simpleartur-blog

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LinkedIn 

Social media has been the single important “invention” of the 21st century. It’s usually free and gives us the power to network and market ourselves.

https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/how-to-write-a-powerful-linkedin-profile-summary

- LinkedIn is your personal digital business card

-Professional way to network and get your idea’s out to the market

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One of my first “long-exposures” - one of my favorites

Sasco Beach - 06824

AP.30

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Some inspiration - This is a mindset of success, no matter where you are and what you have you figure out ways to take a negative into a positive. 

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4PE - The core of Entrepreneurship and change.

4 Purpose Energy

             Students lugged into lecture one by one on an early September morning at Brandeis University. Dreary eyes and yawns echoed from all directions of the deep lecture room. Sam Ronkin had his pen and paper on his table when he looked up and glanced to his sides. Stunned, he couldn’t fathom how young college students were cracking open energy drinks and carbonated cans of coffee that had dangerous amounts of caffeine and chemicals this early in the day. Glancing back to the lecture slides he had challenged himself to think “There has to be a better alternative to all of this.” An idea was born, the 4 Purpose Energy brand had just established itself.

           Last October, 4 Purpose Energy was founded by two brothers, one of which is a part of BU’s biology department and his brother a recent grad at Brandis University. This student start-up has a tremendous mission, not only is this brand a perfected energy drink composed with only organic byproducts but they give back to impoverished communities. This drink with a genuine purpose behind it is in over 400 locations today and is in serious talks with distributors. This college start-up could be the drink to transform lives,

           Daniel Ronkin a young sophomore at Boston University scanned the hipster café and saw me sitting next to the tall glass window. Daniel a taller character that rests at well above six foot quickly shuffled in between the coffee drinkers, tables and other obstacles, sinking himself in the chair next to mine. Slightly panicked that I was there before he was his ears and nose pulsed a rosy red color from the harsh winds of winter. His short dark hair and patchy stubble contrasted his pale winter complexion. He took a moment to catch his breath and thoughts when he placed himself to the seat right of mine. He wore a very thin jacket that hung on him and it seemed poorly insulated for the cold weather outside that night. His hands brushed his arms and shoulder a couple of times until he was warmed up. We chatted briefly about our day and how in the future I would be able to play a role in developing the company.

           The Ronkin brothers were raised by a goal oriented family who have business genes in their DNA. Their father had finished the highest caliber of education in the Soviet Union becoming a well-known dentist in their area. After coming to America their father’s journey was full of unexpected surprises and difficult decisions. Mr. Ronkin had to redo school once more and finished Tufts medical school in Medford, MA. Shortly afterwards he started his own practice as a dentist in the Boston area. “It must not be easy, being in school and running a start-up, have you had business experience before starting 4PE (4 Purpose Energy)?” I asked Daniel with interest. “Sam has always had this business, money sense to him; he’s definitely the one with more of a business background. When he was younger he liked to play in the stock market, and still does today,” Daniel happily responded.  He described his brother in a very respectful manner; this showed the type of family bond that they have. Daniel Ronkin is a tremendous asset to any business or group; he fully supports his brother’s dreams and does great things in a humble manner. Daniel may not recognize it but he has had business experience throughout his life by helping his father run a profitable and well established dentistry as well as organizing business matters for his cousins’ crepe restaurant. As mentioned earlier business is in the Ronkin’s genes. This is how Daniel learned to run his start-up, by being around family run businesses his whole life; he learned how people and business processes come together and their value to each other. Daniel and Sam shared their insights on what it’s like to be entrepreneurs at a young age. These brothers try and not to miss any opportunities in order to grow their business, they attend well-known entrepreneurial events with big name influencers as Gary Vaynerchuk and more. After being afloat for over a year, learning step by step on what improvements to do next in business Daniel came out to mention that one common theme other start-ups say is that with their first project there isn’t enough money. Daniel and I went to a networking event at the Cambridge innovation Center roughly a month ago and met entrepreneurs with their own start-ups. The people we talked once again had a common theme of mentioning that they didn’t have enough money or resources to progress their companies the way they pictured it in the beginning. The brothers also quoted many famous entrepreneurs that your first business is your test run as an entrepreneur. Your first company won’t likely be the next big thing, but you learn what you could have done and should do for the next time around. The information you learn is of greater importance than anything else, it is what you take away that matters. Ronkin brothers do just that, they listen to their father’s advice in his experience in running a successful dentist office and take away his expertise in order to prosper theirs. The key to their future success is to simply listen to experienced start-ups and take away their advice.

