Being an artist means everything to me. It allows me the opportunity to express myself in ways my words cannot. I have been an avid violin player for almost 11 years, starting in 4th grade and continuing into my sophomore year of college. That was my first encounter with thinking of art as a form of expression. Through music, I found I could convey emotions better than through my own words. From there, I began to record my own music, setting up a home studio in my bedroom. The music I began making was raw and very personal, giving listeners a glimpse into my life with my lyrics explaining how I felt. I found it was easier to explain how I was feeling over a 3-minute instrumental than I ever could talking to someone. I really want to make music to help people in the same capacity many of my favorite artists helped me. They found a way to put my feelings into words. I want to be the voice people can relate to and talk about things that I find really important. For example, in mainstream rap music (until recently), it was considered taboo to express feelings of sadness and depression. Those who talked about their feelings were perceived as “soft” and “vulnerable.” It was always about flexing on “the haters” through your money, jewelry, and women. Earlier mainstream rap music promoted violence and was a catalyst to hate among rap groups and rappers. Many artists began to challenge that mindset and toxicity in the past few years with artists such as Kid Cudi, Xxxtentacion, and Juice WRLD. To name a few, they have really challenged that stigma in the rap industry. I have always wanted it to be my mission to help as many people as I can. If I can help people through my music, I will always strive to make an impact with every lyric I write. To achieve this dream, I plan to finish my Business Marketing major at Kansas State University (as debt-free as possible). I chose Business Marketing because I believe that the music industry is 80% about your branding and marketing, and only 20% everything else. The goal is to get people to buy into me and really believe in who I say I can become. From there, I want to move to Los Angeles to connect and network with people in that industry. I need the help of people who understand the industry and have big connections. I know that through my family, my faith, and my determination, I can make all my dreams a reality

Being an artist means everything to me. It allows me the opportunity to express myself in ways my words cannot. I have been an avid violin player for almost 11 years, starting in 4th grade and continuing into my sophomore year of college. That was my first encounter with thinking of art as a form of expression. Through music, I found I could convey emotions better than through my own words. From there, I began to record my own music, setting up a home studio in my bedroom. The music I began making was raw and very personal, giving listeners a glimpse into my life with my lyrics explaining how I felt. I found it was easier to explain how I was feeling over a 3-minute instrumental than I ever could talking to someone. I really want to make music to help people in the same capacity many of my favorite artists helped me. They found a way to put my feelings into words. I want to be the voice people can relate to and talk about things that I find really important. For example, in mainstream rap music (until recently), it was considered taboo to express feelings of sadness and depression. Those who talked about their feelings were perceived as “soft” and “vulnerable.” It was always about flexing on “the haters” through your money, jewelry, and women. Earlier mainstream rap music promoted violence and was a catalyst to hate among rap groups and rappers. Many artists began to challenge that mindset and toxicity in the past few years with artists such as Kid Cudi, Xxxtentacion, and Juice WRLD. To name a few, they have really challenged that stigma in the rap industry. I have always wanted it to be my mission to help as many people as I can. If I can help people through my music, I will always strive to make an impact with every lyric I write. To achieve this dream, I plan to finish my Business Marketing major at Kansas State University (as debt-free as possible). I chose Business Marketing because I believe that the music industry is 80% about your branding and marketing, and only 20% everything else. The goal is to get people to buy into me and really believe in who I say I can become. From there, I want to move to Los Angeles to connect and network with people in that industry. I need the help of people who understand the industry and have big connections. I know that through my family, my faith, and my determination, I can make all my dreams a reality

