Welcome to Entrepreneur$
The Reality Show
Now you don't have to wonder any more!
Come backstage with us on the set of Entrepreneur$, The Reality show, get the real behind the scenes drama from the contestants as well as the producer.
Also, read about the important business lessons learned during the process.
Not even Donald Trump would be able to handle
the trash talking of this crowd.
To protect the innocent, code names are used…
go to RealSeriousBusiness.com to figure out who’s who.
Celebrity Golf Tournament and PPO Presentation
Contestants worked together in committees to organize a Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament. There were committees for signing up Celebrities, having Silent Auction items donated, Hospitality… Each individual contestant was to recruit a team of 4 golfers. Also, during this time the 4 managers were leading a small group of contestants that volunteered to be a part of the PPO Presentation group that would create and present a presentation about EventsLeader to potential investors. Two people were chosen to present and there was an official Presentation done in which each contestant was to bring one qualified potential investor. At the end of the evening the Final 16 contestants were announced and separated into two groups. They had one week until the golf tournament and their challenge was to find at least a $3000 sponsor for the golf tournament. Teams were judged on the number of golfers they recruited and the dollar level of sponsor they signed up.
Adopt a School
Now look what the Entreprenuers are up to. The Adopt a School initiative www.adoptaschool.us is 14 years in the making and a morphed product of the efforts put forth by those on the show "Entreprenuers" The Reality Show. It involves building a local community of stakeholders around the school/s in their zip and providing solutions and money to that particular school. Please visit www.adoptaschool.us
January 28, 2006
A planning disaster...
Disney:
Volunteer to be part of the PPO Presentation group…you think I volunteered…heck yeah I volunteered. With my current job, I had been involved with a couple PPO’s so I knew what I was doing and I knew for the most part how to deal with investors. I had my first encounter with Mr. Devious during this process, he created the PowerPoint presentation for the PPO. My first impression of him was that he was really nice and I was impressed that he created the PowerPoint on his own. We decided as a group that Robin and Rainbow would be the best presenters, I was a little appalled by Robin’s lack of preparedness, he even asked me to write what he would say at one point, I ended up just writing him some speaking points and letting him take it from there. At that point I had Robin pretty much figured out, a very likable guy and a genius recruiter, he knew how to work what he had. So anyway, Retro was talking crap about how Rainbow didn’t do a very good job and she thought she could do better. Rainbow actually ended up dropping out of the competition all together like a couple days before the actual presentation. He called me and explained the situation; I started to strongly consider stepping up to do his part in the presentation. Somehow during our conversation he mentioned that Retro did not think too highly of me. I think he was really playing the reality show game and not being a true and honest person. So anyway Retro ended up taking over Rainbow’s part in the presentation, she worked hard, pulled it off, and performed wonderfully the evening of the official presentation.
As far as golfers go, well that was no big deal, luckily I was a part of the Cary Chamber of Commerce and I knew lots of golfers, I think I ended up with like 9 or so.
In planning the golf tournament, I was on the Hospitality committee, our real work wouldn’t occur till the day of the event. I did help out the other committees and got Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister to play as one of our celebrities. Honestly throughout the whole process the golf tournament was one of the most unorganized events I’ve ever been involved in. We had 4 managers leading the way so I had to hold back and follow their lead, I learned it’s important to know when to allow others to lead and when to lead yourself. Obviously the producer wanted to see what these managers were made of and I had to let them do their thing.
These same 4 managers actually ended up picking the Final 16, I think with a little guidance from the ‘Producer’. All I knew was that I was in, now it would just be a matter of what team I ended up on. Actually it was pretty cool, because as they announced the Finalists they were separated into two teams…my name was announced last and I got to choose which team I wanted to be on. It was funny b/c when it was time to decide Wiz actually walked out from his group to grab my hand to go to his team, I just said sorry and walked the other way. Didn’t want to be mean and I like Wiz a lot but business is business and I needed a winning team. I chose the team my original teammate ‘Mole’ was on. There were others including Retro and Alopeciahope that made that team a sure bet…keep a look out to see if that was a good decision or not.
Disney’s Lesson Learned: Know when to lead and when to be led.
January 25, 2006
Frank Lloyd Wright design and marble from Italy, WOW!!
Alopeciahope - Part 2:
The night of the PPO, presenters were behind the scenes memorizing their parts. Others of us were bringing in tables, table cloths, presentation literature, sign in sheets, name badges, pens, checking in guests, greeting guests, parking cars, and driving golf carts transporting people from their cars to the magnificent site of the PPO presentation. The event was looking to be very successful.
The house where the PPO presentation was held was a dream house. It had been designed by an architect who attended the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architectural Design. He stated that the design of the house alone took two years. We were told that they weren’t sure how many square feet were actually in the house, but that the room we were all sitting in was about 2500 square feet. There were about 100 people in attendance, a large bar in the middle of the room, and comfortable seating throughout the room. It was HUGE but didn’t “feel” huge. The feeling was very warm and welcoming. The house had a Mediterranean flare with “hanging” staircases a trademark of Frank Lloyd Wright. Marble and limestone had been shipped from Italy. Three of the rooms of the house went out onto the veranda which overlooked the pool and the golf course. Outside living was definitely a part of the design of the house with a full out door kitchen and eating area all surrounding the pool. Lights twinkled that adorned the trees. Having an Italian heritage myself .. this just seemed like home. I was even able to visit the wine cellar, which was totally amazing. I don’t know what all the other rooms held, but for me that night in that house was pure magic. WHAT AN AWESOME PLACE!!
As the PPO presentation ended, a large applause was heard through out the room. The presenters did a magnificent job especially “Ms Retro”. The message had clearly been communicated in record time. Lessons were learned and items were executed. We were all very proud. NOW it was time for the announcement of the final 16. When my name was called I could feel my knees give way. I was ecstatic!! My prayers had been answered, I made it!!! The sixteen of us on stage were all so very excited to have made it this far. Yet, I could not figure out how “W” had not made it to the final 16. He had met all the qualifications and brought a great sense of humor to the team. Moments like this don’t come everyday and I chose to celebrate with my husband and the “sweet sixteen” for that evening. We were all exhausted, including my hubby (he had helped drive the golf cart transporting guests to their cars). Yet in the midst of our exhaustion I was filled with humility and excitement. I had made it this far, my husband by my side, sitting in this Italianate house, enjoying the ambiance and the friends we had made over the previous months. We soaked every minute of it up.
While thrilled that I was part of the “sweet sixteen”, I also had a sadness in me that some of my previous yellow team members did not make it this far. They were hard workers and very talented. Some were heart broken and I for them. We had bonded and made friends during these past few months. And I am forever grateful for each person I have been blessed to meet. It has been an awesome journey, but one that was just beginning.
The next event was the charity golf tournament and as the PPO evening came to an end the more the rumors flew about the tournament. Now that there were only 16 of us, those who were not chosen had an opportunity to share truth, facts, feelings and rumors.
Rumors were flying about possibly not having enough golfers to make the event happen; about having no celebrities, about the “real” golf organizer’s true abilities to organize; about having silent auction items donated; about the location for the gala and the silent auction; about the charities receiving donations; and about possible favoritism being shown.
What would the golf tournament bring? Tune in next time to find out ….. what really happened on the Reality Show!!
 The Reality Show Blog is a member of the Fun. Money. Good. Blog Network Listed below are other members of the network: |
Batman
Robin
Kiss
Alopeciahope 
The Time Saver 
Gay Guy 
Disney 
The Producer 
Wiz 
Rainbow 
Broker 
Mr. Devious 
The Mole 
