I started reading this book over the weekend. I enjoyed chapter one so much that I read it to Clark last night. I got up this morning and found this blog (from the author, Tina Seelig) and have now added it to my MUST READ list.
Tina is the executive director of the STVP (Stanford Technology Ventures Program) located in the School of Engineering at Stanford University. From chapter one, STVP strives to create "T-shaped people" or someone that has a depth of knowledge in at least one discipline and a breadth of knowledge about innovation and entreprenuership that allows them to work effectively with professionals in other disciplines to bring their ideas to life.
Many of the ideas presented in Tina's book are "the polar opposite of the lessons we are taught in a traditional education system. In fact, the rules that apply in school are often completely different from those in the outside world. This disparity causes incredible stress when we leave school and attempt to find our way." OK ... as a mother of four boys whom I would like to see grow into healthy creative human beings poised to contributed to society in meaningful ways, I NEED to internalize and be able to teach the tools and mind sets that Tina and Stanford share with their top engineering students.
AND ... all of this really does have something to do with scrapbooking. When I invite instructors to be a part of our 4Experts series, I am looking for "T-shaped people" (I just didn't know it) I am looking for people that have an expertise in at least one particular area and yet also have a strong sense of what I call "the big picture" which is an ability to think broadly about instructing and influencing. I am looking for people that have experienced personal innovation and are eager to teach beyond "projects" into "process"
Jenni Bowlin is a T-shaped person with expertise in finding and translating inspiration. She is constantly evolving and learning and growing. I have watched her develop her brand message and do very different and remarkable things in this industry. IN FACT, Jenni just launched the latest iteration of her retail business. You can check it out at JBS Mercantile. In my book, Jenni is one to watch and I am incredibly excited to be giving away a pass to her Re-purpose, Re-think, Re-invent workshop that starts this THURSDAY, July 2nd.
Jenni's opening note to her students speaks of her anticipation at the opening of a flea market -- where the hope of discovering something new and rare causes your heart to race with excitement. This is how Jenni (and all of us BPS) hope students feel as they log into her classroom for the first time. In my opinion, Jenni has so much to share about finding and using inspiration in personal ways. She is a master at adding value to the past and leaving a mark of remembrance on the present. I have always loved her style and the way her work is simplistic without being predictable.
The key to happiness -- at least in scrapbooking is found in your ability to open yourself up to new ideas and new possibilities, to have confidence in your personal style but at the same time decide that you are NEVER going to stop trying new things.
JENNI says: In many ways, this class has been years in the making for
me. It has taken that long to recognize what precisely
inspires me, to identify resources, and to come to a place
where my job and lifestyle centers around my passion.
To have the opportunity to share what I have learned is so thrilling ... AND we are thrilled to have Jenni teaching.
To enter the randon drawing for a FREE pass to Jenni's summer-long adventure, leave a comment with something you like to learn from Jenni. I'll post the winner tomorrow at noon, so those who do not win, will have plenty of time to sign up on their own!!
