It was a full room on Wednesday morning as SIFE prepared for the long anticipated arrival of the highly proclaimed speaker John Warren, publisher of San Diego Voice & Viewpoint.
SIFE, Student in Free Enterprise, is a City College organization dedicated to helping students succeed by providing countless resources, which included the opportunity for students to attend a business networking breakfast and listen to Warren discuss topics regarding business, self-worth and how to manage time.
Warren began his discussion with a quote from Malcolm X, whom Warren had the privilege to spend time with.
“Don’t waste time. Malcolm once told me that he never hung out with people who didn’t wear a watch because that meant that they didn’t have any value of time.”
Warren, a minister, lawyer, entrepreneur, professor and author, informed students there are business opportunities waiting to be found.
“Go where you haven’t been before” was Warren’s theme as he continued to speak on business related issues, also reflecting on the issue of not mixing friends with business.
“Be a thinker, don’t follow the crowd,” Warren told students.
Managing time and starting your own business was what Warren told students as the discussion continued with questions from attendees.
Maria Guadalupe needed to hear the answers to several of the questions asked by students. Guadalupe was conflicted with continuing on with life, school and seeking employment. Her record, due to criminal activities earlier in her life, made it difficult for her to find employment. A student asked Warren how to deal with such an issue and he responded by informing students to become self-employed and to find talent within themselves.
Guadalupe agreed with Warren’s “no nonsense” attitude and enjoyed learning from a “real person who did not sugarcoat anything.”
Guadalupe is excited and eager to move on with her life and noted, “I want to open my own business someday. It is the only place I can go on with life without the fear of getting fired or overlooked for my past.”
