EVERYDAY we are posed with RISKS. There is a risk that while you cross the road, a car will flash out of nowhere, there is a risk that if you cut your hair, you won't like it, and there is a risk that if you order sushi, the fish is bad. No matter what we do, there is a risk in every choice we make. However, if we STRONGLY believe the good outcome is worth the RISK, then we should EMBRACE it. 

In microfinance, there is a risk in every loan provided to a micro client. There is risk that even the best paying client won't pay you back, because there is always a chance he will get sick or that something happens in the business or family, and he has no money to pay. But if nothing does wrong, then you've made quite the deal. Therefore, financial institutions take these chances, because just like the bad outcome can mean a loss of money, if the client does pay back the loan it's a SUPER win for them, especially if they are in the RISKIEST category. All clients are categorized into four different risk groups, this allows the bank or institution to determine their interest rates and eligibility for the different credits. The riskiest clients have the highest interest rates because they have the highest probability of default; therefore, the bank needs to secure some money, and thus poses HIGH INTEREST RATES on these types of clients. Even though, informal business owners are risky clients, financial institutions are willing to make these colocations of money because they know that if the client pays the loan will be very profitable.  This is why many financial institutions, like Banco Financiero, are working strategies to target the most RISKY sector of the economy: the small and informal business. 

Usually, when banks or any financial institution want to give a loan, they have to understand how the business of the client works, and most importantly understand how much they sell and how much money they make to see if the business if PROFITABLE. So, in order to determine this, institutions ask clients to supply them with balance sheets, invoices, or tickets that demonstrate the things mentioned previously. With this information on hand, banks are able to determine the loans that suit their client financially; a loan that allows them to buy what they need, but at the same time is in their paying range. Banks build CLOSE relationships with their clients and advise them with good financial decisions, so that they don't FALL into debt. But despite their efforts to help clients payback with no trouble, they also OVERWHELM them with financial opportunities, which the clients end up taking because they are desperate to ascend from social class. In the past few years, there has been a lot of PREDATORY LENDING, which has not only FEED debt to many individuals, but has also caused some financial institutions to fall apart (like Mi Banco).

Despite the RISK taken with every client, these new types of credits offered to Peruvians are giving the people--of the lowest sector of the economy--an OPPORTUNITY to flourish and accomplish their dreams. Research, has found that Peruvians have some sort of entrepreneurial spirit in their DNA.  Peruvians have an insane DRIVE to survive, to be creative, and thus be entrepreneurial to make their dreams reality. Additionally, it has also been found that the Peruvian females are one of the most entrepreneurial women in the world, and they are also the best paying gender as they feel responsibility to take care of their families and the work hard to prevent falling into debt. Currently, the middle class has extended because the lower sector has been given more CHANCES. 

Furthermore, even though taking risks is profitable for a bank, they also need to establish some LIMITS, so they don't go broke. Therefore, financial models have been created to determine the probability of default, level of risk, each individual possess, and thus determine if they will be rejected or granted the loan. Nevertheless, risk is not only determined through mathematical equations, nothing replaces a HUMAN CONVERSATION and RELATIONSHIP. A very important part of risk is also determined when the collaborator meets the client. Many times, these people can have a hard financial history, but are extremely hard working and trustworthy, and in these special cases the numbers aren't the defining factor.

BIG risks come with BAD consequences, but also GREAT benefits. It's a matter of knowing how to measure this risks, and knowing exactly what you want that makes the outcome WORTHWHILE. Two years ago I took a huge risk in my education path, instead of following the revered and recognized IB Diploma I decided to take a risk and do the Innovation Academy. Even though, the outcome of college was UNCERTAIN, I was determined that the experience, skills, knowledge, and opportunities I was going to have in the IA were worth the risk. It has been two years and the results have been outstanding. I've found who I am, I've embarked myself in the road to the carear I want to purse, I've made great friends, had plenty of real world experience, and grown as a learner and person. All because I measured my risk and knew exactly what I wanted to get from my decision. The same happens in a loan, the outcome is clear, and the risks are measured in order to control the probability of default.  Just like people, companies have to take risks to grow out of their confront zone, but they also have to do it moderately. 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve continued working on Blendz. We are currently APPROACHING the FINISH LINE, so we need to polish our baby. It’s been a tough term; aside from being very short, we’ve had tremendous amount of work. With a real life business in one hand and mocks on the other, it’s been a challenge to keep a BALANCE. Nonetheless, with just a few months, we’ve been able to CONCRETE some things like the cart and systems. Both have helped us organize, grow and be more efficient. Also, in the process, I’ve continued to learn new things about myself like my strengths and the  areas that I still need to work on.

