|
Ask Dal
Dal is ready to answer your questions about starting or running a sustainable business, with a commitment
to responsible capitalism and corporate social responsibility. You can use this page to submit a question to Dal.
You can also check out others' questions and Dal's answers. And, when you find a question or answer that interests you,
feel free to post a comment to add to the discussion.
Recent Questions
|
Q:
|
I’m the E.D. of Great Schools for America - http://greatschoolsforamerica.org/. I recently read your article on Huffington Post about “Financing Your Dream Business.” And today, a friend sent me a link to your involvement with Patriotic Millionaires. As I listened to you speak about the value of public schools in your life, I thought you might be able to help our organization.
I have started a nonprofit organization to promote education equity. Currently, we are a group of volunteers, mostly educators, rolling a colossal rock up a very steep incline. We are fighting to save our public schools, and we need help rather urgently. This story is over eight years in the making, so please indulge me while I try to be as succinct as possible in telling it.
First, a little background about me: If you google my name, you’ll find that I am the first teacher not to be protected by the landmark decision Tinker v. Des Moines – “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” In my case (Mayer v. Monroe), the 7th Circuit decided that teachers do not have First Amendment rights at school, but instead, “a teacher’s speech is a commodity she sells to the school in exchange for a salary.” I lost my teaching position in Bloomington, Indiana for saying four little words: “I honk for peace” before the war in Iraq began. The irregularities in my case are astounding and the court’s ruling is, I believe, unconstitutional. I appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States but the high court declined to hear my case. (You can find out more about it if you are interested at freespeechnation.org. – sadly, in need of updating.)
I’ve been mostly unemployed since. I lost my house, my car, my savings, my career, and a good deal of my dignity in fighting for my rights. I was blacklisted by the school district. Their attorney posted awful things about me on the Internet. I was called incompetent and unpatriotic. I am an excellent educator who cannot find work. I moved to Portland, Oregon to be near my sons. Without their support I would be homeless. I am a knowledgeable, highly effective, experienced educator collecting food stamps. I’m telling you this to explain why, at this time in my life, I find myself totally without resources to fund a business. But, these days I’m in good company with teachers losing their jobs and their rights everywhere. We are under attack nationwide, and our public schools are under siege.
My question for you is how do we find funding to begin our work earnestly? We can’t expect our volunteers to do much more work without some compensation, and we need money for supplies. We find ourselves swimming against the current when approaching foundations for funding. Most don’t fund the travel and legal fees that will be important to our goals initially. Banks will not loan us money, not because we do not have a strong business plan, but because they do not agree with our agenda politically. (Besides, banks aren’t making loans to anyone I know.)
We have many answers to our nation’s education woes. We think educators should be involved in the reform process. We want our voices to be heard. We can’t do it without a hand up. So called “education reformers” are doing real harm to children, so we don’t want to waste time. I would be happy to spend some time detailing our mission and projects, and answering any questions you may have. Oh, to be able to afford a Tweezerman again . . . sigh.
Submitted by Deb Mayer, 35 weeks 5 days ago
|
|
A:
|
Get the answer!
|
|
Q:
|
Dear Mr. LaMagna,
My name is Michael Kunkel. I have thus far conducted my life in a relatively conventional way regarding college and a career. After many years of part-time college and full-time work, I have gone as high as an engineer as I really want to. My heart is not in it, though I admire those who are focused on such things. However, I have come to a crossroad in my life and realized this isn't me.
I have been working very diligently on learning what to do to change my life, and something wonderful I learned is meditation. I have always had a great deal of faith, and this new way (for me) to tap into the endless energy around me has led me to you.
I was recently on a business trip to Warner Robins, GA when I ran into a very pleasant woman named Sharon Dilorenzo from Dayton, OH. She and I were talking about politics, business, and life in general when she told me that you went to school with her husband. I was relating to her the fact that I have had many ideas in my head for inventions and businesses, and she mentioned that I should get in touch with you.
I have been continuing right now to find the correct amount of focus that I need to apply to various aspects of my life. I have been attempting to focus on just one of my ideas at a time, but I have been having trouble with that, since, as I learn more by pursuing any one of them, I'm inspired again to work on another. I have two things in particular that I am working on, one is a human interface device for all sorts of electronics, and the other is a brand of hot dog sauces. I have many other ideas too, but I'm trying to keep them at bay for now.
If I had to ask you one question right now (since there are probably about a million more behind it), I'd like to ask you, should I focus on only one of these things, or continue to follow my heart and pursue both at the same time? I'm really trying to figure out how best to focus my energy. I don't want to spread myself thin, but I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket.
I'm really in great need of casual business advice, as I have not yet found a good mentor. I was wondering if you or someone you know might be able to help me. I know from prior volunteer teaching that the best way to learn is to do. That is what I'm working on now as I overcome my fears. Please let me know if you or someone you know can offer me guidance in my quest to be a far more productive American and in turn help others also to be productive.
I do hope you get this message and respond. Thank you greatly for your time.
Sincerely,
Michael Kunkel
Submitted by Michael Kunkel, 25 weeks 2 days ago
|
|
A:
|
Get the answer!
|
|
Q:
|
Dear Dal,
I've reached the point now where I am ready to launch my innovative undergarment. To date, I have completed many of the fundamental steps in creating the company. I have established a relationship with trademark and patent attorneys. I am planning to apply for a patent in June; my lawyer has told me the idea is patentable. The product name searches have come back clear.
I have set myself up as an "S" Corporation. All papers have been filed and my company is up and running.
I have met twice in person with the manufacturer. I approved the final ladieswear design, which was sent to the factory abroad. It took a little longer than expected but I was very happy with the prototype when it arrived. We met again a few weeks ago to tweak the prototype, submit plans for a slightly altered design, and develop a prototype design for the menswear. I should receive the new samples in about a month. Last visit they gave me the price points: the underwear will cost $6 per pair to manufacture. It will take approximately three months for an order to come back to me from the factory.
I have designed a logo for both the ladies' and menswear. I hope eventually to include a friend who is in advertising when I am ready to market the product. He is standing by ready to jump in.
After doing all this I still have so many questions. How soon do I need a website? How much inventory should I order to begin with? How should I market the product? Should I go to retail stores? (Sara Blakesly, founder of Spanx, flew to Dallas to meet with Neiman Marcus when she was getting started.) Where do I start?
I would be very happy to have you become involved to any extent you are able. If you would like to advise me on the business of selling my product, that would be fantastic. If you would like to be the CEO and do some real hands-on work--that works for me. Truth is, I could really use your expertise. I read everything you send and I have pored over Raising Eyebrows. I'm nevertheless an artist by training and the world of business is new to me. This is not just an idea. The product is ready for production and sales. I will do anything to make this work. I am organized, efficient, and very hard-working. I have excellent people skills. I want to be a responsible capitalist like you.
I've attached a Non-Disclosure Agreement. If you are interested, would you sign it and fax or email it to me? Would you also send a hard copy through the mail?
Many thanks. I think you're going to love my idea.
Sincerely,
Hope
Submitted by Hope, 39 weeks 6 days ago
|
|
A:
|
Get the answer!
|
|
