Episode 5

Importance of Immersive Learning

Featuring	Kemisha Swan, Owner and CEO Miss Swan Perfect BBQ Sauce; Laura Jaeger, Loyola Alum; Stacy Neier Beran, Senior Ignatian Lecturer
Description	Stacy Neier Beran, senior Ignatian lecturer in marketing, speaks with a former student and a former client about their immersive learning experience in Quinlan’s Microenterprise course.
Listen	Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Season	Season 5

Transcript

Speaker1: From the Loyola Quinlan School of Business. You're listening to the Q Talks podcast.

Stacy Neier Beran: Hello everyone. Thank you so much for joining Q talks. My name is Stacey Neier Beran and I am a senior lecturer in our Department of Marketing and I am so thrilled to convene this conversation with dear friends and colleagues and true difference makers within our Loyola community. Each spring I teach the Micro-Enterprise Consulting course, and this course is high impact. Every year we bring clients to our graduate and undergraduate student consultants to develop full scale business plans. And this is such a special class because of the hands on relationships that are built between the student consultants and the clients. This really is a part of how we operate within an experiential, engaged learning context. And really because we are a Jesuit institution, we do experiential learning better than anybody else out there because of our Jesuit values. So it's interesting to note, too, we are actually having this conversation during Ignatian Heritage Month. So it's November. It's really a time for us to reflect on the action that we've taken throughout the year, and we know that this year has been quite the year. So I'm really thrilled to be able to introduce everybody to two people who have made such a difference in a huge year, 2020. So I am delighted to invite into the conversation Laura Jaeger, who is a class of 2020 MBA graduate, and Kemisha Swan, who is the owner of Miss Swan's Perfect BBQ sauce, one of our microenterprise clients for spring of 2020. Laura and Nisha, thank you guys for joining. Yay!

Kemisha Swan: I'm super excited. Thank you for having us.

Laura Jaeger: Yeah, happy to be here.

Stacy Neier Beran: Thank you. It is so awesome to be able to celebrate everything that you accomplish throughout the year, especially knowing that spring of 2020 class really was an experience for all of us. So we'll kind of talk through that. But let's, let's start with your background. So tell us who you are, what you do, and then we'll kind of piece together how you guys met in micro-enterprise. Can you do you want to start? Sure.

Kemisha Swan: Hi, everyone. My name is Kemisha Swan. I am. Just to give you a little bit of background about myself, I'm the third oldest of seven. I was born in Chicago. However, I moved to Evanston at the age of 12 after being taken away from my biological parents due to neglect and drug addiction. However, I was fortunate enough to move with a foster family in Evanston who really pushed my education and just taught me the value of family. So with that being said, I was the first in my family to graduate from college. I attended Northeastern Illinois University and I majored in criminal justice and social work. And I now work for Evanston School District 65. I have two amazing children, eight and two. I'm currently married. I've been married for going on nine years. And lastly, I am the proud owner of Ms. Swan's perfect barbecue sauce.

Stacy Neier Beran: Oh, my goodness. Yeah, we have something to talk about.

Kemisha Swan: Yes.

Stacy Neier Beran: Thank you. Laura, what about you? Give us some of your background. What have you been up to? What are you working on now that you've finished classes to you graduated?

Laura Jaeger: Yeah. So my name is Laura Jeager. I am a recent graduate from Loyola's MBA program with a concentration in marketing. I currently work at Quorn Foods. That's who you are. And Foods. It's a vegetarian and vegan food company in downtown Chicago and was just really excited to be a part of this micro enterprise class and be able to bring some of the experiences that I've had working in consumer packaged goods to help commission and really sort of help bring her business plan to life.