When I think about my role model, I think of someone who has big thoughts, pushes the boundaries of what I think is possible, helps others to think big thoughts, and encourages collaboration among people who may not look alike, but have a common purpose. This type of individual is rare. This person is my dad, Negil McPherson Jr. My dad is at the upper limits of middle age. He graduated from college with Biology and Chemistry degrees in his early twenties. He chose two hard degrees for college. He went back to college as a graduate student to get his Master of Business Administration (MBA) five years ago as one of the older students in his class. He worked hard and got good grades. His work ethic, determination, and dedication are all things he personified in his pursuit and completion of a master’s degree, despite holding a full-time job and having a family. This made me realize the importance of working hard in school. I saw him go to work, commit weekends to attending school, and staying up late hours to write papers and study. This was a positive example for me because he added school and studying to an already busy schedule. His decision to work towards his master’s degree at his age and not quitting has shown me that I can accomplish anything regardless of age or any other obstacles in my way. It taught me to finish what I started… And to be excellent in all academic endeavors. My dad worked as a chemist for the government with a good understanding of the periodic table, chemical equations, and the use of chemistry in everyday situations. Which is impressive to me because even with all my hours of studying, chemistry was still difficult for me. He also worked as an educator and an Omaha Public Schools administrator. He now works for a company with 11,000 employees; he travels around the world solving people issues on projects. My dad connected his education with a full-time job that allowed him to use what he learned in school. My dad has had a positive impact on the community as an Omaha Public Schools Administrator who seems to know lots of students, former students, and parents who trust him. When traveling or working in the community, people of all ages come up to talk with my dad. His students, even though many are in their twenties and thirties still contact my dad for advice or help. His talking with people and knowing their names shows me the importance of building relationships. His travel around the world reminds me that I must learn a foreign language to build multicultural relationships and understand other cultures. I work hard in Spanish class as my dad mentioned knowing Spanish helped him to communicate with people in Italy and Romania. My dad is very active in church and the community. At church, my dad does some teaching of Sunday School classes. He is active with the youth and marriage ministries. He was a Scout Master for many years and leads three boards of directors. Even though he is busy, he found time to work 14 days in Cluj, Romania building houses for Habitat for Humanity. My dad and grandpa have also taken me to church, Pilgrim Baptist Church, for as long as I can remember. The church and my faith in God have helped lead me down the path of righteousness and kept me out of trouble. Whenever I felt down or felt alone, the church was always helping me and leading me in the right direction. Whenever I have participated in an event or received awards, my fellow church members have been there to support me, cheer me on, and congratulate me. Therefore, I am grateful for my dad and grandpa for their deep faith in God; I pray some of those good qualities rub off on me. My dad is also a self-proclaimed lover of 1970’s music. He used to play the piano at home and church. My family has always had music in our home. I have a music ministry where I play my violin with my younger brother for senior citizens in nursing homes and care facilities. It helps them to forget even for a little while their aches and pains while enjoying the mood it creates. Being able to use my musical talent for seniors makes me feel good because they seem to appreciate the music and it soothes their pains. I gave you a bit of background about my dad so you would know some of the things he has accomplished. His accomplishments have changed my thinking, behavior, and how I approach people. My dad has encouraged me to be the best me possible and shaped me into the person I am today. He has given me much to think about which has over time provided me with wisdom, applied knowledge. I have many friends whose fathers are not there for them as they bailed or left; my dad he has been there and has not left. I appreciate him more today than even yesterday. He has been an inspiration to me and many others. He taught me through his actions, life is not about what others can do for you. Many times, it is about what you can do for others.

The small business community is an integral part of society today. Typically, small businesses foster local economies, keeping money close to home and supporting neighborhoods and communities. Though that may be what they do at an economic level, I personally enjoy them because I feel I have the chance to build more personable relationship with employees than if I’m using a chain name brand store. My love for small businesses was built through my mother. She worked for the City of Omaha in the tourism department and had to attract out of state visits to locally owned businesses. Many of the businesses she worked to promote were local restaurants, boutiques, and different shops. She always worked to encourage me to shop locally with most of my needs because "small businesses help make the world go round.” I try to eat at many small business, and one my favorite thrift stores is a small business that is down the street from my house. One of my best experiences with a small business was a locally owned restaurant named “Stirnellas,” a bar and kitchen in the Blackstone District in Omaha. For my Prom Night (my junior year, senior year was cancelled), I decided I wanted to take my date someone local for our evening and my mom suggested trying to eat locally. I was skeptical at first but agreed to it and chose Stirnella. Reflecting back now, I feel I had the best experience as a customer that day than any other restaurant I’ve been to in a long time. The employees were energetic, greeted me by first name, and made the start to a wonderful evening. As I’m looking back on my experience while writing this paper, I think I would have to agree with my mom on the fact that “small businesses make the world go ‘round.” In terms of my own business, though I’m majoring in business marketing, I have no plans to start my own business. Even though being a traditional entrepreneur isn’t in my immediate future or part of my future plan, I am still working to try and build a brand. To elaborate, I want to make a career out of music and to do so I have to build a brand. Many of the same principles that entrepreneurs apply to building a business are the same ones I’m applying to market my music and build a fanbase. Though not exactly the same I feel they relate.