to myself, “This is going to be the best day ever!"
We all began an interview with CNN. They talked about Richard Branson’s philanthropic ventures and asked all the students about our entrepreneurial experiences. After the interview, Richard Branson spoke with each student individually, and then he gave us a personal tour of a Virgin plane. During the tour, Richard suddenly asked, "Who has been on a plane before?" Everyone replied yes, except me. Richard then told me that I was lucky. Since I had never flown on a plane, he offered me a ticket to fly anywhere I wanted to go. After thinking hard, there was only one place I would want to go, that was San Francisco to work with the Virgin America team.
Virgin America and Virgin Unite have given me the opportunity to visit their corporate office in San Francisco, May 2-9, 2010. Now that I am here, I'm truly grateful for this opportunity, and would like to thank a few individuals I now consider a friend, mentor and family.
Thank you to the following, Ray Parris, Chris Brignolle, Alice Horn, Richard Branson, Darin Spurgeon, Jennifer Larson, North Miami Beach Senior Family, NFTE Team, Virgin America and Virgin Unite.
