On the following pages we have identified a great number of cool schools, programs, districts, incubators, higher ed institutions, and for profits and non-profits that are stretching the envelope (at least a bit) in either what they offer or how they have designed themselves to offer something that benefits individuals and their communities.
This is a select group in that we have identified them as offering an "image of possibility" for how one could make an impact in the world – small or large.
As one begins to think about how they could make a difference, it is often to "feed your imagination" by seeing how others have creatively identified and pursued an endeavor that makes a difference in a way not seen or known before. These are creators. In reviewing what these ventures are, see how they might spark your own imagination around what YOU could do to make a difference. Sometimes this means taking bits and pieces of ideas you see from across different programs or ideas, and then "mashing" them together in some way and out of that create your OWN venture. For example, we would like to take IowaBig and BVCAPS and mash them together into a program in any urban area that could be tapped and used by any private or public school student for 1/2 a year or more, for 1/2 a day or more creating an opportunity for them to explore what kinds of work exists in one's community (just as IowaBig gives students in Cedar Rapids that opportunity) and then, when ready, zoom into a particular professional-field (just as BVCAPS is able to do).
Apart from the IDEAS, which are neat in and of themselves, the most important takeaway from any of this is to identify people who have made these ideas into a reality, and then get in touch with them and ask: How did you do that! As this is ultimately the most important thing We want you to think about in this class, is how YOU can make something HAPPEN. And there are ultimately insights, tips, and tricks to making any of these ideas actually get off the ground!
Easy? No? Worthwhile? Yes! Any of the individuals behind these ventures will tell you it was hard. And that at times it might have felt impossible. But they persisted. And they figured it out, as they went! Oftentimes building the airplane as they flew it, as some say.
Almost in every single case, people see a very successful endeavor and they think to themselves, well that is just a really good idea that some genius came up with and it was a no-brainer to get off the ground. They look at successful enterprises such as Starbucks, Amazon, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, etc. and the basis of their evident success is in the idea, and then when thinking about pursuing an endeavor themselves, they think "no way" would I be able to come up with such a great idea that would become so big. BUT, and this is an important but, people forget to realize that EACH ONE OF THESE ENDEAVORS also started in the very same fashion. As we say, Starbucks, McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts, etc. didn't all start with 1,000 stores! And Amazon didn't start selling everything under the sun. Starbucks started with a single, little shop in Pike Place (Seattle). Dunkin' Donuts the same in Weymouth (MA). McDonalds (NH). Amazon, just selling books. Again and again, people just assume it was easy. Great idea, just start, the rest is history. But that is NOT the case. Like Ms. Fields cookies, it starts in the kitchen! And those starting these ventures worked hard, most likely faced numerous challenges and obstacles themselves, and simply figured out a way and persisted. THAT's what it takes!
And many started small. In fact, there really is no other way to start! Sal Khan (Khan Academy) simply started making tutorial videos for his nieces to help them with their homework in Atlanta (they had moved from Cambridge, where he was). But the YouTube videos caught on! And, with this, he saw an opportunity. Starbucks started with a single store. Apple started in a garage. Folk simply TRIED doing something. And that is the most important thing: to simply TRY doing something. And then in trying, probe, prod, poke, and redesign, redesign, and iterate and persist until there is TRACTION.
Finally, RARELY do any of these endeavors happen without partners – friends, collaborators, and allies. You need other people to help you THINK about the idea. Make it better. Give you ideas. Push YOU to think about the idea. Push you for clarity. And then you certainly you need others to help you get it off the ground. It's almost impossible to do it alone. You most likely don't have all the talent, skills, or interest in different dimensions of the "lift off" to actually help it take flight. Sales, marketing, project management, financial support, technical know how, and sometimes political and social acumen will make the difference. And, for all of these reasons, it is hard to imagine to getting something fully off the ground without the help of YOUR team!
As you review these endeavors, think: How cool is that! And then, hmmmm, I wonder how that got off the ground. One, we know someone has had to have SEEN the need. SEEN a possible solution. And then figured out the rest – how to pursue, with the help of friends and allies.
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