“To be or not to be, that is the question…”
This moment in time seems a little bit, or maybe a lot like a Shakespearean play—perhaps Hamlet.
Yes, everyone has a lot of questions about how all this will turn out. We wanted you to know that as the founders of Camp BizSmart, both of us are looking forward with a high sense of optimism, zest and some measure of grit, although I guess that is for others to decide. At Camp BizSmart we say that Character, Courage and Citizenship matters—-a lot, and we couldn’t think of a better time to discover your gifts and apply those values then right now!
In this time of uncertainty, we are very heartened and encouraged to see some of the hopeful and quite innovative ways smart and courageous people are jumping in to make a difference. Many of our more than 9,000 alumni working at Apple, Intel, Salesforce, JP Morgan, Google, Tesla, and other top-notch companies are extremely involved with creating new ways of delivering health care, critical supplies, new financial tools and essential information to battle back the tide. We expect no less from a Camp BizSmart Graduate!
A lot of things happen for a reason, and profound disruption often reveals open doors to new and astoundingly creative ideas and better ways of caring for each other. We believe that today is such a time. When we founded Camp BizSmart back in 2007, the last great recession was roaring into our lives. People stared at us like we were crazy when we announced a new company to teach young people about entrepreneurship and building real world skills. That bell is ringing again in our ears, with the refrain: If you not you, who? If not now, when?
So, it’s time to strike out in a new direction. First, in the next few weeks we will launch the “BizSmart Challenge” website, an on-line portal for young people to give back, roll up their sleeves, and do something meaningful for their community and themselves. We call the first challenge; “Make a Difference Entrepreneurship.” It will be a series of very direct, brief, but robust virtual design challenges for the next generation of idea makers and world shakers to solve some of the real and practical problems confronting us now and the New Entrepreneur Economy!
Second, BizSmart is creating from scratch, a brand new, unique on-line inventor space for experienced “Teenpreneurs” who want to take their idea to the next level. We call it the “BizSmart Atelier Masterclass (BAM)” designed to give BizSmart idea makers and world shakers the chance to take their business innovations from “Garage to Global”, but in the cloud.
Using cutting edge educational technologies, virtual teams will apply Zest, Optimism and Grit with generous doses of BizSmarts like problem solving, collaborative teaming, design thinking, and investor pitching in the first-of-its-kind, on-line “Atelier”, or craftsman studio, featuring the latest tools and most experienced and talented people to inspire the next new thing. As Steve Jobs once said: “Put a Ding in the Universe”.
The United States of America is the greatest free market economy the world has ever seen. Very soon, all of you—those who make this country an inspiration to others, will come charging back to lead the most significant financial recovery this planet has ever experienced. Just imagine new ways of working, connecting and inventing. It will be a sight to see.
As for Hamlet, the rest of the quote is:
“To be or not to be, that is the question: Whether it is more noble to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles.”
We hope we have answered that question. It’s full steam ahead with more to come!
We have been inspiring young idea makers worldwide for 14 years, and very grateful for your support. Join us, as we launch new ways for idea makers and world shakers to imagine and create innovations that add value and make a difference!
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael E. Gibbs & Peggy J. Gibbs
CoFounders
Camp BizSmart
“The purpose of life is to find your gift,
The meaning of life is to give it away”