Here at the Network News, we talk a lot about graduates of the GCSEN programs, and their success stories once their projects are well underway. But this week we wanted to get a little more granular, and write about someone who’s still in the process of setting up a venture. What’s it is like to work with GCSEN on a new idea? How can a relationship with GCSEN and Professor Mike Caslin help when the project is just starting?
Once again this winter, GCSEN hosted a cohort at HBCU the University of the Virgin Islands UVI-CELL (Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning). Student Luwan Mathurin attended these classes and has been following up with coaching from Professor Mike Caslin. Her venture is so new that she hasn’t settled on a name yet, but Mike is already helping her with the nitty gritty details!
Luwan Mathurin hails from the island of St. Croix USVI. She graduated with a Masters degree in Technical Management from Capella University, where she also completed two certificates in Consulting and Business Management. Her venture will be "a soft skills training and consulting venture expanding into tutoring and resume writing", as her passion lies in teaching these skills to others. “What got me started was having the ability to instruct people, no matter their age, in a way that they can understand and at least grasp the concept. My inspiration is encouragement from my peers and the experience that I gained from teaching/tutoring.”
What are the drawbacks of starting something new, all by yourself? “One hurdle that I have faced in life is keeping out the negative noise and being able to keep it positive. I overcame this by keeping my support system and circle small, with like-minded people, who have set goals that they are trying to achieve.”
After a recent coaching call with Mike, she’s seeing things in a new light: “I felt like I was all over the place. (He) helped me prioritize and focus on the key steps to see my way. This class has been such an eye-opener for me! It has caused me to re-think things and change… I’ve scheduled classes to get further certified to help now build my own certification company or joint venture in the future. This has been a true bonus program! …I had my business idea in my head…nothing on paper. NOW I CAN SEE MY WAY and now prioritize my time. I can see blocking off time to study, work on my book…This course has really helped me to see my way! Being able to see things now and utilize my calendar better… I now even color code things!”
Mike has helped Luwan, not only to figure out organizational details, but to keep the faith in these early stages and avoid self-sabotage. “Mike Caslin gave me perspective which has helped me to view things from a different angle. It forced me to not necessarily go back to the drawing board, but to make corrections and to tweak some elements in the project that I am working on. One of the benefits is being accountable and to be able to edit myself. But most of all, giving myself grace, and allowing myself moments to just breathe. Mike Caslin gave me the extra boost that I never thought that I needed – which was confidence in not just my project, but myself.”