During the past week, we’ve begin REFLECTING on our performance and putting down midterm grades. I’ve looked back into my performance (of these two months) and processed the FEEDBACK my classmates gave me, and I’ve come up with new goals. We only have a few months left, but I've still wrote down some things I want to work on..

I’ve always considered ORGANIZATION my greatest strength, but I also consider it one of my greatest WEAKNESSES. In one hand, being organized has helped me stay on top of things, complete my work good and on time. This skill is reflected in many aspects of my life, even in my writing. I don’t like to limit myself in moments of INSPIRATION, but I do like to outline my blogs, presentations, and even articles, so it has a coherent order and structure. This allows me to transmit my ideas clearly and concisely. On the other side, being organized has made my life very STRUCTURED. Many times, I’m so busy working and completing task after task that I forget to E N J O Y my work. Something I still struggle, and I’m challenging myself this semester with, is to find the PLAY and FUN in my work. I need to find a balance between working and having fun, because what is the purpose of creating beautiful work without enjoying it. At times it’s good to step back and see the big picture, when you understand the purpose it’s easier to see the PLAYFUL side.

There are so many VALUABLE skills, knowledge, and experiences I’ve taken from the IA. I wish I could have some more time here. The IA has pushed me to IDENTIFY my strengths and apply them in the projects we work on, and it has also made me aware of my weaknesses and has CHALLENGED me to work on them. As I work in my internship and visit colleges, I realize how the lessons I’ve taken from here will be handy the rest of my life. Two years ago I took the risk and it has paid back. 

The IA has changed my life, not to be cliché or anything, but it has certainly impacted me in a POSITIVE way. It happened in the right time, and I'm exceptionally GRATEFUL to be part of it. Without the IA, I wouldn’t have a clear idea of who I am or what I want to do, I wouldn’t of learned how to find value to make my life more purpose, and without it, I wouldn’t have learned how to fail and be perseverant. These are just some of the many valuable lessons the IA has IMPRINTED and gifted me with. Because this has been such a REATTRIBUTING experience, we—as the first IA class—have decided that we want to give back to our community by sharing everything we’ve learned these two years. The lessons and experiences acquired here are unparalleled. 

The class has been divided into two groups: BlendZ and IA final thesis. We have to to maximize our PRODUCTIVITY and test out if BlendZ can be managed by only 6 people, this is the perfect time to do so.  The IA final thesis group is currently working on a project, somewhat like the iWEEK, where we go to a secondary school—somewhere in Peru, the location is still to be determined—and we give the kids (14+) workshops on some of the MAJOR lessons we’ve learned in the IA like: autonomy, passion, mastery, mindset, personal branding, and others. We want to give lessons that will REMAIN with them, not theory that will fade with time. The idea is to challenge the students to create an innovative solution to a local problem, and at the same time applying what they’ve learned in the workshops, learn how to collaborate, and also learn about design thinking through the process. Also, the last day, each group would pitch their ideas and we pick the project we believe in the most, and we will also help fund it with the money of BlendZ. Finally, through the week, we would also film a documentary that not only ENCOMPASSES what we'll be doing, but also captures what the IA means to us and how it's CHANGED us. 

Nothing will be set in stone until we've found the schools. Therefore, we are in the process of searching for schools that are willing to give us the TIME of their teachers and students, so that we can carry out our project. We've just started, but contacting schools, has been our biggest challenge so far. As I think more and more about this project I get infinitely INSPIRED and DELIGHTED to work. The project still needs to be defined and twitched around, but I'm certain that our interaction with a small school and community will make an IMPACT, in them and also in us. 

When you have a clear audience, you are able to understand their needs and SERVE them better. By having a set community and school, we will be able to change our plan to make and make our visit more RELEVANT. Additionally, once we know the school we can do deeper research and serve their needs closer.  Yesterday, during lunch, I was brainstorming and talking about the project with my classmates and I realized that even though they would BENEFIT from workshops and the challenge, we could maybe--as we learn more about the community--pose a bigger challenge to help them LONG-TERM. I would maintain the workshops, but like I mentioned previously, with lessons and not with heavy content that they will forget. 

