Testimonials for DramatisPersonae.org Coaching and Teaching
Lynn Baird, owner of AtTheHaven.com, Ottawa, Canada, November 2002:
"I always thought that you should do what you love to do and the money will follow. I found out the hard way that is not always the case. With the guidance and expertise of Bruce Firestone, I'm stepping back from the passion of doing what I love, to look at the mechanics of my business-- I'm excited about finally getting the business model right so that the harder I work, and I do work hard, the more money I will make instead of the reverse."
Warren Gencher, CEO, Brymark.com, November 2002:
"Some people talk about the concept of luck. Basically, there is no such thing. Psychologists view luck as Learning Under Controlled Knowledge (LUCK). This means working with a pro ( Bruce Firestone) to become more knowledgeable about your game, learning the variables that are necessary to read your clients, and maintaining a positive mental perspective of success."
"Warren-- I have found that when you SEE the solution, soon afterwards, it is like magic-- you SEE it everywhere. The important first thing is to be aware of the possibilities then to seize on them as they pass you by (carpe diem). I can't tell you how many businesses fail to get their business model right and then fail again because they don't SEE the opportunities that are right in front of them. Please keep me up to date and thank you for your kind words," BMF
Richard Isaac, Engineering Student, Carleton University, Ottawa:
"I wanted to thank you for an awesome experience this semester. I can definitely say that this has been the most educational experience I have had during my university career. I met some brilliant people that I have learned a lot from, and most importantly, I have a much clearer vision of what I want to do in the future. You were by far the most influential and motivating professor I have ever had and I hope to keep in touch with you for many years to come.
"I personally regret one thing during my studies of engneering at Carleton U. I really regret not taking a minor in business. I did not realise how important business is for engineers, regardless of wether they want to work for a company or be entrepreneurs. I really think that many students feel the same way I do.
"My goal from this class is to get ideas and a better feel of how entrepreneurs make it in the "real" world."
April 2001.
Nikhil Mahidhara, Business Student, Carleton University, Ottawa:
Entrepreneurialist Culture is a course that nurtures self-realization, motivation, and a higher order of thinking, while introducing students to essential entrepreneurial and business tools. Reflection upon this course has led me back to a truth I heard long ago. With anything you do, you will get out as much as you put in. Out of every course I have taken, I have never seen a Professor put in so much, or a greater level of participation from students. Business and engineering students will likely get at least as much out of this course as they put in.
March 2001.
Geoffrey Waddington, Student, Engineer, Technology Consultant, EffectiveSite:
"A J.O.B. in engineering pays a comfortable $50K / year on graduation. Many engineers really don't have much interest in anything but getting a job with the right company.
There are, however, a group of engineering students that are very much interested in entrepreneurship. They tend to gravitate towards activities that allow them to express their entrepreneurial energy.
Engineers who are entrepreneurial enjoy working with students from other faculties. This course allows that. It is tailored to entrepreneurship and I would like to see it on our (engineering) course selections!"
February 2001.
Martina-Ann Gargano, Business Student, Carleton University, Ottawa:
"I believe it is important for anybody who is remotely thinking about starting their own business sometime in the future to enrol in at least a few entrepreneurship courses. The knowledge you will gain by listening to Prof. Firestones' and guest lecturers' achievements and mistakes will be crucial to the success of your future business. These courses will teach you how the real world works and how to survive in it. The knowledge I have gained in the past year will definitively aid me in shaping my career."
October 2002.
Testimonial from Steve Akers, B.A., B.Arch.
Bruce,
I just wanted to thank you for the teaching and overhauling of the two courses you taught in the School of Architecture. They made an incredible difference in my education. I have now moved across the country to Vancouver and have set up shop downtown working for Turecki Architects as an intern. Here the system is more encouraging to the write exams much earlier than 3-5 years. The company offers to pay for all courses, exams, and encourages participation and a 'foot in the door' opportunity to the AIBC board.
I was separated from other graduates for this position, due to my experience of owning and managing a landscape design business in the summer during University. Thanks to a little guidance and some gripping lectures, I now have the opportunity to reach my goals faster.
Thanks again Bruce,
May 2001
Testimonial from Chris Dziwinski: B. Arch. Graduate, Carleton University.
I have had the considerable pleasure of having Bruce Firestone as my thesis advisor as well as my professor in the classes entitled "Real-estate & Development" and "Design Economics". Bruce has an uncanny ability to motivate students in a way which I have seldom seen at the university level. His dedication to his students and their education, was a large part of the reason why I chose him to be one of my thesis advisors for two consecutive semesters. His open mindedness is a trait which is lacking in some cases and his genuine interest in his student's work is also relatively unique. Apart from the knowledge which he allocates to his students, Dr. Firestone teaches one how to be professional and confident and in my opinion, this is a skill which no other professor has attempted to develop in their students. Bruce has much to offer that is unique and it was a pleasure having him as my professor.
"As a startup you need advisors who are willing to climb into the trenches with you and go the distance. That's what Dr. Bruce Firestone provides ActivePotato. Bruce is hands on, hard working and energizing," Marwan Forzley, Founder, ActivePotato.com., September 2002.
"We recently finished another good season here at Wilderness Tours. I can remember when you spoke to our staff, Bruce, many years ago about programming. We took it to heart and added family programs, sea kayaking, mountain biking, etc. to our regular rafting and kayaking program. As a result we now have expanded our market from a rubber tire market to an international one. We have grown 40% since you were here last. As you said, it is all programming. Thanks again," Joe Kowalski, President and Founder, Wilderness Tours, Ottawa, Canada, October 2002.
