What sparked your interest regarding starting a business?
I've always had an entrepreneurial mindset. At the early age of 14 I started my first company, Music With Meaning Records (later published as Music With Meaning Productions). I didn't have a clue what I was doing; I just knew that I wanted to develop my own team of peers to create music with meaning. It wasn't until I took "Small Business Management" with Mr. H. when I learned so much more about being a business owner and the benefits, sacrifices, and rewards that comes along with it.
Why did you choose this particular business to start?
I discovered my strong passion for the arts, specifically music at the time, when I was 12 years old, and I felt that with any start of a business it has to come from a place of passion, and that's how I ended up taking the path of entrepreneurship because I followed my passion.
How has the OPRF School of Business assisted in your decision to start and run your business?
Although I had already started my business, as stated previously, in "Small Business Management" class is where I learned so much more about being an entrepreneur. This was not just another elective for me, but it was a class that I took very seriously, and it was that class and Mr. H. who helped groom me as a better leader and entrepreneur. I learned the effective way to start and maintain a business, everything from properly developing a business plan, the importance of investments, to adequate financial record keeping. What I learned in that class was a huge reason to why the start of my current company, Superstar Dream Entertainment, was handled more professionally and efficiently.
If you could tell all the OPRF School of Business students something about being an entrepreneur, what would it be?
My piece of advice would be to first trust yourself. It is very important to understand that not everyone will understand, and that's okay. Self-confidence, motivation, and determination is key to prevailing as an entrepreneur. As a business owner it is also critical that you are prepared to fail, not just one time, but a number of times. Becoming a successful entrepreneur is a "trial and error" kind of game, and 9 years later, I'm still playing that same game. Nevertheless, the key is believing in yourself, educating as well as investing into yourself. Everyone is not going to believe from the beginning; your job is to make them a believer. Even though there will be times when you will have to work other jobs, use that as your motivation because it's only temporary. If nothing else I said stood out, I would say to remember why you started, and if the reason why you started doesn't motivate you to keep going then nothing else will.
What would you tell students who have not taken a class in the OPRF School of Business?
Entrepreneurship is honestly not for everyone, but if you're someone who plan to one day start your own business and have not taken a class in the OPRF School of Business then you are cheating yourself my friend. I wish I had the opportunity to take more business courses at the high school level because I believe I would be even more advanced and ahead of my colleagues than I am now. I would only encourage students who are serious or interested in entrepreneurship to take a class in the School of Business because it can set you up for a great start as a business owner if you take advantage of what it has to offer. I'm thankful to have been taught by Mr. H. and what's even greater is after almost 5 years out of high school, I can still reach out to him in regards to any business advice that I might seek.
What drives you to succeed?
What drives me to succeed is remembering why I first started and realizing that I am not satisfied with where I am. The feeling of having so much more left to do and so many more lives to impact through the arts is what motivates me to succeed.
What are any take-aways from your education in the OPRF School of Business that you utilize in your business?
I took away a great deal, but two of the most vital pieces of knowledge was the development of a proper business plan and money management. There are still marketing tools that I learned and utilize today. I also learned about stocks (which I've been meaning to speak with Mr. H. about as of lately) and the importance they have to a business.
What is your most memorable moment in a OPRF School of Business class?
Seems so long ago (lol) but one of my most memorable moments in class had to be our final project (I think it was our final project), but we had to create a business and present to the class a thorough business plan, in which I used my company at the time Music With Meaning Productions. That was a very challenging moment because it was my first time having to sell myself and the business. We had to pitch everything from the company's mission to how we expect to capitalize from our business. It was pretty tough, but I learned so much from it.
Where would you like to see the OPRF School of Business in 5 years?
OPRF School of Business teaches content that is taught at the collegiate level, trust me I know. I would love to see this department receive more recognition in the next five years on the state and even national level because there's not too many high schools with a department as elite as this one. This department is one of the things that separate OPRF from its counterparts. I believe that deserves high recognition.
What is your business contact info?
My company Superstar Dream Entertainment is focused on producing and exposing young talent in film, theatre, and music. I am also currently a freelance videographer and photographer in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information on company please visit www.superstardream.com. Our website is where all of the social media handles and email address can be found.
Nicole M. Acree - C.E.O.
Superstar Dream Entertainment, Co.
Chicago, IL. / Atlanta, Ga.
What is your business contact info?