During lunch, Paolo mentioned his idea about installing a well, we would bring the materials and we would CHALLENGE the community and us to build it over the week.  Even though, the idea of building a well was metaphorical it got me thinking on how we could MODIFY the project we have now and make it even more significant to our audience.  I see the VALUE in both ideas, and I don't see why we can't merge both. Right now, I’m not quite sure where I want to go with this thought, but I’ll keep thinking about it, and it will become more clear as we have a established community. I believe that our main focus this week is to find our AUDIENCE, so we can develop further the project. 

I feel E M P O W E R E D. 


EMPOWERED to make a difference in a some children's lives, to GIVE BACK to my community, and to create something that will give VALUE, to others and to me. Taking on this project is the perfect GOLDEN FINALE to end our crazy adventure. It comprises who we are and what the IA means to us. And as we find the school, the more we will define the project, and the more meaningful it will become. 

A sushi genius once said:

JIRO ONO--the leading sushi chef in the world--wakes up every morning eager to prepare sushi, but not any kind, the most EXCEPTIONAL sushi in the world. It’s not about the money or the fame; it’s about following a PASSION that gives his life meaning, and still keeps him in kitchen with 85 years of age. 

There is no more valuable feeling that doing what you LOVE and MASTERING it. 

To me, Jiro is the perfect example of SUCCESS, because he’s not only found his C R A F T, but exceeds in it. He LOVES what he does, he INSPIRES people, he conveys PASSION, and PERFECTION through his delectable food. Money, is not his focus; money is just a by-product. There are few people who truly find PURPOSE in life; we are too focused on seeking high pay checks, studying  the most hired careers, and fighting for the head positions at work. We have completely forgotten to explore what makes each of us HAPPY, or we have simply left it aside. Why are we so scared to follow our passions? We have defined passions as: "they won’t pay the bills" or "they won't help us succeed". We have decided that if they don't give us money, they are not worth our TIME, even if they make us smile.

Is this the right MINDSET? Do we have the right definition of SUCCESS?

SUCCESS is not about having a big title, the latest iPhone, or a mansion; success is about finding YOUR CRAFT. A craft that enlightens you inside, even, when you just think about it. However, it's a CHALLENGE, and your craft won’t just come to you. You must EXPLORE, EXPERIENCE, and TRY NEW THINGS  in order to find that something that DEFINES you and gives your life an aim. The IA has helped me define who I am. Even though I haven’t found my craft yet, I feel that I’ve embarked myself in the right road, which is helping me explore it deeper.

Every morning—during the week—my alarm screams "wake up" at 6:20 am, I stand up and walk to the shower, change, brush my hair and teeth, dry my hair, disconnect both my computer and phone from their chargers, walk out to the breakfast table, eat, put on my shoes, and finally, at 7:00 am sharp, I’m already pressing the elevator button to go downstairs to the car. I follow this ROUTINE everyday—unconsciously—because it has helped me to be EFFICIENT, stay ORGANIZED, and REMEMBER to bring everything to school. 

We all have systems and they make us more PRODUCTIVE. Schools have systems, businesses have systems, and even the human body has systems. We have to SYSTEMATIZE certain things in order to make then a constant habit, instead of just having another task we have to complete.  When you have a system, you know exactly when to do that something it and how to do it, things FLOW by themselves; however, without systems, you have to set yourself remainders to do things and sometimes you MISS them. 

Last class—in Blendz—Gisella and I created a system so that the ordering of fruit runs smoother. Every week, we drown Jorge Cocchella’s email inbox with fruit orders, we order different quantities and flavors each time.  It gets CHAOTIC and BEWILDERING. This week, for example, we forgot to order for the Monday 16 because we didn’t know how many smoothie bags we had, how much had to be ordered, and what flavor had to be ordered.  Our department was FALLING APART because of a lack of structure; we had no inventory or ordering system, and since none of us were participating in the Monday’s sale, we completely forgot to order. Thus, we had to make an EMERGENCY call and rush our order. 

No fruit means: UNHAPPY customers, and LOST sale opportunity.

