|
 |
|
Beth Carls
CEO and Board Chairman
MindOH!
|
|
|
Bio:
As a marketer, small business owner, public company founder, and social entrepreneur, I helped found MindOH! to encourage individuals to create their own brand of genius. I believe that all people have within them the inner resources necessary for the development of strong character and a healthy self-concept.
My previous entrepreneurial ventures included co-founding a Houston Internet consulting firm that was the fastest growing private company in Houston from 1996-1999 - growing 8164%. I retired from the consulting firm I helped take public in 1999 and within one month was working with my five fellow co-founders to start MindOH!, a socially and fiscally responsible elearning company.
My experience as a national marketer, board member and consultant to Fortune 1000 companies gives me the background to give MindOH! the contacts, leadership, management and vision needed to make the company a nationally recognized leader in the field of eCharacter Education.
I received my BBA from Sam Houston State University and MBA from Abilene Christian University. I'm currently a member of the practitioner faculty of the University of Phoenix Online, teaching courses in marketing and public relations.
Community involvement:
In the past, I've volunteered or contributed to a number of area organizations - such as, FotoFest, United Way, The Women's Home, and Human Rights Fund.
My focus is much bigger now through the Inner Circle of the Enlightened Millionaire Institute. The goals are global - such as, reducing hunger, saving our oceans, and eliminating poverty. No challenge is too big for us.
Person most admired:
My grandmother, affectionately called "Love", served as a great role model in many ways. She took over ownership of a department store in the small town of San Augustine, TX with two young children under the ages of 10 when her husband died in the 1940's. She was an awesome saleswoman but always had time for her family and civic responsibilities. She had a fantastic positive attitude which caused her to live within 6 weeks of her 100th birthday before she died in January 2004.
Favorite book:
The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen. It?s a guide for how to be successful (and you can define success) while being enlightened (helping others).
What I enjoy most about my work:
Variety in my roles, flexibility in my schedule, the challenges in this industry, constant learning, and making a difference in the world. There is nothing more rewarding than to have a socially responsible business that benefits its customers, its community and its employees.
Greatest accomplishment:
My two sons. In spite of discrimination and divorce issues we all had to overcome when they were young, we have grown alot together. My second greatest accomplishment has been to get them both into the University of Texas where they are thriving. I'm so proud to be their mother.
Greatest challenge:
My greatest challenge - learning to be successful in the education industry after a successful career in Corporate America. There are a lot of dedicated, talented people in this field. I?ve seen first hand how much stronger our education system will be when we all work together ? students, parents, educators, for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Advances I envision in my field over the next 10 years:
There will be major paradigm shifts in education in the next few years because of technology and the Internet. There has to be. The inefficiencies in our current system will destroy it. Effectively, there have been no major changes in how we teach our students for the past 100 years.
Strategies to maintain balance in my life:
Healthy eating, exercise, and meditation. Do I always do these - no. But I always strive to because I know I'm most effective when all parts of my life are working in top condition. Maybe by the time I retire I'll have this figured out ;-)
Advice for emerging entrepreneurs:
Tip #1: Don't shy away from making mistakes - the only failures are when you don't learn from your mistakes.
Tip #2: Don't be afraid to ask for whatever you need - every "no" is one step closer to a "yes".
Tip #3: Make sure that you're doing what you love - passion always wins out over skill.
 back to top
|
|
