#XQAmerica: Future School #RethinksHighschool

        Fort Smith Future School has students, parents and business owners excited and engaged as our community rethinks high school. It's a concept that has created a sizable media stir. A high school designed by students...for students? What does that look like? 

      It begins with community participation - from students, parents, neighbors and business people. When you go to one of the Thursday night Create-a-thon meetings, you'll see a community of adults and students enthusiastically engaged in designing a school that provides students with an opportunity to learn in an environment that fosters real learning.         

       Future School doesn't look like my high school...and probably not yours. It takes

shape as students identify interests, as parents cut the apron strings, as educators listen, and as business owners become participants. It is no secret that today's students have different interests, new technologies at their disposal, and actively seek new learning experiences. And now, hi-tech business leaders are opening the checkbook to invest in tomorrow's young people as we #rethinkhighschool.

       America's educational system has not undergone a major transformation in nigh 100 years. Yet, our society has changed at an incredible speed. Recognizing the need for educational reform, Lauren Powell Jobs, widow of Apples Steve Jobs has committed $50,000,000 to seed the XQ Super School Project. Our very own Ft. Smith Future School is in the running to win $10,000,000 (yes, million) to seed the city's first, free public charter school. 

     So, how does a school go about winning one of the 5 awards that will be announced come August 2016? First applicants have to design their school to meet government standards and legal requirements. After that...the sky is the limit. 

     Ft. Smith Future School students are teaming with parents, educators and business leaders to define what their school looks like, the programs offered,and how they present these ideas. Students then go through a process to discover for themselves how they can accomplish their goals. What resources are required (people, money, money, equipment, etc); and what are the obstacles that will need to be overcome.

     One might rightfully ask, "How is this process working out?" Well, if you want to experience the project first hand, message Trish Flanagan on FaceBook and ask to be included in event reminders. If you're not quite ready to get involved, check out this video and share this story with others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1warx9rWPA

     Together, we can #rethinkhighschool and help our Ft. Smith win a $10,000,000 educational award! 





     

XQ Kick Off at Fort Smith Future School

   Fort Smith Future School has students, parents and business owners excited and engaged as our community rethinks high school. It's a concept that has created a sizable media stir. A high school designed by students...for students? What does that look like? And what does that mean to the business community?

    It begins with community participation - from students, parents, neighbors and business people. When you go to one of the Thursday night Create-a-thon meetings, you'll see a community of adults and students enthusiastically engaged in designing a school that provides students with an opportunity to learn in an environment that fosters real learning.

    With that in mind, here are 3 reasons your business may want to participate with the Fort Smith Future School program 

1. Participating business owners have an opportunity to make an educational difference by giving interns exposure to a real world work experience.
2. Be pro-active! Many of us are greatly concerned with the lack of fundamental skills possessed by high school students. The Future School program gives business owners an opportunity to participate in a program that can provide a better pool of future workers. 
3. Knowledge share. Nobody knows your business like you do. But...you'd be surprised at the fresh ideas these youngsters come up with that just might be the solution to a problem that has caused you a struggle.

     Fort Smith Future School is competing in a nationwide competition to win $10,000,000 from XQ: The Super School Project. Lauren Powell Jobs, widow of Apple's Steve Jobs, has committed $50,000,000 to seed the XQ project. Future School is in the running with 200 innovative schools to win one of the five $10,000,000 awards that will be announced in August. 

Passion & Courage...One Woman's Journey Gives Options to Others

Boutique Offers Options and Hope for Breast Cancer Survivors

Women diagnosed with breast cancer face a harrowing journey. The times are scary, calling for understanding, compassion--and help with what’s ahead.

“I know what to expect because I’ve been through it myself,” said Bev Ramsey. She has experienced the surgery, mastectomy and post-surgery problems, chemotherapy, radiation and the lymphedema that can follow.

Ramsey operates the Pink Ribbon Boutique. It is a business dedicated to helping women through the turmoil of facing breast cancer, including the support and products they will need.

At Pink Ribbon, women find a kindred soul.

“I help mentor women through the process,” Ramsey pointed out. She considers “cancer coaching” much more important than the products she offers.

For years, her business was located in Russellville. Many women from there still seek her out. She moved the operation to Fort Smith last October. Pink Ribbon is located at 601 S. 21st St.

“Following surgery, women need a post-surgery camisole,” she explained. This is a camisole designed to hold drain tubes, and this can be customized for individual needs and comfort. The camisole not only serves a useful purpose, but also offers some form so that women do not leave the hospital flat chested – with the visual reminder of the trauma to both body and psyche.

“Once surgery is over, then you get chemotherapy--and you will lose all your hair, among other things,” she noted. “Following surgery, or before surgery, the doctor will probably suggest reconstruction.” This is a process about which Ramsey is passionate.

“When a mastectomy is performed, women basically undergo an amputation. At a time when a woman is going through an emotional as well as physical crisis, she often does not understand or realize the resources available to help her make educated decisions. Consequently, her only source of information is that which is coming from the medical staff,” relates Ramsey as she remembers her own situation.

“I was fortunate,” she continues. “I chose to not have the reconstructive surgery immediately following the amputation of my breasts. Rather, I gave my body an opportunity to undergo the chemo and radiation treatments and heal. This not only was beneficial physically, but it allowed me time to emotionally process what was taking place.”