Stacy Neier Beran: Perfectly put, it makes me want to do the class over again, even. Well, thinking back for me and Kemisha, hearing you say that you have a two year old, when we first met you, you had a one year old. So we met about a year ago. It was right around, I think December 2019. And we met through Sherry Murano at the Park Business Alliance. And Sherry and RPA really are the liaisons between how our student consultants meet clients like you. So I remember Sherry emailed me and said, Stacy, what do you think of barbecue sauce? And I thought, you know, I'm from Missouri. I like barbecue. So so instantly we connected and several email exchanges later we met on a very, very, very cold January day.

Kemisha Swan: Yes, I remember that.

Stacy Neier Beran: And so we were in Rogers Park and told me her story and it was an absolute match to bring you into the micro-enterprise consulting class. So when we met, I ultimately invited you to be a part of the class, and then I met with Laura and her other student consultants on Wednesday nights. And as Laura described, her background, particularly within the food space, made so much sense to match with what your vision and goals were for Miss Swan. So I guess we all have Rogers Park Business Alliance to thank for introducing us and bringing this together.

Kemisha Swan: Yes. I am so happy that I met you and Sherry. You guys have been and Laura, you guys have been just life changing for me and my business. So thank you.

Stacy Neier Beran: And that's where this type of relationship building in particularly graduate school business courses doesn't always happen. So we'll talk more about that. But let's come back to I'd love for everyone to learn more about how you identified the opportunity for Ms. Swans. Tell us about your business plan, how it started and really what led you to have a consulting team led by Laura come into play?

Kemisha Swan: Well, okay, so let me just back up. If so, if someone would have told me that I would be like a business owner for barbecue sauce, I don't know ten years ago, I would have told them that you are absolutely crazy. So I always like to cook. Even when I was going through foster care, that was an outlet for me. I would be in the kitchen and despite everything that was going on around me, I would just gravitate to the kitchen and just make up different recipes. So moving forward, like I said, I'm currently married, so my husband and I, we decided to take a trip to Houston with the kids. And don't get me wrong, I love sweet baby rays. However, I wanted to create my own sauce because I'm like, here is like some ribs. We got some fabulous ribs we cooked and I need a good sauce to go with it. So I went in the kitchen and I just literally just start putting together ingredients. So make a long story short, his family was like, Oh, OMG, like, who made this sauce like that? You know, where can I buy it? So I'm like, Hmm. So that gave me an idea to just pursue, you know, just turning my barbecue sauce into a business. So I, we went home and I started researching, like, okay, what do I need first? How do I, you know, create a barbecue sauce and like put it in into a bottle? But I need a manufacturing company. So that's sort of how Ms. Was perfect barbecue sauce came into existence. And I knew that, you know, by doing my research, I knew that I needed if I wanted a loan or, you know, investors and things like that, I knew that I needed a business plan. So, yeah. And I reached out to one of my friends who actually took the Loyola course, and she told me about your course. So I reached out to you, and that's when things just started happening.

Stacy Neier Beran: Well, and as a marketer, I always love a word of mouth referral. And so it's really so special that you were able to be a part of micro-enterprise based on the niece and other microenterprise clients. So we always think of microenterprise as such a magic place that truly becomes family within the Loyola community. So I love that story that's flying around how we met. So now let's flash forward to when you met Laura. So you had in some ways the workings of a business plan, but you and Laura would have met in late February of 2020 maybe. Let's talk a little bit about really those early surprises, the early obstacles. Laura, how did you really bring Kemisha into a consultative relationship?

Laura Jaeger: So we were fortunate that we were still able to meet in person. This was before COVID hit us, and I remember our first meeting was in the Loyola Library, and just from the moment I met you, I could just feel your warmth. I could feel just your positive attitude. And I was like, I know this is going to be a good working relationship. It was great from the start. But yeah, so we were fortunate to kind of start off our partnership in person, really get a feel for what you wanted, what your vision for Ms. Swan's was. And I think that really helped us kind of set the foundation for then when we transitioned everything to online and Zoom very, very fortunate that we still had that in-person component to it to start off with.

