Week 9

Week 9

Week in Review

Monday February 25, 2019

PEP has been really great so far! We just got through learning about the Economics of One Unit, which is preparing us for the financial portion of the business plan. Brian T., our business teacher, always says that “cash is king.”

Today, we also had Toastmasters, which is our public speaking class. It is really exciting to see how much all of the PEP brothers have improved their public speaking skills. The speeches have been on a variety of subjects, such as amino acids, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and Servant-Leader Mentality. Day by day, we are growing into the men we envisioned. 

Simon H. (a.k.a. “Road Runner”)

Tuesday February 26, 2019

Some of us were scheduled to attend computer lab this morning, where we went over a practice worksheet on the Economics of One Unit. We also did a review on Chapter 6, entitled “Establishing a Financial Foundation.” This will help prepare us for the test that we will be taking the tomorrow.

In our entrepreneurship textbook, the main focus of the chapter we are currently studying is on analyzing cash flow. As upcoming entrepreneurs, we understand that in order to have a successful business, we need to focus on generating a positive cash flow as quickly as possible. We are learning about cash flow statements, loans, lines of credit, infusions of equity capital and much more. We are also learning that in order to properly manage a business, we must know our current liabilities as well as long-term liabilities.

Yul  H. (a.k.a. “Will Smith”)

Wednesday February 27, 2019

We, the class of Spring ’19, were very enthusiastic as we made our way into the classroom today. We were well-prepared for the Chapter 6 entrepreneurship test. There was a roar of confidence that flowed through the room when the peer educators announced that it was test time. The moments before the test, we spoke words of encouragement to one another. There was an audible sigh of relief once the test was over, and then we moved right into the second session of class with Mr. Tim H.

We went over the EOU templates that will be inserted into our business plans. We asked a lot of questions, utilizing every moment we had with Tim H. Today, we lived up to one of the 10 Driving Values, “Wise Stewardship,” forever cementing our place within the PEP culture as Conquerors of Spring ’19!

Anthony H. (a.k.a. “Mr. Potato Head”)

Thursday February 28, 2019

Today, we reviewed our notes from Tim H.’s lecture. Tim H., CFO of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, taught us about how to structure the financial side of our business plans. He taught us how to properly calculate our start-up costs so that our budget is done right. It is a daunting task, but it feels good to be able to estimate the costs it will take to run our businesses.

A lot of thought has to go into how we spend our initial investments so that we remain properly funded through the initial phase of operation. In our business plans, we are able to predict where we are spending the most money and what percentage is necessary for marketing. From an investor’s standpoint, this information is crucial in explaining what their dollars are going toward, how much they stand to gain and how quickly they can expect a return on their investment. This is the most important part of our business plan, and we are happy to be learning from the very person in charge of controlling the funding of our whole organization.

Ishmel R. (a.k.a. “Yellow Bizzy”)

Friday March 1, 2019

Today we went to our Living in The Village class. We went over Chapters 8-10 in preparation for our test, scheduled for next Friday. There is also a good chance that we might have a pop quiz over Chapters 11 and 12.

After Living in The Village, we participated in pray-outs for three of our brothers. Those brothers were Gregg C., Quintin C. and a “ghost pray-out” – because he was moved off the Unit before we could pray him out – for Major D. It is always an amazing experience to celebrate our fellow brothers going home.

Some of my brothers and I attended the weekly book club meeting. We finally finished the book entitled Crime and Punishment. It was good to be a part of a group of people who have a desire to broaden their literary understanding and share their ideas with one another.

Angel G. (a.k.a. “Pepe Le Pew”)

Expressions

“Love without a standard is not love at all. It’s just brokenness trying to find a home.”

~Unknown

Many people associate love with a rose. Love is not a rose! A rose withers and dies in harsh conditions, such as winter. I say that love is the root system. Roots take hold and stand firm. They survive the harshest of winters safely beneath the soil’s surface. It is only through the tenacity of the root system that a fresh new rose sprouts and blooms each year. So please remember that when we do face winters – and all of us will – that far beneath the bitter snow lies the capability that, with the Son’s love, in the spring becomes a rose. Let Him be the standard by which we love ourselves and others.

James R. (a.k.a. “Biscuit and Jelly”)