Superstar Dream Entertainment
email - [email protected]
facebook - mysuperstardream
instagram - superstardream_
twitter - superstardream_
website - www.superstardream.com
I've always had an entrepreneurial mindset. At the early age of 14 I started my first company, Music With Meaning Records (later published as Music With Meaning Productions). I didn't have a clue what I was doing; I just knew that I wanted to develop my own team of peers to create music with meaning. It wasn't until I took "Small Business Management" with Mr. H. when I learned so much more about being a business owner and the benefits, sacrifices, and rewards that comes along with it.
Why did you choose this particular business to start?
I discovered my strong passion for the arts, specifically music at the time, when I was 12 years old, and I felt that with any start of a business it has to come from a place of passion, and that's how I ended up taking the path of entrepreneurship because I followed my passion.
How has the OPRF School of Business assisted in your decision to start and run your business?
Although I had already started my business, as stated previously, in "Small Business Management" class is where I learned so much more about being an entrepreneur. This was not just another elective for me, but it was a class that I took very seriously, and it was that class and Mr. H. who helped groom me as a better leader and entrepreneur. I learned the effective way to start and maintain a business, everything from properly developing a business plan, the importance of investments, to adequate financial record keeping. What I learned in that class was a huge reason to why the start of my current company, Superstar Dream Entertainment, was handled more professionally and efficiently.
If you could tell all the OPRF School of Business students something about being an entrepreneur, what would it be?
My piece of advice would be to first trust yourself. It is very important to understand that not everyone will understand, and that's okay. Self-confidence, motivation, and determination is key to prevailing as an entrepreneur. As a business owner it is also critical that you are prepared to fail, not just one time, but a number of times. Becoming a successful entrepreneur is a "trial and error" kind of game, and 9 years later, I'm still playing that same game. Nevertheless, the key is believing in yourself, educating as well as investing into yourself. Everyone is not going to believe from the beginning; your job is to make them a believer. Even though there will be times when you will have to work other jobs, use that as your motivation because it's only temporary. If nothing else I said stood out, I would say to remember why you started, and if the reason why you started doesn't motivate you to keep going then nothing else will.
What would you tell students who have not taken a class in the OPRF School of Business?
Entrepreneurship is honestly not for everyone, but if you're someone who plan to one day start your own business and have not taken a class in the OPRF School of Business then you are cheating yourself my friend. I wish I had the opportunity to take more business courses at the high school level because I believe I would be even more advanced and ahead of my colleagues than I am now. I would only encourage students who are serious or interested in entrepreneurship to take a class in the School of Business because it can set you up for a great start as a business owner if you take advantage of what it has to offer. I'm thankful to have been taught by Mr. H. and what's even greater is after almost 5 years out of high school, I can still reach out to him in regards to any business advice that I might seek.
What drives you to succeed?
What drives me to succeed is remembering why I first started and realizing that I am not satisfied with where I am. The feeling of having so much more left to do and so many more lives to impact through the arts is what motivates me to succeed.
What are any take-aways from your education in the OPRF School of Business that you utilize in your business?
I took away a great deal, but two of the most vital pieces of knowledge was the development of a proper business plan and money management. There are still marketing tools that I learned and utilize today. I also learned about stocks (which I've been meaning to speak with Mr. H. about as of lately) and the importance they have to a business.
What is your most memorable moment in a OPRF School of Business class?
Seems so long ago (lol) but one of my most memorable moments in class had to be our final project (I think it was our final project), but we had to create a business and present to the class a thorough business plan, in which I used my company at the time Music With Meaning Productions. That was a very challenging moment because it was my first time having to sell myself and the business. We had to pitch everything from the company's mission to how we expect to capitalize from our business. It was pretty tough, but I learned so much from it.
Where would you like to see the OPRF School of Business in 5 years?
OPRF School of Business teaches content that is taught at the collegiate level, trust me I know. I would love to see this department receive more recognition in the next five years on the state and even national level because there's not too many high schools with a department as elite as this one. This department is one of the things that separate OPRF from its counterparts. I believe that deserves high recognition.
What is your business contact info?
My company Superstar Dream Entertainment is focused on producing and exposing young talent in film, theatre, and music. I am also currently a freelance videographer and photographer in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information on company please visit www.superstardream.com. Our website is where all of the social media handles and email address can be found.
Nicole M. Acree - C.E.O.
Superstar Dream Entertainment, Co.
Chicago, IL. / Atlanta, Ga.
What is your business contact info?
Superstar Dream Entertainment
email - [email protected]
facebook - mysuperstardream
instagram - superstardream_
twitter - superstardream_
website - www.superstardream.com