Stacy Neier Beran: Yeah, it sounds like such a luxury now to have that in-person component.

Kemisha Swan: Yeah, I know.

Stacy Neier Beran: We'll get there one day. We will. And there will be plenty of barbecue sauce to celebrate.

Kemisha Swan: Yay! I can't. I can't wait til that time, Stacy.

Stacy Neier Beran: Counting down the three of us will be the hosts of that party. So you had somewhat of a business plan in place, but can you tell us a little bit about the challenges and sort of the obstacles that you were facing? How did the class how did Laura's consultative leadership really help get Ms. Swan to its next steps?

Kemisha Swan: So the first business plan that I had, I wouldn't call it a business plan, but whatever, because I felt like that even though I hired someone to do the business plan, it didn't go how I expected it to go. And I just felt like that the business plan was all over the place, you know, it was just everywhere. So, you know, working with Lauren and the team and the whole micro-enterprise team, I just felt like that when we came, when I met them and they sat me down and you know, we literally just sketched out everything, like, what was my goals? What do I want out of this, this whole experience? What is my goal for Ms. Swan's perfect barbecue sauce. Like it was just literally like a layout. Like I felt like once they, they brought my ideas to existence pretty much.

Stacy Neier Beran: It's so, it's so cool to think about just how it can activate and come to life off of a mapped out, probably Google Doc. How did you sort of approach this? I think it's so easy for us to say, let's brainstorm and ideate and let's get these visions. But sometimes as business people, we also need structure and we need formulas and we need equations. And a supply chain product is not an easy inventory to manage. So Laura, how did you come in to help me to build out on this existing framework to come into a bigger, more robust business plan?

Laura Jaeger: Yeah. So I just want to say, first of all, how grateful I am for the rest of the team. All of us worked so well together. And Stacy, you did a really great job of sort of matching people together that have really different set of backgrounds so that our team was really well balanced. So I have to give a quick shout out to my other team members. So George, a Javier, Maria and Jorge, you wouldn't have been possible without you guys. I mean, our different skill sets complemented each other so well. They were really great, kind of brought to the table, sort of the finance and operations and supply chain where I was able to really focus on the marketing plan. So yeah, it was just a really great team effort and being able to sort of refine, as I was saying, some of the ideas that she already had. And honestly she had a lot already figured out. She had already found a manufacturer. She was already sort of designing a logo, designing the label, and it was really just sort of bringing our heads together and sort of refining it a little bit. But I have to give kudos to you, Kemisha, too, because you really did--everything was there. We just kind of helped push it to the finish line.

Kemisha Swan: I mean, Stacy, you. You did like honestly, I can't even explain what I'm trying to say. Like, you did such an amazing job as far as putting together this team. And like Laura said, like, everyone just brought something unique to the team, whether it been marketing finances, you know, they created like a spreadsheet for me that I could easily, you know, when they're out the picture that I could easily go to and look at and things like that. So I like after the class, I if my husband was here now, like he would say, Oh my God. Like she talked about this for like at least a month. Like how amazing, how amazing of a job that they did. So I thank you so much. I think all of you guys.

Stacy Neier Beran: I know we are recording and no one can see, but I do want to tear up right now. I really do. And that here's the thing. I know you're not supposed to be speechless on a podcast. I am speechless. It's just this class and the way that we can come together to really make differences for business and society and all of our ways of really living out our values, this class just brings it all together. And here I am saying, let's host a party when we all get back together. I really think of my role in the micro-enterprise class really is the host. My big role is to introduce Laura and George and George my and Marissa and Javier. My role is to introduce them to you as a client and then just take it and run with it. So I'm so grateful this collaboration came together. Here's the thing, too, and I know we don't often talk about this team size matters and six consultants for one client. It's not just one but to have six consultants yeah I think we get tripped up and how big a team can get but this team, Laura's team really did come together with all of the different skill sets and specialty areas and expertise. It was such a joy to watch. Thank you both. That was so wonderful. There's so many other things we can celebrate with this, too. I'm really curious to know if there was a defining moment of the collaboration. So here we are. You guys meet in person four or five weeks later, we all get online. We finish out the class in an online environment. Was there one defining moment that you can think of?