Systems don’t have to be too SOPHISTICATED nor PUZZLING, they can be simple reminders or short routines that allow your business to run tranquil.  Just like they talk about in “The Checklist Manifesto”, they shouldn’t have more than NINE steps, which is the average capacity a human can remember. Once a routine becomes a habit, you have nothing to worry about, no more missing tasks, no more mistakes, and no more rushing orders. For Blendz sales, we ‘ve decided that every Monday we are selling Ma’Berry, every Thursday we are selling Berry-B, and both days we are selling Banorange since it’s the only non-diary smoothie we have. The system for ordering goes as following:

This structure will facilitate our supplier’s PRODUCTION and DELIVERY, and it will also allow us to stay coordinated, and make sure we always have enough fruit for the events, even when we are not the ones in shift to sell. Now, we only have to order once a week, same flavors, and same amount. No more SATURATED inboxes.

AUTONOMY is key in a company--and anywhere really--because it fosters CREATIVITY and INNOVATION. This is why we have to break out from that squared, structured, systematic box. Nonetheless, it’s important to maintain organization and accounting of things, this is why SYSTEMS are created. We should create structures that keep us on top of things, but don’t limit our imagination. We should create structures that are detailed, but don’t make us sheep. We should create structures with different steps, but have space to freely pivot or modify things if needed. We should use systems to organize our creativity and company, they should't be threatening, if so, something has to be changed. SYSTEMS, are essential for success. 

Media is EVERYTHING. Media is EVERYWHERE. Media MATTERS. The whole world revolves around media. It has become part of our daily routine, our habits, because it has changed the way we communicate and interact, how businesses market, the accessibly of information, and how we learn. The Internet has REVOLUTIONIZED our modern world.

With only a few CLICKS, you can reach out to people living on the other side of the globe. With a few CLICKS, you can create meaningful advertisements to catch more consumer eyes. With a few CLICKS, you can begin a worldwide conversation by creating a hashtag. MARKETER, more than anyone, have taken control over the media world—especially social media—and have redefined its use. Who knew that a tweet or an Instagram post could reach so many people?  Well, companies are currently HARNESSING the power of these social media sites to reach out to consumers; we’ve seen the impact. Today sales are increasing and advertisements are becoming YouTube sensations.  

The INTERNET and MEDIA have become the most P O W E R F U L phenomenons of our time, they are crucial.

The future of MARKETING is media because this tool has allowed us to create trends, conversations with customers, and even spread the information or promotions around—with one click—to the entire word. MEDIA has made advertising cheaper, expeditious, and efficient. 

As college approaches, I soon have to begin deciding what path I want to follow, and what career I want to pursue. I’m almost certain that I want to study business—major in marketing—for my future career. Therefore, for my IBG I’ve decided to work on my media skills; even though, I won’t start my career right ahead, mastering Photoshop, Illustrator, knowing how to manage social media, and even learning how keep a good online presence are some basics for my career.  The faster I begin to MASTER them, the more SKILLFUL I'll become. 

People, who DOMINATE media, DOMINATE the business world. I, for example, have been a victim of the social media marketing fever. In my Instagram account I follow a user called “JamaWena”, which is managed by some friends in school. They post delicious dishes, snacks, and desserts they eat around in Lima, gastronomic capital. Many times I’ve used their Instagram profile as a culinary guide. Even though they do it for entertainment, they are actually marketing the different restaurants, and as a result people are going there, including myself. They have achieved COMMANDING many foodie’s actions.

Media has played a huge role in globalization and networking. It's certainly imperative for the future, and especially key for a marketing carear. If marketing is something I want to pursue, learning how to manage this POWERFUL tool smartly is a great beginning. Media literacy is INDISPENSABLE today. Therefore, if you want to have a memorable online presence, a well known business, or the skills to produce distinct ad, don't satay behind, and begin to UNLOCK the tricks and secrets MEDIA has to offer.  