"By the way, I had a nice chat with some of your students at this morning's breakfast ... they simply said your were the best Prof they have had since coming to Carleton four years ago. I am sure it is a shared belief by many of your other students," Luc Lalande, Carleton University Entrepreneurship, Ottawa, May 2002.
"Since being coached by Bruce Firestone I have successfully launched my business. Through his guidance, I have learned how to take an idea, mould it into a plan and business model, and implement the plan through key bootstrap strategies in areas such as financing, marketing, and sales," Darcy L. McRae, President and Chief Gondolier, Federicos Gondolas, Ottawa, Canada. October 2002.
March 2001.
Robin Chahal, Engineering Student, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada:
"I want to be an entrepreneur.
The study of business is important for engineers. Our society is run by the business model and engineers are not exempt from that. The better I understand business, the better engineer I am.
The study of entrepreneurship is useful for engineers because engineers are trained to build things. If I take a regular business class, I'll learn about abstract concepts that I understand but those concepts don't mean anything to me. If I take a course in entrepreneurship, those abstract concepts have relevance because it is in the context of building a business."
March 2001.
Simply put, we nominated Bruce for an Ottawa teaching award, and given our testimonials, he won. Regards, Trevor Grant, Sprott School Graduate 2002.
The 2 classes I had the opportunity to take with Bruce Firestone (Small Business Management, Entrepreneurialist Culture) were undoubtedly the most relevant, informative and inspiring of all my business studies. The course material, but more importantly the man himself...his extensive experience and knowledge...provided me with the base upon which I have begun to build my own career. Bruce Firestone has been an invaluable asset to the Carleton School of Business... Jackie Wrightsell
My name is Joshua Casselman and I am a Carleton University B.Comm graduate of Spring 2002. I had initially enrolled in Professor Firestone's third year entrepreneur course, and upon completing that immediately enrolled in his forth year entrepreneur course. I wish it to be known that on a weighted average the teachings of Professor Bruce Firestone accounted for the majority of experiences I considered to be invaluable during my post secondary education. Through his atypical classroom environment, which deviated from the standard overflow of miniature tasks to allow for creativity and ambition towards a major accomplishment, Professor Firestone taught lessons that could be immediately applied to the real world. Student perspectives were changed to recognize the endless opportunities that await in the business world and how easily these could be capitalized upon. Professor Firestone's connections in the business community allowed for his invaluable guest speaker seminars, which were attended by non-enrolled students and faculty for the mere experience. I truly consider Professor Bruce Firestone to be one of Carleton University's most valuable assets. Professor Firestone's teachings are of the kind that would make knowing students switch academic institutions just to follow him. My University education was costly, without question, but the teachings of Professor Bruce Firestone were unquestionably worth the money. Best Regards, Josh Casselman
Asokan Thurairajah, Engineering Graduate, Ottawa University, Ottawa, Canada:
"One of my professors at University said in a lecture in first year: 'Engineering degrees at the University level are not something that you use to get a J.O.B'. An engineering degree allows you to think beyond the box.
In my opinion, second and third order thinking is something that you can develop and I am sure that if an individual can get through an Engineering degree they can develop these thinking skills. I think, every engineer is capable of becoming an entrepreneur and developing the strong skills that will make him/her a successful entrepreneur. By taking Entrepreneurialist Culture, a student can learn from the experience of other entrepreneurs. This allows him/her not to make the same mistakes and to follow a path that ensures success."
March 2001.
ARSALAN ZARGAR, Engineering Student, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada:
"As engineers we must realize that not all projects that come our way, are worth pursuing. Just becasue a certain technology or project is challenging and/or rewarding upon completion, does not mean it will be the right business move. The days of NASA where: 'We must get to the moon (at any cost) first' are long gone. I feel a course in entrepreneurship will
strenghten one's sense of "self-managment".
By "self-managment", I mean a sense of direction of where they are and where they want to be and at the same time present them with the tools to know how to get there. In a nut shell, a course on entrepreneurship will give one the skills of career managment."
March 2001.
(Editor's Note: Arsalan- spot on, as the Aussies would say. The biggest adjustment for many recent graduates when working for most large companies today is often the fact that, even there, you are expected to be self starters and 'intrapreneurs'. You are supposed to be able to figure out what needs to be done and scrounge around for the resources needed to get it done.)
In my opinion, 491 was an excellent introduction to entrepreneurship culture. This course gives an excellent overview of some challenges that face any entrepreneur and lists some possible techniques to overcome them. I recommend this course to anyone aspiring to be a successful entrepreneur or intrapreneur.
Arsalan Zargar September 2001.
Al Pilcher, Business Student, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada:
"Now I know what the difference is between Entrepreneurism and Business.
What I am learning in these two classes (360 and 491) I believe should be applicable to all levels of business. Regardless if I am starting my own business or if I am in a fortune 500 company.
What is important to me in 491 is to learn and understand about topics like guerrilla marketing, bootstrap financing and to learn to try to think around the corners."
Ottawa, Canada. September 10, 2002.
Darcy McRae, Year 4 Bachelor of Commerce, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
"I get really motivated when I hear succesfull people tell their stories (actually I read somewhere that listening to successfull people's life stories or reading their biographies increases one's likelihood of success ).
Entrepreneurship challenges students to think broadly, to be inventors and problem solvers, to look around corners. It gives the ability to dream and the confidence to reach for that dream."
For more information, please contact us: Dr. Bruce M. Firestone, tel.: +1.613.265.5560 or by email.
Small Business Management
Entrepreneurialist Culture
Magic from a Hat Lectures
Wes Nicol Business Plan Competition
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