EMP Kicks Off!

Written by: Andrew Mcmillan

Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul" – Niccolò Machiavelli (from the entrepreneurial journey of Daniel Malcom)

This Friday we EMP kicked off a new semester by welcoming a new group of students to the program. Additionally, we welcomed Chris Fide of Principal Financial as our new Mentor Coordinator. Chris will be temporarily sharing the role with previous mentor coordinator Nancy Ervin of CPA firm Baker Peterson Franklin. Nancy will be leaving us as mentor coordinator but will remain a part of the EMP family. On behalf of everyone who has been a part of the EMP, thank you Nancy for your dedicated service to our program and community.

Jerrica Harrold provided a delicious lasagna lunch through local Italian eatery Mama Mia Pizzeria.

Dr. Timothy Stearns kicked off the meeting with a rousing speech about the standards and expectations of EMP. Veteran EMP students shared insights and tips about how to meet with mentors, and handling the responsibility of the program.

Veteran student Daniel Malcom shared his entrepreneurial journey, which started when he was in elementary school selling lemonade and picking up recycling door to door. Soon he graduated to buying boxes of butterfingers and the grocery store, and selling them to his classmates for $1 making a sixty cent profit. This enforced Daniel’s passion for selling. Through all his hard work and industriousness, Daniel saved $2500, which helped fund his mission trip to South Korea.

Daniel lived for two years in South Korea and is fluent in Korean. Daniel is happily married to his Korean wife and they have a daughter Mina, and are expecting a son, Daniel Malcom III.

Daniel currently works for his father’s company Malcom Media Ag Publishing, but dreams of one day owning Malcom Corp, a conglomerate of diverse businesses. Currently Daniel is starting his company Sparkle Ties, through the Coleman Fellows program. Sparkle Ties are unique ties made of various sparkling materials that are a unique fashion statement. Daniel is involved in a variety of other activities including, being Scout Master in Boy Scouts, the NFTY program, and his company DJ Malcom.

On his fruitful life, Daniel said, “"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams".

The day finished with veteran students paring with new students to do introductions in pairs. Many laughs were had and the semester was started off right.