Back in the first semester of IA, we did a FINANCE UNIT. The task was to CHOOSE and present one company that was socially responsible. Apart from those limitations, everything else was up to us. At first I couldn't believe the amount AUTONOMY we were given, before we were used to following a rubric in order to succeed; however, here, our creativity and passion were the tools that would lead us to succeed.  It was hard not to follow any rules. I decided to chose a company that was good with its employees. As I was researching, I decided to pick STARBUCKS, because I loved the work they were producing and how good they were with their employees. I must admit, I am not a finance or math person; therefore, if I would've been forced to research a given company I would've hated this project. However, since we were given LIBERTY to explore any company we were passionate about I ended up craving to learn more about finance and thinking this could possibly be a good career. I was motivated to work; I even remember getting back from school and discussing about stocks and finance with my father. Giving me the FREEDOM of choice payed off, and the SBUX stock was chosen to be part of our investment. The autonomy that was given to us triggered my motivation, my interest, and even my passion for finance, which I didn't even knew it existed. I had no threatening boundaries and this helped me succeed. 

Giving AUTONOMY can lead to fantastic things, but it's a challenge to manage it wisely. In the IA I have been given some freedom of choice in every project, but IBG is all about autonomy, there is absolutely NO RULES. Yes it's cool, yes it's a privilege, and yes it's unique, but I've had a hard time deciding what I want to do in that time. I feel S C A T T E R E D. I keep rethinking this over my head because I've never been given such autonomy; therefore, my brain hasn't been trained to think so OUT of the LINES. Thus, the challenge for me this weekend is to think deeply of how I can take advantage of that autonomy to follow my passion, to grow, and create beautiful work. 

We, the BlendZ team, started out with an ambitious goal: a $15,000 food trailer for our smoothie startup.  Since day 1 we've envisioned having a permanent location for BlendZ, but on wheelZ--we've imagined a trailer (in the shape of an airstream) that could be moved around campus.  However, over our summer break I gave some more thought to this AMBITIOUS goal--together with Gisella--and we concluded that we were rushing because we wanted to start at the end, by making our ultimate goal come to live right away. We were approaching things too fast; we wanted to eat the hamburger all at once, instead of eating it by pieces. 

THINKING BIG, is what sets a company apart; therefore, in this sense we were in the right track; we were thinking O U S T I D E THE B O X. However, every startup that has achieved successes has started from the bottom, by acting SMALL. BIG DREAMS is what pushes employees to perform at their maximum potential, it's these BIG DREAMS that activate their adrenaline to make the business grow and thus attain that FINAL goal. Nonetheless, thinking BIG doesn't mean you have to act BIG as well, you need to start from the bottom and work your way up, and to do so you must set your company small, achievable, goals that will ultimately lead you to that BIG DREAM. We've gotten so fixated with the idea of this trailer that we've forgotten to step back and look at the bigger picture. The trailer would be our first investment to still continue testing our business. Do we really want that $15,000 trailer to be our first purchase?

One day Gisella and I begun to brainstorm ideas and figured that a cart would be the best way to start. It's a small goal, attainable, affordable, and it represents--in a smaller version--what we want from the trailer. Most of us haven't managed a business before, especially not a smoothie business in a trailer; therefore, we have LIMITED EXPERIENCE working on a permanent/mobile location. Even though we envision the trailer one way today, we may envision it totally different tomorrow. As we work on it we might realize there are some flaws in the design or on the way we designed things. However, we won't know this until we test working on it. Yet, we should have to purchase something so expensive to then realize we've FAILED. By purchasing the cart we would not only be able to afford correcting design and operation mistakes in the cart, but we would be able to iterate along and maybe even purchase a second improved cart--with the improvements-- test it, and then make the BIGGER investment. It's very likely that we will be taking out a loan to complete the money we need to make this DREAM a reality; however, if it ends up beign a FAILURE, we've not only lost all the capital we've earned from BlendZ, but also we've fallen into debt. We have few months left in school, and we don't want to pass on a business with debt. 

This cart can be the start, the start of larger DREAM, the trailer. As we test it out, we can design it in such way that it can serve as a model of the trailer, we could also test out different systems for each employee (smoothie maker cashier, etc.), how we arrange the equipment, and we could even begin by designing the trailer for only two smoothie makers--starting small--to see how efficient we can be. It's a great way to simulate what we will experience in the trailer. Nothing is a RISK here. If we find flaws in the cart, the design, or the system we've design we can pivot and afford to change these flaws as the cart is only S/.5000. As we understand more what it means to work in a permanent location we will gain a better perspective to design the IDEAL trailer that suits the systems we've invented to work, we can approach this CHALLENGE with a more ORIENTED and C R E A T I V E MINDEST. Additionally, for now, the remaining money can be used to support and finally establish the core of BlendZ, what truly gives meaning to our company, Habla BlendZ. By risking all our money we will not only use all the capital we've earned, but we won't be able to afford innovations or support Habla Blendz. 

