For an entire semester we have discussed the state of media, what the future looks like, and how an idea can be turned into a money-making reality. The underlying theme throughout it all has been the importance of creativity. We learn to be creative at a young age, but only some are encouraged to have… Continue reading Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators: Q & A with Kendall Kotcher

For more than 12 weeks I have been consumed by the idea of entrepreneurship. I have heard success stories from people like Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, and Joe Gebbia, the co-founder of Airbnb. I learned about problem solving, and idea formation, and the art of an intriguing pitch. For more than 12 weeks,… Continue reading One day, I’ll solve your biggest problem

Social media marketing is just like boxing, or so says social guru Gary Vaynerchuk. Money doesn’t grow on trees. As the founder of a startup, you are begging people to have enough faith in you that they are willing to invest. Living on a tight budget in college, eating ramen and off-brand crackers, doesn’t even… Continue reading Social Marketing: Put up your dukes or throw in the towel

Everyone thinks journalists are scared of numbers, and business people can’t communicate to save their lives. To an extent, these stereotypes aren’t completely groundless. But the line between the two worlds, that everyone thinks is carved in stone, is really only drawn in the sand. In coming to Michigan State University, I was completely undecided… Continue reading The Line Between Media and Business is Blurry

A few weeks ago I was listening to Alex Blumberg botch his first-ever pitch to an investor to get funding for his podcast startup. Now am I listening to him talk about selling that startup, also known as Gimlet Media, for $237 million. What a turn around. In my last blog I detailed some of… Continue reading What goes around comes around (for $237 million)

Startups require a lot more than just a good idea. If I have learned anything thus far, it is that even the best ideas can fail if the entrepreneur behind them doesn’t have the passion and skills to see them through to success. Not everyone has the drive to be an entrepreneur… or the guts,… Continue reading It can only go up from here

No one goes into journalism for job security. No reporter has ever told me that they never once feared for their future in the industry. We don’t studying journalism to have an easy path upon graduation. We study it because of passion. The news of the layoffs at Gannett and Buzzfeed has sparked a lot… Continue reading Owning a keyboard doesn’t make you a journalist

So many people sit back and judge the innovations that hit the market. Whether it be insisting that the internet was just a fad, or denying that an iPhone was actually worth the money, consumers jump at any opportunity to turn their nose up at what could be the next big thing. Not only do… Continue reading Not trying means learning nothing

I have never dreamt of being the next Steve Jobs… or Bill Gates… or Mark Zuckerberg. My childhood goals never centered around starting my own company, and I never planned on pursuing that career path. I never thought that I would build a company as powerful as each of theirs. I have come to realize,… Continue reading Putting ‘Start’ in Startup