Kemisha Swan: I think when I first met Laura, I don't know. Don't get me wrong. Like the other team, the rest of the team members were absolutely wonderful, you know? But I just felt like an instant connection with Laura. She was easy to talk to, no question was dumb. And then I guess the defining moment was, I don't know, probably because she was taking another marketing class, so she had to do like a project for her marketing class. And she was like, Hmm, Kemisha, would you be interested in us using your-- And I'm like, Yes! So it was like she was all, you know, thinking about me and my business and how to get to the next step, you know? So, so, yeah, that was the defining moment for me, you know, just, you know, just being honored for her to even think about Ms. Swan's Perfect barbecue sauce.

Stacy Neier Beran: So that's awesome. Can you talk more about how you expanded? So the scope of microenterprise is really to develop this business plan, but you didn't stop there. Tell us more about that.

Laura Jaeger: Yeah, honestly, it kind of worked out perfectly. I also happened to be taking a digital marketing class, and with that class we were able to sort of design the website and come up with a social media strategy and really make sure that Kemisha's e-commerce platform was ready to go. So it honestly, yeah, everything just kind of fell into place where I saw an opportunity where we could really focus both of the projects on Ms. Swan's perfect barbecue sauce. And I'm just so thankful we were able to do that and help Kemisha to sort of build out those assets. And really e-commerce now especially is so important with everything that's been going on. So yeah, it worked out really well and I was just so happy to be able to spend more time with Kemisha and really be able to help bring her vision to life.

Stacy Neier Beran: And I think that's really such an incredible differentiation of how we can take on these classes. As I said, to get queued up. We really strive for experiential hands on, high impact, engaged learning classes, and that's all a lot of jargon for. We can make a difference and it does not have to come from a textbook, it does not have to come from a journal article. All of those assets are great, but nothing replaces the relationship that you can build and consult with needs of a business owner, particularly when we want to practice this business acumen that we're we're going to school for. So this is it's just such a win win.

Kemisha Swan: Yeah.

Stacy Neier Beran: And honestly, just knowing that you could expand it into a website, the website typically is not always a part of the business plan. And so that that asset, I imagine, has helped with, as Laura said, a lot of continued growth.

Kemisha Swan: Oh, God. Yes.

Stacy Neier Beran: Kemisha, catch us up. How is the business going? Theres Some pretty explosive updates from what I understand. Fill us in.

Kemisha Swan: So, okay, where do I start? So, you know, with the COVID and everything, I've been very fortunate that my customers have been loyal. You know, for the first month when I launched, I think it was in June, I think I got over, I don't know, probably like I have to look at the spreadsheet, but I think I got over 300 sales within one within one month. And so another thing is so every month since I've launched, I've been consistent in giving to the foster agency that I grew up in, You Can, so every month we've been giving part of the proceeds to You Can. And so that's that's been good. And then also lastly, I'm really excited about this. Okay. So lastly, I over the summer I participated in two competitions and one of the competitions I just got word on my birthday November 2nd that I placed top three. So I was number three. I was number three out of and they told me that it was over 800 contestants. So I am super happy that I placed number three. So they told me that the awards will be coming out in the first week of January and that I was going to receive a trophy and things like that. So I'm like, I'm super excited. So that's one thing that I can put on my resume for Miss Swan's perfect barbecue sauce.

Stacy Neier Beran: And it's on your birthday.

Kemisha Swan: Yes, that was. Oh, my God. That was like the best gift ever. I, I just some told me to just look at my email and I just seen like the heading Scoville Award winner. So I opened it up and they said, yay, congratulations. You actually, I placed in two categories. Number three, I placed in a wing sauce and then the traditional barbecue sauce. So yeah, kudos to Miss Swan's.

