By Jean Pullen
Standing on the busy corner of 59th and 8th Street at 10 p.m., 20 leaders stood perplexed, puzzled and frustrated. New Yorkers plowed past, bumping into us and giving us the out-of-towner stare-down.
We were unsure why we were waiting or where we were going, and no one had a map. An E-Scholar asked, "Why are we waiting?" Another E-Scholar replied, "We are waiting for another group member." We stood patiently until another scholar complained, "Why can't we just go?"
When group members are irritated and stressed, you really see who the leaders and team members are. On our E-Scholars trip to the Big Apple, I was nervous about meetings falling through and getting lost on the subways.
We were forced into the real business world with cold calls, finding our meetings individually, and receiving no hand holding by professors. I saw a transformation of more confidence in not only myself but also others on the trip.
I asked a New Yorker for directions to the Downtown Comedy Club on 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street. She told me that the quickest way was to go uptown and transfer to downtown on the green line.
Two public transportation gurus, Andy and Patrick, took charge in the uptown station and asked for a map while I found a police officer and asked how to get downtown. He told us to go back to 58th Street where we started from and switch to the red line.
Two hours and three bathroom stops later, we finally found the Comedy Club and caught the last few acts. Like the rest of the week, the Comedy Club was an adventure and a good learning experience.
What I really came to New York for was advice and suggestions. I was skeptical of what people would think of my business venture, Exam Room Favorites (www.examroomfavorites.com). It is a homepage for doctors that recommends online tools and resources for their different specialties.
After meeting with the principal of Olive Communications, a research analyst, and a senior executive at KPMG, I was given encouragement, advice and constructive criticism on my Web site.
"You have a good concept, but the Web site interface and layout need to be tweaked," John Yarsui, principal of Olive, said. I learned about how to maximize revenue on a Web site through banner ads, partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and an affiliate network.
"Networking is the key to business because it provides relationships to really make your business grow and succeed," Philip Cooke, Senior Executive at KPMG and a UP alumnus said. He told me the best place to network in Portland is the Bridgeport Brewery.
Phil Johnston, a UP alumnus/former E-Scholar, who is a research analyst at Gersh Venture Partners, really stretched my vision by asking why I am not charging for my service.
"Doctors are affluent and can afford to pay for a service that is going to make their lives easier," Johnston said. He also recommended that I go to Vietnam for my international trip with E-Scholars because in Vietnam the only way to make a living is to be an entrepreneur. The market in Vietnam is rapidly growing and there are many business opportunities there.
I learned a lot from my trip to New York. With each experience I gained confidence and bonded with the people who were there. It expanded my vision for my business, and I learned more about marketing and networking.
Although my business plan seems like it is constantly changing and never ending, I hope to bring my product to market within the next two months. Accomplishing this will be a personal challenge. I don't want to give up any of these loves: school, business, yearbook, service or soccer. Life is too short, and college goes by too fast not to do it all.
Jean Pullen is a junior accounting and finance major
