Mentorship this month was nothing out of the ordinary. I went in to help Amy twice a week usually to help her tidy around the store and stock inventory. One thing I really enjoyed was helping her out with her window display. Every couple of weeks Amy sets up a really creative, cute window displays to go along with the season or holidays. This month she decorated the windows with dip-dyed, hanging pine cones to go along with the winter season. She tells me that the reason she takes window displays so seriously is because it is what attracts customers, and makes her business stand out from all the other boutiques in The village.
    Since presentations were this month, I asked Amy to give me any advice she had with my project. I went over my first and best answer with her, and she's agreeed with what I had come up with. My best answer is "If you get your business known through social media, then profit for the business will increase due to popularity". Amy went on to tell me that social media is what got her business booming, and it is still her primary way to connect with her customers and let them know what she has in-store. Not only did I do a great job presenting, but it paid off once I recieved my grade. I appreciate that Amy helped with my presentation, since she of course is a business owner, and she knows what has helped her. For the next month, I would like to start going in 3 times a week and have her help me process my next two answers so I can research more on certain aspects of the industry.

Presentation

1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?
I am definitely proud of how well my presentation flowed. Before I was up to present, I was extremely nervous, because I felt as soon as I went up I would forget everything I had to say. Quite the opposite happened instead. As soon as it was my turn, I was pumped and ready to inform everybody about my topic. The words rolled off my tongue, and I had little to no problem getting across what I wanted to say. 2. a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?
AE
    b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.
It is rare that I self-asses myself an AE, but for this presentation in particular I feel like I did a good job explaining why I picked my answer to my essential question. I didn't overwhelm the audience with any unneeded facts, or bore them with a monotone voice. I felt very comfortable in what I was saying, and although Business Management may not everybody's interest I think the class was engaged in what I was saying. Not only did I give good information, but I had several examples to further guarantee understanding from the audience.
3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?
As explained above, I really like that I used a ton of examples. Some of the information I had might have been a bit confusing to some, so using those examples allowed a more clear understanding. The examples I used also gave the audience insight on how social media is used not only to connect with friends, but how businesses take them as an opportunity to expand themselves. 
4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?
I felt myself speaking a little too fast in the beginning, which did slow down throughout, but if I could go back and maybe speak a little bit slower it would have felt a little less rushed. 
5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?
My second answer will most likely be, "Running a well maintained, and organized website"

Blog 12: Mentorship 10 hours check

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?
Downtown Claremont at Maple Boutique
2.   Who is your contact?
Amy, the owner of the store 
3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?
13 hours 
4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.
Mentorship for me includes setting the store up, opening new clothing packages, steaming items, running to the bank to deposit money, sending out packages at the post office, re-clothing manequins, 
inputting invoices, and occasionally attending events Amy sets at the store. 

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?
Over break I did not go to mentorship. Both my mentor and I were busy for the 2 weeks, and seeing that she was out of state to visit family for the holidays, there wasn't a way I could help or learn from her anyhow.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?
As stated in the question above, I did not get a chance to meet up with my mentor. I will be heading to her store both Thursday and Friday to hopefully assist her and I will hope to gain any knowledge she may give. I look forward to asking her more questions about the business, especially since I would like her to be my next interview. 

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

1. How did you start your business?
2. Did you do anything in college specifically to move your business along?
3. What do you think the differences are between managing a boutique and larger retail?
4. How long did it take to get everything you needed to start your business?
5. When did you notice it was becoming successful?
6. I would like to set up a small clothing website while I'm in college. What advice would you give me?
7. Is it hard to manage your personal life and the business?
8. How would you go about opening a second location?
9. If you had the chance to go to business school instead of FIDM would you?
10. Did you consult with a lawyer or accountant before opening your business?