Stacy Neier Beran: Yay, Miss Swans! And I mean, Laura, how does that make you feel hearing that after you developed this business plan and the website and the logo branding supporting that?

Laura Jaeger: Oh, my gosh, I'm so happy. I'm so proud of Kemisha, but I can't say that I'm surprised. I mean, after tasting it, it is seriously so delicious. I'm just not surprised that it won that award.

Stacy Neier Beran: That is 800 entries. That is a saturated market in business terms. But that's just a lot of barbecue sauce.

Kemisha Swan: That is a lot of barbecue sauce. They told me that when I talked to Emily, who's over the competition, she because you know what? At first I wasn't even going to do the competition because when I read about it and I read how many contestants always enter into this particular barbecue sauce in New Mexico. I'm like, there's no way I'm a place if thousands of people entering or whatever. But she and she was like, you know what? Just give it a try. You know, enter at least two categories. That way, your chances of winning is greater. So that's what I did. And I just. Yeah, and they happen.

Stacy Neier Beran: Good for you. That is. That is some very happy November news. Without a doubt.

Stacy Neier Beran: I would love to know what's ahead then. So that's kind of the big update, what is ahead, but what keeps you motivated to keep moving ahead with the brands, with the manufacturing, with the growth of e-commerce from the website board design, what motivates you to keep going?

Kemisha Swan: Well, what motivates me is the fact, number one is I'm able to give back in the process of doing something that I absolutely love. And then also my customers like, you know, when I get a message from one of my customers, oh my God, this is the best barbecue sauce that I've ever tasted like that keeps me motivated to just want to keep going because, you know, I'm not going to lie at first it was really challenging in the beginning because with the COVID, I'm like, Oh gosh, how am I going to get the brand out there? How am I going to, you know, everything that I plan on going to like the festivals and the barbecues, like who's going to know about Miss Swan's perfect barbecue sauce. But then, you know, once you see the sales going up, you know, and then you win competitions, you know that it's a good sauce. So that's what keeps me motivated is my customers, the fact that we're able to give back every month and win an award.

Stacy Neier Beran: That's awesome. Well, and to Laura's point, yeah, it is not surprising because I guarantee any listener to this recorded episode can feel your passion right through the audience, absolutely vibrating. And so it's incredible to hear that motivation.

Kemisha Swan: Oh, thank you.

Stacy Neier Beran : I've got a couple more questions for both of you and then we'll wrap up. I'm really curious to really recognize, again, Laura's major contribution, the team's major contribution was this business plan. You know, as a business owner, what do you want other business owners to know about having a business plan? And Laura, any advice on how to really embrace the business planning process? Maybe Kemisha we'll start with you.

Kemisha Swan: Okay. So I know this is going to sound a little crazy, but I think of a business plan like a highway that's going to help you get to your destination. So and, you know, a business plan is beneficial in so many ways. You know, if you're looking for any type of funding along investors, it's a great tool to track your progress and also to keep up with your goals. So yeah, and any business owner out there, I have three things that I want to share with you. Number one is never stop satisfying your customers. Your customers, they're going to tell you the truth, whether they like it, so just take heed to their advice is not to be mean or anything like that, but just, you know, just listen to your customers. Number two, the harder you work, the luckier you are. So you have to put in work, you know, anything that you are passionate about, you have to do the work. And lastly, never give up. You know, there there's going to be times where there's going to be great days, not so great days, but remember, never give up. And if you dream it, you can achieve it.

Stacy Neier Beran: Those are words to live by. We all needed to hear that business owners and non-business owners Kemisha, thank you. Laura, what do you think? Just talk us through. Advice on how do you approach the business plan process? What advice would you have for other students who are taking on this consultative relationship with the clients?