           Daniel and Sam really wanted to create a company with a purpose behind it, inspired after reading a book written by Adam Braun called “The Promise of a Pencil,” this book gave the brothers a clearer motive in trying to establish their brand. “Education has always been a priority in my family, you know how our Russian parents are, constant pressure about school,” Daniel grieved to me. “Un-education people struggle, it’s statistical, it’s in my power to possibly help impoverished counties and people in need.” The book really opened up Daniel’s eyes on what he wanted for his brand to represent and what he stands by. Coming from an educated family background Daniel understands what getting an education really amounts to in the future. After reading the book the two brothers really believed that they could make a change in impoverished communities across the globe and do something ethical. After the partnership with Adam Braun and his Pencils for Promise campaign the Ronkin brothers learned a lot more about their mission in donating. After talking to the brothers about their business plan of how they would reach their quota in order to build their first school I was quite surprised to find out the following. It cost roughly $35,000 dollars to build a school in a 3rd world country, which is a substantial amount for a start-up to raise when they need to stay afloat in the competitive American business market. But for every can sold 4 Purpose Energy donates ten cents towards organizations that make education more accessible to children. Furthermore their main objective was set to raise $35,000 dollars which goes into building a school, providing teachers and giving out scholarships with that amount. Also another surprising figure, 25 cents is what it costs on average to start a child in school in Africa. With their current sales it is projected that within another two to three years they will be able to build their first school. Luckily in business there are many more factors such as marketing/advertising that could launch a surge in purchases and help accelerate their projection, which I will help be a part of.

           What 4 Purpose Energy really stands by is their transparency. Ronkin brothers wanted to make a drink that gave natural energy without any sort of additives that tasted amazing; this is what they came up with! No artificial sweeteners and much less sugars are in this energy drink compared to its major competitors. Every ingredient comes from a plant or some organic source. “Yes, when you’re on a budget it is difficult, but we really wanted to produce something at 100%,” Daniel responded when asked why go through so many steps when your just beginning. 4 Purpose Energy is just one year in business and have already been Kosher, Vegan, GMO free certified and with each of these extra certifications that is a lot more cash being invested in something two Bostonian brothers believe in. Not all Whole Foods products have these certifications in their products, but an organic start-up has invested in this just because they believe this is right. Ronkin brothers want to give consumers 100% of good than just make it slightly better than the competition, 4 Purpose Energy is blowing it competitors out from beneath them with their commitment in giving a healthy alternative to today’s consumer. I questioned that it is risky putting so much money into being certified and organic. It would make sense to make some profits and do such things later on when the brand is more developed but Daniel insisted that they would not put off such things that distinguished the company and mission statement from its competitors. 4 Purpose Energy are giving it their all from the start all the way to the finish. Courage, belief and determination is a reflection of Daniel and Sam‘s actions and character to be. Two young entrepreneurs on a mission to help build schools and be leaders in education across the globe.

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Nothing has aged better than this classic.

AP.30

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Southport, CT

AP.30

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New York City International Auto Show 2016

Level: Rick Ross

AP.30

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R53 2004/05 Mini Cooper - Base Model

It’s all about the aesthetics. Message me with your make and model and I’ll give you a tip or two to help save you money. Keep life simple and have your car looking levels above the rest with minimal investment.

AP.30

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Simply exquisite. 

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Atmosphere 10/10

Manchester City vs. Everton - Aug.21st

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Etihad Stadium - 08.21.2018

I have to say that the anticipation towards this moment was reckless and every minute to this point was well worth it in my book. Prior to receiving a private tour of the Etihad I visited Old Trafford believe it or not. I  took a stroll around it and didn’t even want to step foot inside the Red Devils. Old Trafford has that name for a good reason and it is justifiable. However I must say it did have a good atmosphere for the United fans, great new hotel outside with a 5 a-side court on the roof of it. 

The Etihad: Just pure architectural beauty and precision. My private tour started with the player entrance and into City’s new addition of the “Tunnel Club”. A hospitality suit well worth the money. Fans and higher-ups have the leisure of talking to the players prior to the match when they come in on a red carpet that guides them downstairs into the locker rooms. When walking onto the pitch and training area you are fluster with a sea of sky blue seats and banners across the stadium. The grass was just so precise - I’ve never seen grass so green before, I wish my barber gave my hair as much attention as the landscaping crew does for City. The stadium seats well over +55,000 and you really feel it when the chants start coming from across the pitch. My first European match and stadium tour.

Overall 9.5/10

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Phil Town does a great job in his mini memo of investments and morality. Your business decisions do reflect your personal life and aspirations. Good luck to all my fellow entrepreneurs. 

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CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND