A2Z Dreamz

What an exciting time we had this past Saturday at Rockford College! We kicked off the morning with our Dream Workshop Series (DRE Workshops) as part of their Leadership ELITE (Enthusiastic Leaders Inspiring Through Excellence) Conference. ELITE is Rockford College’s newest leadership program, providing the opportunity for students to develop and cultivate solid leadership skills that will benefit them throughout your college years and beyond. We couldn't think of a better fit for the DREAM Workshop than at a conference where students are just beginning their journey into the future.

From the beginning of the day getting to know the students, right up until the end they had me on my toes - and always guessing what creative, imaginative, entrepreneurial comments and ideas they would present next! From the personality tests and learning to recognize common leadership traits (Discovering Passions Workshop) to playing blackjack and learning to take risks (Realize Workshop), the students were engaged and very outspoken making the workshop so much fun to teach! 

This was the first time we were able to present the Entrepreneurship Workshop along with the other two - Discover & Realize - and all I can say is WOW!

The ideas that they presented for their "House of Cards" (represents their businesses) were some of the most creative I have seen yet.  They even came up with names as follows:

1. Imagination Nation - each member of the team built their own house, creating the first Dream Workshop town. They decorated with the M&Ms handed out as prizes to give it the true "Willy Wonka" creative aspect.

2. Bow Wows "Dog Whisperers" - the company that handles dog training and beyond.

3. The Drink Company - flower based card architecture with a "cup" to top it off where their "head honcho" CEO works. This company believes in customer service and puts their "heart" into it.

4. Sky is the Limit Graphic Design - house of cards with skycraper design as they saw themselves working in downtown Chicago.

The 'House of Cards" exercise gave them an opportunity to work with others, building their business or network out of the most valuable resource - People (cards).  The additional tools that they found throughout the room such as tape, staples, clips would represent the grants, loans, and additional resources that they may need to start the business. When asked, "How many times did your house of cards fall?" it was refreshing to hear that they all found the same message, the better your team works together and the more people you surround yourself with, the more you are able to continue building "your business" without letting it fall. All of them concluded that their houses never fell.

We'll be posting pictures and videos shortly - check them out, as well as adding more of the students recaps to our testimonials page.  We can't wait to get back to Rockford again, we already have heard success stories from the students whose lives have changed since participating in the workshop this past spring and have faith that this past weekend has done the same!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this a great event - especially Lindsay Kent, Director of Student Activites - you are truly an example of someone who is passionate about what she does and is "living the D.R.E.A.M."

Sincerely,

Angela

 Workshop attendees:  Click here to take survey