Remember the crazy business guy that taught my friend, Shane, the wrong stuff so that he would be dependent on his teacher to be successful? Well, I ran into him a couple of days ago - easy to do on a unit of 1,000 men - and he said that he would give me a shot with my business questions.
The reason I came to him in the first place was because I want to start my own graphic design business when I get out and, while I know a bit about the graphic design part, I don't know much at all when it comes to business. I hoped to get a good idea of how to actually operate my business.
Today we started on accounting and how to get the business off the ground. I can tell he doesn't have a good idea of what a cash-strapped start-up needs to do because e keeps giving advice for pricey services like a CPA and an attorney, but most is solid, like how to organize costs and revenue.
I think I will learn some essentials over our next few sessions but I also think I would learn more by watching the processes. My biggest problem is not knowing what to ask about. I'm just that oblivious. I can't wait to get out and dive into it, though. Experience is the best teacher, right?
When I get out I plan to go back to school and pursue a degree in architecture. However, that won't be until next fall. Untill then I will be working at least part-time with the non-profit I worked for prior to my incarceration and also trying to start my own design/advertising business in the Metroplex area. I should be home later this month or early next month, so I've been trying to take advantage of my time to plan out the business.
My friend, Shane, had a mentor here that taught him quite a bit about busness. I've talked to his mentor in the past and he seemed to be sharp, so I figured he would be a good resource to tap into to help me with my plans. I asked him Tuesday if he would be willing to give me some assistance, but didn't get a straight answer. He just asked me to come back the next day to talk. I've been looking for an answer each day since and didn't get one until I pressed him today and he said no. Along the way I found out some pretty sketchy things, and part of me is glad he said no.
All week he has complained that the inmates in the state prison are liars and don't follow through with what they say they will do. He says his students in the federal prison actually wanted to learn and weren't just learning to have something to do. I think part of that is because inmates in the state don't really have any responsibilities and are often looking for ways to pass time while expecting handouts.
The thing that upset me was that he said he doesn't teach correctly - on purpose. The whole time he teaches he feeds lies to his students until they get out. Then he instructs them to contact his lawyer for further instructions. He makes his students beholden to himself rather than independent. Sketchy, eh?
The reason he told me "no" was becasue I was going to be independent and he wouldn't profit from it. In defending himself he tried to use Harvard as an example. People pay huge amounts of money to go to a school like Harvard. He said he was like Harvard. However, I countered, Harvard recognizes talent and will provide scholarships for excellent students. There is such a thing as a free edcuation. It seems his only satisfaction comes from money, of which he will get none from me.
