How Entrepreneurs Differ From Small Business Owners - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 2 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What is the Difference Between Being an Entrepreneur and a Small Business Owner?"  Allen frames his answer in aspirations and scale.  He compares and contrasts small business examples with what he sees as entrepreneurial focused ventures.  As an entrepreneur J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How Entrepreneur Learns to Manage Expectations at Home - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 3 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What Have You Learned About Managing Expectations at Home While Building a Business?"  Allen shares the importance of good communication at home with his wife, especially as he transitions from a 24-year old founder to a husband and father over ten years in business.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

What are Challenges in Building a Business With Family - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 4 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What Has Been Most Challenging Building a Business With Family?"  Allen shares generational challenges as well as finding separation between personal and professional.  Allen details how working with his mother has impacted how their relationship has developed over time.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How CEO Manages Investor Expectations for Long Term - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 5 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "How Do You Manage Investor Expectations for the Long Term?"  He notes the importance of casting vision, setting timeframe, and adjusting for the unexpected.  As a company that has done three iterations - or revolutions - on its strategy, he shares lessons on managing investor expectations and relationships while shifting company strategy after raising money.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

The Pros and Cons of Being Your Own Boss - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 6 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What Do You Enjoy Most About What You Do?"  Allen shares the pros and cons that come with being one's own boss.  He provides details into managing time, setting priorities, finding balance and building a team.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How Small Company CEO Learns to Hand Off Responsibilty - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 7 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What Has Been Most Challenging Handing Off Responsibility to Others?"  He shares stories about how he learns to be less directly involved and hand off responsibility as his company grows to over 100 employees.  He shares examples from growing a call center to hiring a CFO and how he went through the decision process.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How CEO Leadership Changes as Company Tops 100 Employees - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 8 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What Does It Mean to Be a Leader in What You Do?"  Allen compares and contrasts leadership responsibilities when starting a company to the present, where he now has over 100 employees.  He shares challenges staying connected with employees while setting an example and vision for his team to follow. J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

What Attributes to Seek When Hiring Managers and Executives - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 9 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What Attributes Do You Look For When Hiring Managers and Executives?"  Allen notes that at his phase - roughly 100 employees and growing at 40% per year - he needs experienced hires that have done it before.  He shares how funding or capital availability plays a role and the challenges that come with part-time staff.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How Talent Management Strategy Changes as Business Grows - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 10 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "How Are Your Recruiting Priorities Changing as Your Business Grows?"  As Allen's company grows, he learns to let go and focus on hiring experienced talent.  He shares examples how internal controls provide business structure allowing for managed growth and scalability.  He notes how talent profiles differ between startup culture and structured growth culture and how that affects priority setting over time.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How Operational Excellence Creates Competitive Advantage - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 11 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "How Has Operational Excellence Become a Competitiev Differentiator for Your Business?"  As CEO of a company that helps colleges recruit students, Allen notes that operational excellence is fundamental to competing in a crowded services market.  He shares what has been fundamental to not only satisfy customers but also doing so while scaling his business and call center.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How to Use Customer Feedback to Improve Service Offering - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 12 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "How Have Your Used Customer Feedback to Improve Product and Service Offerings?"  Allen shares how both customer and user feedback shapes how he builds an education services offering to meet college client goals of finding students while meeting prospective student needs to find the right school or academic program.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How to Improve an Entrepreneur Support Network - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 13 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "Is It Important for an Entrepreneur to Have Great Cheerleaders?"  Allen notes while encouragement helps, he finds the most value from supporters who are more about engagement than enthusiasm.  By having engaged supporters who understand the business, Allen receives advice that helps him prove his business model and grow his company more profitably.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How CEO Finds Executive Mentors Using Business Network - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 14 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "How Are Your Mentor Relationships Changing as Your Business Grows?"  After ten years in business, Allen begins looking outside his business, investors, and advisors for individuals with shared experience and values that can join him on his adventure.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How Entrepreneur Learns From Other Entrepreneurs - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 15 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "How Have Other Entrepreneurs Helped You Be a Better Entreprenur?"  Allen details how entrepreneurs have provided industry-specific mentorship to help him manage his business.  He also learns from other entrepreneurs working outside the career and education industry.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

How a College Education Increases Lifetime Earning Potential - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 16 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "What Has Your Work in Education Taught You About the Value of a College Degree?"  Allen references a study detailing how a college bachelors degree, independent of major, creates significantly higher lifetime earnings than simply being a high school graduate.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

Transcription: 

Erik Michielsen:  What has your work in education taught you about the value of a college degree?

