All you have to do is download a free app on your smartphone which is called a “scanner” or “QR reader”, which gives you the ability to literally “take a picture” of these funny looking squares filled with what looks like random dots. However, once you scan it (even on your computer moniter—go ahead and give it a try!), all of our company’s vital information pops up on your phone. You can see our website, address, email, phone number, and even GPS location which can be used in any mapping program your phone has. You can then save us on your master Contact list, which is a great way for our clients to have all of our information at the tip of their fingertips in case they are out on an install and need some assistance from us.

We strive to stay ahead of the game here at Rent What? Inc., and utilizing new technology has proven to be a great way for us to do that.

This award is granted to businesses that demonstrate dedication, hard work, and stimulation of economic growth in the United States.  Pretty exciting to know that we have been recognized alongside such amazing companies as Dell and IBM!

Though the focus of the class is on theatrical lighting, it is important that lighting designers be familiar with the many types of stage drapes, as the style and fabric of drapery can impact and be impacted by the lighting design.  Megan began the session by explaining the various types of stage curtains, from Grand Drapes to Backdrops, from Austrians to Tab Curtains, utilizing a Power Point presentation to show the students specific examples of each type of drape.  Here’s one of the slides that was included in the presentation:

But the session was more than just a lecture.  After the Power Point presentation, the session became even more interactive.  Megan brought large samples of a number of different theatrical fabrics, including Cambio, Glimmerine, Poly Silk, Sharkstooth Scrim, and Metal Mesh.  Using the lighting lab equipment, students were able to able to try out a variety of lighting designs and techniques on the various fabrics, to get hands-on experience on how each fabric is transformed by lighting.

All in all, it was a great evening – Megan really enjoyed teaching and interacting with all the talented and creative students.

Megan was asked to speak to a class of approximately 25 students, grades 6th to 8th, in the NFTE class of Elizabeth Clayton-Bennett at Davis Middle School in Compton, CA, right here in our neighborhood, about Megan’s experiences as an entrepreneur. Megan began the presentation by telling the students about how she got started as an entrepreneur at the age of 19, sewing at her kitchen table, and then over the years grew the business to the Sew What? Inc. that it is today (and added a second company, Rent What? Inc.). She also brought in Kimberly Lee, Sew What? Account Manager, to speak briefly about her own experiences as an entrepreneur graphic artist and web designer.

Following the presentations, Megan made the session interactive by encouraging the students to brainstorm ways to turn everyday objects into business opportunities. Using Sew What? tee shirts as props, she asked the students to think of ways that the shirts could be modified into a sellable item (other than a tee shirt). The students came up with some terrific ideas, including a purse, dog clothes, and a book cover, and for each student who came up with an idea, the student received a tee shirt to keep.

Megan really enjoyed meeting and speaking with the students – it means a lot to her to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs!

All of us here at Sew What? and Rent What? are big fans of John’s, and so proud that he has joined our team, and we know that there are a lot of other fans out there.  But this song and video are really special.  Check it out – it is funny, catchy, and a true celebration of John and his incredible talent.

It is hard to believe, but we have published over 300 posts and in just a few months (March 2012), we will celebrate the third anniversary of this blog.  It is exciting to see the blog grow.  This year I welcomed two new blog contributors – John Rios of Sew What? and Marianne Lopez of Rent What?  It is great to have the new perspective and wealth of knowledge that each of them contributes to this blog.  Thanks for joining me in the blogosphere, John and Marianne!

But without you, the readers of this blog, all of it would be in vain.  In that spirit, I would like to thank you, the readers, for your support.  Hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving!

At this point chemotherapy is such a long shot that Dokie and his loved ones see their only hope in other methods of treatment.  However, the cost for such treatment is estimated at about $50,000. 

Dokie has an amazing girlfriend, Jessica Barsotti, who has been is one of the key persons in making sure Dokie is cared for. As an attorney, Jessica is coordinating donation efforts. She has a PayPal account available for those who wish to donate online.

Here is the PayPal Link:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N2LDZ6ZFSPLXA

If anyone would like to send a check, it can be send to the following address:

It saddens us to report on such a tragic event, but we know how many people have been touched over the years by Dokie, and so we thought it important to spread the news.  Please forward this onto anyone you think of that can help. If you can’t afford to donate money, then please send positive thoughts.

At the event, Megan joined with several other small business owners to talk about how we have not only survived the current economic client, but actually continued to grow.  Not only did Megan enjoy the opportunity to participate, but she found it enlighting to listen to her fellow speakers and pick up ideas from them as well.

Want to learn more about Inc 500 / 5000?  Click here.

The backdrop turned out fantastic.  Michelle liked it so much she invited me to her show, when they came through town, just to meet me and thank me for my work. No higher praise in my book.