Laura Jaeger: I don't know how I can follow that. That was such good advice. So inspiring. But yeah, advice for, you know, sort of following the business plan. I would just, you know, make sure to be open to revisions. I know the world has changed so much since May when we finalized it. So just you know, it is as you said, it's a roadmap, but that can always shift. So just make sure, you know, you're shifting based on what you've learned so far. But to any other student who is thinking about taking the class, I mean, honestly, it this truly was a highlight of my MBA program. It was just so enriching to really sort of feel a little bit connected to the Rogers Park community and have a chance to meet Kemisha and also to, you know, Kemisha and I have continued our relationship after the class, which is really special. So that has been something that really warms my heart. And I love hearing business updates from Kemisha and I love being able to continue to offer advice. So yeah, if you're considering taking the class, definitely don't hesitate to do it. And also you'll have an amazing professor. Seriously, your energy, your enthusiasm, your compassion for all the students and for all of the clients. It's just so amazing. So a big thing.

Kemisha Swan: Really amazing. Yeah. Your energy is really amazing, Stacy. And, you know, you, you just bring such light and joy to microenterprise and like Laura said, our relationship continue after the course. I you know, I boldly asked Laura, you know what? Can you please be my mentor? So she said, yes. So we you know, you know, we don't talk every day or week or and sometimes if I don't hear or she doesn't hear, we'll check in with each other and I'll just give her updates of how the business is going. And you know, even right after the course, I had a couple of questions and I'm like, Oh, because, you know, once you do it yourself and you don't have like six people working with you, it's kind of scary. So Laura was there in my corner like, okay, this is what you do. If I had any additional questions about the website and how to navigate that, she was there. And, you know, even the fact that she was in school, she was still answering and helping my questions. So, I mean, it was just a great course and I am so honored to have been a part of microenterprise. Like, I can't even thank you guys enough. Like, if I had a million barbecue sauces, I would give it to you guys.

Speaker1: I cannot begin to thank you for sharing your time and your vision and your talent with Q talks, but more importantly, just with our entire Loyola community, the story just thinking that you are still in connection in a meaningful way, that I mean, that really is the dream of microenterprise that the business owner and the consultants would long beyond this artificial 15 week semester or ten week quarter that that you would have a way and a continued relationship. And so hearing that has thrived even with everything else that has happened this year, I mean, that is truly transformative. And it makes me that much more motivated to continue these types of client engagements in our classes. I truly know that each of you has this, as we always say in microenterprise, and you both have heard me say this before, but I'm going to say it anyway. This whole idea of having heads for business and hearts for the world and you both don't just stop there, you put hands to action. And I really do know in my heart that is the best way forward for all of us to stay connected and be together in challenges and obstacles and more importantly, in the celebrations of everything you both have achieved today. Really so remarkable. I am so inspired by both of you and I only wish we could share barbecue together right now.

Kemisha Swan: I know we will soon. We will soon.

Stacy Neier Beran: Well, oh, my gosh. Yes, we will.

Speaker1: Thank you both so, so much. Can we trouble you? I will share your website and make sure that people who are listening know where to find you, too

Kemisha Swan: Yeah, absolutely. My website is Swan's barbecue dot com. So is s.w.a.n. Bbc.com.

Stacy Neier Beran: Awesome. So much for being a part of the Loyola family and certainly a part of the micro-enterprise community. I'm grateful for both of you.

Kemisha Swan: Oh, thank you so much, Stacy. We really appreciate it.

Speaker5: This has been an episode of the Q Talks podcast where we seek to marry the wisdom of the Quinlan community with the issues of today. Special thanks to our guests for their conversation and insight with additional thanks to Dean Kevin Stevens for his generous support of this project. Matt Shiley, our student producer for editing this episode, Loyola School of Communication and WLUW for their continued collaboration. Please take a minute to support us by rating and reviewing our episodes to help expand our reach. Thank you for listening and we hope you join us next time.