We are not the only ones who are starting SMALL every business at one point was SMALL. For example even Tony's Cafe, they just established their first permanent location in Pentagonito and their current location is something very similar to how our cart will look, expect with no wheels. They've had more experience and time in their business and they are still progressing small. Our challenge is to embark BlendZ in this journey and begin to pivot with the location. We shouldn't discard the idea of the trailer, but we should look at it as an ultimate goal once we've solved every known aspect of the business and established Habla BlendZ. So, let's begin by eating the first piece of the hamburger, by tackling our first goal, to later continue munching piece by piece until we've eaten the entire hamburger--reached our ultimate goal: the trailer. 

We currently live in a world that is running on a treadmill. TIME has become our most important asset. People and companies are investing research and money to create infinite technologies and innovations that will help us move EXPEDITIOUSLY—in order to achieve more tasks in less time. The reasoning behind this IMPATIENT MINDSET, we’ve adopted, is that the more we speed up things—things that are slow by nature—the more we’ll accomplish. “It’s like every day is a race against the clock (Honoré)” because we’ve forgotten how to take a pause.

With Mocks around the corner I’ve felt the pressure to stop my relaxation mood I carried around in January and study for long periods during the week. So, my February routine, so far, has gone like this: I wake up early in the morning (at around 7:30am-8:00am) exercise, study Math and Biology until lunch time, then I either go to an appointment or meeting, work on other things related to school, go to my driving lessons, read or study for my driving exam, and sometimes meet up with my family or friends.  Yes, my days are FULL and sometimes I don’t even get the chance to COMPLETE everything that I planned for the day. My head goes at 100km/hr. It’s only Thursday, the fifth day of the month, and my brain is EXHAUSTED. Even though I’ve done a great deal, it feels like I haven’t accomplished anything, especially in my studying because I don’t feel I’m retaining the information. We are in mid-summer vacation and all of a sudden I sense that back to school mood where I forget what taking a   B R E A K truly means. As I look back to January I’ve realized how despite having AGITATED week days during the weekends, when I'm at the at the beach, the days felt longer and I was able to experience the meaning of a break. WHY? Because I wasn't doing thousands of things and running around all day.

As I HUSTLE through my February days I feel unproductive, although I’m trying to do the opposite. A few days ago I read an article that talked about how the MORE we commit the LESS we accomplish. The author of the article mentioned how

This is exactly what happened to me, I was forgetting to EMBRACE and CLINCH those important summer moments. MORE is not always MORE, and MORE is not always better; the more we try to take on the less productive we are and the more burned out we become. Therefore, today, I forced myself to S T O P, to stop doing, and take that pause. As much as I want to get most of my studying done over vacation, overwhelming my days and waking up earlier to have more time to WORK won’t help me enjoy my summer break and memories as I need to, after a long head breaking semester. Therefore, I’ve decided to quit this CULTURE OF SPEED that I’ve forced myself into, and I will take on less everyday to seize what is important and accomplish more work carefully. 

STILLNESS is hard to attain, but once you manage to REACH that state you realize how much you miss out when you R U N. When accelerating through my studying I wasn’t absorbing anything because I was jumping from one point to the next and from one subject to another. The less we do the more ATTENTIVE we are and the more we ABSORB. Therefore, by focusing on fewer things for shorter periods of time my brain will be able to grasp better. Furthermore, when you focus on less you are able to appreciate the moment at a higher level. Doesn’t it happen to you that when you go to a party, to a friends house, or a place you are always looking at the clock because you want to know how much time you have left--you don’t want to leave soon. Well the more you pay attention to time the faster it passes because your head is RACING. When I go to the beach, I completely forget about everything and focus on myself, my days seem longer and it feels that I accomplish more. When I go to the beach I take these long pauses that fill me up with joy and let me seize the moment.  So for the rest of the summer, I will stop racing and pace myself to accomplish what I set myself up to no time, but I will also STOP to enjoy those small moments in life.