“Once my body had healed and I had done some research, I was once again given the choiceundergo the reconstruction process. I opted to wear a prosthesis rather than put my body through the pain and ordeal of another surgery. This decision also gave my family a breather from the ongoing process,” Ramsey concluded.

Ramsey emphasizes that most women undergoing the mastectomy procedure are under-educated and not aware of the many options available. Nor are they aware of the lymphedema that can possibly follow. Her goal is to mentor, teach and work with women to help them become aware that there are options, and there is support for them as they face this harrowing journey.

At Pink Ribbon Boutique, custom breast forms are available, but Medicare does not cover custom prosthetics, she said. And there is a risk of lymphedema--presenting additional problems involving swelling in the extremities. If it goes untreated, lymphedema presents a host of additional medical problems.

Teacher to Store Front

Meet Mark Walters. At one time he was a vocational-tech teacher guiding his students through the ins and outs of woodworking. Today, he is the owner of a thriving business where he still gets to participate in his favorite activity - Woodshop.

As the owner of Mark’s Machinery and More on Towson Avenue, Mark identifies his biggest competitor as the Internet. “It’s crazy,” he begins, “people can go online and buy my product without having to pay sales tax. That can mean big savings on some products.”

Unfortunately, this is a dilemma that plagues every brick and mortar store. The question then becomes, “what can I offer that can’t be bought online?” For Mark, the answer is almost a no-brainer. Along with top quality products such as Festool, he offers a hands-on service that gets his customer into the store: Wood Shop!

Hands-on woodworking classes offer a community opportunity to learn a new skill, while giving Mark an opportunity to demonstrate the tools to make the skill easier. He even has a space in the store where fellow-woodworkers can show-off their artisan skills. Learn more at marksmachinery.net or stop in at 2210 Towson Ave. Ft. Smith, AR.

BBQ and Sports at Ralph's Pink Flamingo

Eight years ago, Ralph Taylor opened the doors of Pink Flamingo BBQ. He and his partner/son Jeff have built an incredible business serving finger-licking barbecue. And, according to Entertainment Fort Smith’s Reader Awards, it’s the BEST in town (for 8 years in a row)! The menu includes all the favorites: pulled pork, brisket, chicken, sausage and ribs with all the fixin's.

Pink Flamingo is a favorite eatery to gather with friends while, each Monday noon, ESPN Arkansas (95.3) broadcasts the UAFS Coaches Show from Ralph’s Pink Flamingo. For Lions fans what can be better than barbecue and a sportscast to catch up on the latest news and shake hands with the coaches?

This is where you go as family - friendly service, good food and kids are welcome! This is where you enjoy “Grand Champion Style Bar-B-Que! Located at 2801 Old Greenwood Rd. 

Like them on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pinkflamingobbq/

A smile from Biddy Craig

Up in the morning, get the kids out the door for school, in the shower and off to work. Weekday mornings are hectic. But, as you swing through McDonalds on Kelley Hwy, your day is going to get better!

This is Biddy Craig. He smiles when he greets you, repeats your order before handing it through the drive thru window and sends you on your way feeling good - even makes you somehow look forward to the work that is waiting. Biddy makes you feel like he got up that morning with you on his mind and has been looking forward to seeing you all morning. And, his smile beams as he tells you, "Have a blessed day." And you can't help but smile back, return the good wishes...and look forward to your next McCafe.

Thank you Biddy for all those coffees, sweet teas and egg McMuffins. But most of all, thank you for making the mornings brighter and happier for so many customers. You are a shining star!

Putting risks to work for you

      Running a small business teaches the owner many things. One of them is knowing that everything you do carries a risk. Not all risks turn out well, but some do.

     If your mother had not given birth to you, you would not be reading this. Likewise, if you had not taken the risk of failing, you would not be in business.

     Life is full of risks. A tree limb can fall on you, but you still walk under trees. An oncoming vehicle can swerve in front of you, but you still drive.

     In business you are continually taking risks. You bring in new products or you offer new services. You make adjustments to customer service. You begin a promotional campaign on social media. 

     In every case, you risk failure. But small risks can help you inch toward your goal. And small risks help you prepare for the bigger, more important risks ahead.

     To grow a small business into a larger operation takes a dream, a plan, and follow-up. Taking risks along the way is part of the game. Of course, if you've built your small business to the size that you're comfortable with, and you don't want to grow bigger, that's one thing. But, if your dream is still not realized, then taking risks can get you there. Do the planning, step lively, and look back only to learn from it.

     Building bakeries -- Mary tried baking all sorts of goodies in her bakery until she settled on the mix of products that brought in retail customers and wholesale clients. She let the business "settle in" for a few years before deciding that the time was ripe to expand. She took a big loan, expanded her facilities and equipment, hired additional people, and purchased a van. When this expansion "settled in" Mary headed toward offering her first franchise. By taking risks along the way, she was following her long term plan--and the biggest risk of her life. 

     Once you get a risky step in the rear view mirror, it's time to consider the road ahead. That fear of failure can serve you well. Just don't let it prevent your tackling the next risk. After all, your mother didn't hesitate.