J.T. Allen:  A recent study just came out that a bachelors degree, you’ll earn in your lifetime 80% more than you will if it’s you know if you just have a high school diploma and it’s over a broad set of people, it’s – so the sample size is big enough where it’s really meaningful.  The study actually went further on to say, it doesn’t really matter what you major either, right?  It’s sort of all kind of plays out in that, it’s really either bachelors degree or not, right?  There are certainly pockets within that study where and you know how you can get to careers where you’re earning more and that type of thing but in general it doesn’t matter that much. 

So I’m a believer and I believe that study, there are probably six other ones that predate it, that say the same thing, you know in some form or another.  Bachelor’s degree equals more money and I think that that is a critical distinction that it is – that really accounts for the market, right?  Meaning you know the averages, right?  Sure there’s going to be people who will -- don’t need to go to college you know Bill Gates didn’t go to college, right?  You know he dropped out, guess what?  He’s exceptional.  Most people are average.  Face it and you know you want to give yourself the best odds, right?  So the way that you can kind of improve your odds in a known way is to go to college and get your degree.

Why Applying to College is About Fit and Not Rank - J.T. Allen

In Chapter 17 of 17 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, education entrepreneur J.T. Allen answers "If You Had to Apply to College Again How Would You Do It?"  Allen, a Michigan graduate, shares that he has learned college is about fit and not just ranking.  He notes that even if he didn't get into his favorite school, he would have had a great college experience.  He notes it is about focusing on who you are and presenting yourself transparently to a prospective university.  J.T. Allen is the CEO and co-founder of myFootpath, a company that provides higher education online resources and call center services to help high school and adult learners choose academic programs in line with career goals.  Before myFootpath, Allen worked in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young.  He earned his BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

Transcription: 

Erik Michielsen:  If you had to apply to college again, how would you do it?

J.T. Allen:  That’s an interesting question because I think a lot of people look at competitive colleges and you know the hoops that everybody’s got to jump through these days and you know the favorite phrase that I hear is you know “I never would have got in to fill in the blank you know Harvard, Yale whatever,” wherever they went, right, their alma mater. I wouldn’t get into that. And you know I think what I’ve learned is that you know college really is, for many people it’s about kind of finding the fit you know. 

I mean look I’m the biggest University of Michigan fan around when it comes to college football and fantastic experience and you know wouldn’t trade it for the world.  The reality is if I didn’t get in to the University of Michigan I still would have had fun in college, it still would have been a great experience. 

So you know now when you look back at that you’re like you know you just have a different perspective on it.  You just got to know it’s going to work out and know as I think about applications and you know if there are any advice to tell people to do, really focus on who you are, right?  And if people don’t you know sort of want who you are, you don’t want them, right?  Because you’re going to have a bad experience, you know, you want to go where it’s a good fit for both sides and if you kind of have that in mind I think it makes it easier you know.  It takes the pressure off a little bit and you can just sort of focus on, “Alright, what am I all about?”

How Immigrant Learns to Assimilate into Foreign Culture - Anatole Faykin

In Chapter 1 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Internet entrepreneur Anatole Faykin answers "What Has Your Own Immigrant Experience Taught You About How to Assimilate into a Foreign Culture?"  Emigrating from Russia to the United States at 13-years old, Faykin learns to listen to learn the language and how others spoke.  He also learns that surviving the American high school experience is far more challenging than moving into foreign cultures.  As a result, it makes sense since high school Faykin has lived all over the world.  Faykin is the founder of Tuanpin, a Shanghai-based daily deals site he grew to 25 employees and sold in the fall of 2011.  Previously, he worked for British Telecom in London, Intel in Shanghai, American Express in New York, and Oracle in San Francisco as well as several startup ventures.  He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a BS in computer science and biology from the California Institute of Technology.

How Parents Learn to Understand Their Son - Anatole Faykin

In Chapter 2 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, Internet entrepreneur Anatole Faykin answers "How Have Your Parents Encouraged You to Pursue Your Passion and Explore the World?"  Faykin shares how his parents have moved from allowing him to move far away to supporting and, ultimately, understanding his decisions to live abroad in other countries.  Faykin is the founder of Tuanpin, a Shanghai-based daily deals site he grew to 25 employees and sold in the fall of 2011.  Previously, he worked for British Telecom in London, Intel in Shanghai, American Express in New York, and Oracle in San Francisco as well as several startup ventures.  He holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a BS in computer science and biology from the California Institute of Technology.