Graduation Slideshow

Here's a slideshow from my graduation! Can you spot the number of times I'm in it?

Thanks to the photographer Ed :)

Industry Trend Or Not...I graduate!

Can you believe it?! I still cannot. In two days I graduate with my Master of Science degree in Entertainment Business! A year has already gone by and everyone is commenting “didn’t you just start yesterday?” The fact that I was adamant about not going back to school after my Bachelors, it’s crazy that I’m here. I would like to thank Professor Evans who changed my mind back in my undergrad, who stressed and kind of forced her class to continue their education. Even though I took a year break from then, one of my goals was to obtain my next degree before the age of 25. Praise the Lord it has been achieved!

Now that I will be looking for employment, the things that I will have to look at is how trends are affecting the industry I want. I would love to work in live special events, such as launch parties, award shows, fashion shows, and the likes. According to an article about the evolution of the industry, Elle Magazine executive director said, “Each year it gets harder to impress people. The audience is much more knowledgeable, and you really want to stand out and keep them wanting more,” and “You have to overdeliver.”

The biggest trend is brand marketing, which is huge in this industry. Many companies use events as part of their marketing campaign. Hopefully I can take advantage of this. I took a digital marketing class and I think I am someone with crazy ideas already so it might work out. Another interesting trend is making Special Events smaller. Most of us are used to the big spectacles but it seems that lately the idea is “To focus not on quantity, but, rather, quality, and create a more personal experience for guests.” The intimacy factor makes patrons a part of the experience. This is refreshing actually because producers will not necessarily have to worry about the numbers as a measure of how successful an event was.

What’s the Alternative?

For many people, the nation’s economy is still greatly affecting them. And for those who have a deep desire to start a business but don’t have the funds, where can they look for that? Credit interest rates are high, loan rates are high, investors want a lot of equity, and there is so much risk out there. Luckily, there are some alternative ways to receive funding. Alternative funding can be compared to a cash advance essentially. The Corporation for Enterprise Development (cfed.org) helps low and middle-income households get to programs that will help them get to a path of financial security. The opportunities made available through CFED are access to the resources that will help you build your assets. It’s policy agenda focuses on financial assets and income, businesses and jobs, housing and homeownership, education, and health care.

Another company that helps create opportunities for entrepreneurs is the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (microenteroriseworks.org or aeoworks.org). Through them you are able to find a mentor and network with other small business owners. There’s been a trend recently that you may have heard of, Small Business Saturday, which is essentially about shopping at your local small business to contribute to the economic growth of the nation. AEO basically functions as such by promoting this interaction between owners. It has a green initiative to help the environment as well as save on costs for small businesses.

Both websites of these Alternative Funding Organizations have links to all the initiatives, policies, and programs that they are offering or making users aware of as a resource. Most requirements are that you must be within an income range to obtain help from these organizations. These sites have the links to the sites where you would apply so the requirements of those specifically may vary. However, I recommend both as a good central point to help you financially. They provide a huge network, which just like in entertainment, you need!