Courage to Face the Unknown (Year 2, Week 27)

In times you are struggling with a goal in the studio, what motivates you to keep going?

• “I tell myself if other people have done it, I can do it too.”
• “This is something I want to do I want to complete this get through and do this. I really put my mind to it and keep on trying. I will get it.”
• “I think it’s being motivated and not being in a low freedom level”
• “I agree with freedom level, also I’m doing it for the individual goals”

The heroes had a lot to get motivated about this week as they finalized and presented their product pitches to a panel of entrepreneurs, competed in a talent show, and took on new challenges in the studio.

Talent Show

After leading a Town Hall meeting discussion earlier this session, Betsy pitched a Talent Show, which passed. Since the weekly schedule falls under a “guide responsibility,” she then had to pitch it to a guide. After some questions about how it would help on their hero’s journey and how the would do it with excellence, her pitch was approved!

She created a sign-up sheet, made the announcement, and encouraged heroes to show off their talents in the show including dance routines, gymnastics and one comedy skit that was both entertaining and taught the heroes a few new skills like how to twirl a baton and put on a shirt (feet first). The event was a lot of fun and well executed.

Passion

Thursday’s discussion started with this interesting story of John Audubon:

John Audubon was a Frontiersman in the 1800s who had a passion for birds. He spent all his time studying, cataloging, painting and hunting them. He did this to such an extreme that he ended up over $50,000 in debt and was sent to jail; leaving his wife and children without a provider. At the time, his paintings were considered worthless but today they are considered priceless works of art.

Was it more lazy and selfish or more admirable that he pursued something he felt was important as he went into debt?

Here are a couple of their points:

“I think that he was kind of lazy because he could have been out helping his family and getting money. I feel it’s reasonable he gets to hunt birds and paint them but not spend all his time doing it.”

“I disagree, he painted because he was interested in birds. He was curious and wanted to know. No, he’s not lazy.”

“I feel like he was getting behind and didn’t really do much about it. I feel drawing wasn’t necessarily lazy but he was ignoring his work to do it.”

“He did do work, but he didn’t do the right kind of work. Just like Soaring, if you get into Soaring you get to code but you have to do other work too. He wasn’t contributing, all he was doing was painting. If you are ignoring your wife and kids and don’t have any money, that’s lazy.”

“I don’t think he was lazy, if he was lazy he would be sitting and drawing all the time but he was going out looking, hunting and studying about birds.

“Selfish, that was really selfish of him to do that to his family.”

“I agree. How would you feel if your dad quit his job and went looking for birds, hunting birds, never did anything to contribute to your family and your family went bankrupt? He’s selfish.”

This discussion was high energy as the heroes discussed their views. Many circled back to the idea of being in Soaring, and how you can work on your passions, but you have to always maintain a baseline amount of responsibility.

Investor Pitch

After working on their product idea and investor pitches for the last 3 weeks, the heroes presented their pitches to potential investors this week.

The first to present were Tyson and Royce with the Slingshot Master:

Tyson and Royce asked for $150 to create 8 Slingshot Master’s, which they plan to sell for $45 each. They plan to sell the product to children and college students.

After discussing their business plans, the investors agreed that this was an interesting idea; but $150 was a big investment. They agreed to offer a total of $40 with a $50 return for the team to create two more slingshots to sell at the business fair.

Kai’s Strawberries:

Kai chose to sell his own product as part of AHF games and snacks; strawberries and chocolate covered strawberries.

Kai asked for $35 to purchase strawberries, chocolate and cups to sell the strawberries in. He planned to sell the strawberries for 50 cents/cup with 5 strawberries per cup, but after a few questions realized came to the understanding that he would lose money on each sale.

The investors told him “If you can come back with a way to be profitable we will take a chance on you.” After considering their advice, Kai repitched his business and priced the strawberries as $2/cup. The investors agreed to loan him $35 to purchase his materials with the agreement he would pay $45 back to them.

Tyler, Jack and Canyon 5 GP Fruit Punch:

Tyler, Jack and Canyon asked for $125 to set up a fruit punch and water stand. They plan to sell 8 oz. cups of fruit punch for $1.75 and 8 oz. cups of water for $.50. After talking through product costs with the investors, they lowered their requested funding to $60 with the agreement that the investors would receive 25% of their profits.

Lily and Alexa’s Sweet Treats:

Lily and Alexa presented their idea to sell smoothies, cake pops, lemonade and Rice Crispy Treats. They asked for $35 to buy the supplies they didn’t already have to make cake pops and smoothies. The investors agreed to lend them $35 with a $50 return on their investment.

Zane, Paxton and Caden’s Origami Kids:

Zane, Paxton and Caden chose to sell paper and cardboard sculptures, origami and jewelry. These three heroes did not ask for money, instead they asked the entrepreneur investors for business advice.

• “I would probably make 3–4 things you might want to sell and take them to your friends and ask them which they think are the coolest.”
• “Look at your products and find out what people are willing to pay for it, find a little bit more about what people like.”
• “It only takes one person to make a sale if you want to make more profit you could offer origami classes. Have a little section on the side of the booth where you teach them how to make it themselves.”

Betsy and Olivia AHF Games and Drinks:

Betsy, Olivia and Garrett decided they will be selling snow cones, cotton candy, treats, drinks and cardboard arcade games at the Children’s Business Fair. They were the second business to ask for feedback in place of cash. The investors advised:

• “Go figure out how much it costs you to make these things so you don’t lose money. Imagine you are a customer walking around the village and you want cotton candy. Imagine yourself asking your mom or dad for the money for these things and think about what they would say.”
• “I think that you are more likely able to raise the price of cotton candy and snow cones instead of soda because there are more people selling soda.”

After presenting their pitches, the heroes came together on the rug to reflect. There was high energy as the heroes had done something hard and many felt they had reached a major milestone in their business. Though not everyone got what they originally asked for, the heroes agreed that they were excited to apply the funding and advice they received to their new businesses. The Children’s Business Fair is only a few weeks away, so there is still much work to do.

Friday Fun Day

Betsy presented two more Friday Fun Day activities this week: Chinese Drums or Chalk Murals. The heroes chose to go outside and create chalk murals.

Wrap-up

This week, a hero who often struggles to stand up for herself approached the guides and shared:

“Someone has been playing with me but has been hurting my feelings. They are just playing, but I don’t like it. Today, I stood up for myself and held them accountable, and I feel good about it. I think I did something really good, standing up for myself.”

On a hero’s journey, the hero must embark on a meaningful adventure, full of challenge and struggle. When taken with courage and determination, the hero has the opportunity to overcome and transform. This young hero faced a challenge, courageously faced, and transformed. It’s these moments of transformation that are the building blocks of character, and ultimately to destiny. No doubt this young hero, and her fellow travelers have incredible things in store for them.