Last week my good friends @cagarland & @hillarykw inspired me. I haven't blogged in a long time and I couldn't, for the life of me figure out what to write about. I'm doing some cool stuff, but thought so much about making it perfect, that I never ended up writing. So, here it is people...an update on me. I graduated from Michigan State a few months back, I'm 23 and am starting a few companies for the first time. I hope readers, students especially, learn from this blog and the many mistakes and modest successes I've had. Social Bonfire & remind101 are the companies I've started. remind101 will Beta launch at Michigan State this Monday! Biggest lesson so far? Work with great people who excel at your what you aren't good at. No one is good at everything. More posts to come, if there's anything you'd like me to write about or have ideas please feel free to leave a comment, email @ kopfbret@gmail.com or Tweet me.
May 15, 2010
December 22, 2009
140 Characters Wasn't Enough
140 characters wasn't enough
In response to @cagarland tweet to me regarding grads going the entrepreneurial route, I liked the article but disagree (to an extent) that entrepreneurs make less money referenced in an article here. There is ton of validity to experience, true. But the hurdles I have to overcome and mistakes I'm making now, I think at least, has really accelerated my learning curve, which probably would have taken significantly longer working for a corporation. Also, the fact that I have little to no responsibilities is a defining factor which is why to me, it's worth the risk. I do agree that it takes a lot of time and hard work. One thing I've learned is that there's no magic button! I'd like to hear other's thoughts on this, especially young people starting companies?
Thanks!
January 6, 2009
Israeli & Arab Kids
A few days ago I went to a elementary school to talk to Israeli & Arab kids about America. It was really interesting, they all asked basic questions about the U.S. but what I found interesting was the question from the Arab student (keep in mind they are 7-9 years old) He asks in broken English...Does America help Israel in war? Yes I said, they give them supplies and are allies( which was translated into Hebrew) His faced turned angry and did not say a single word to me for the next few hours. Keep in mind he was the most excited and active kid prior to the question. He wouldn't even take a picture with me.
It gave me good insight to how complex the situation is, yet it's incredible the Israeli and Arab kids get along most of the time.
Other then that the trip extension has been great despite the war 60 miles away (:
I'll be home the 9th!
It gave me good insight to how complex the situation is, yet it's incredible the Israeli and Arab kids get along most of the time.
Other then that the trip extension has been great despite the war 60 miles away (:
I'll be home the 9th!
January 3, 2009
Israel update:WAR
Is will do my best to explain exactly what I have been learning. The news as you know is somewhat skewed and all they show are crying Palastinian children. Of course you do not have to agree with everything, I am merely passing information from real Israelis and feel this is the only way I can help.
Israeli air force warns the houses they are going to bomb with phone calls and they drop letters prior to bombings. They KNOW Hamas leaders are in the house and don't want to kill their families. The Hamas leaders tell their families not to leave and what happens? They get killed. This is why you see kids wounded and crying. Again, Israel gives ample warning, but the news somehowe forgets to mention this and that Israel drops food and supplies.
Israeli's don't want war but they must...they have no other choice. I have spoken with many Isralies, they all feel like this. Take a look at a map, you'll notice Israel is surrounded by Arab countries, they have no other choice. The soldiers are young, 18-22. They are just like me, except
they are at war. I ask, when will it end, can it end? No, no no. They wish but see no feasible answer. It is a very complex situation.
Geographic situation: Gaza is located in the left corner of Usrael towards the south called Gaza. It's a strip of 30 miles roughlt 1 1/2 million Palastinians. Israel is at war with Hamas, who are the leaders of the Palastinians.
Being here during this time has provided a different perspective. I just got out of a movie and found out ground forces entered Gaza, the family was naturally upset and scared for their people. Even thou gh this is happening, they must go on with their lives as they say. today we picked oranges, Pomellas and Avocados, amazingly fresh! I am loving my stay here.
I look forward to your comments
The war:
7 days ago the cease fire(or lack thereof) ended. Hamas has been bombing Israel for years and even though Hamas signed the cease fire, they kept firing.
Hamas immideatly began firing missles at Israel with potential damage range of 40 km or 24 miles. Im staying with my friend Dana, she goes to school in Ber Sheva and for the first time missles landed at her school, all the students left. I asked if anyone was injured? Physically no she said emotionally yes. She heard a siren go off and you have 15 seconds to get to a bomb shelter. (in last few days 4 were killed and 100's injured) In sderote, which is the closests city to Gaza, they have been bombed nearly every day for 8 years! We are perfectly safe, by Tel Aviv.
What you must know:
Israeli air force warns the houses they are going to bomb with phone calls and they drop letters prior to bombings. They KNOW Hamas leaders are in the house and don't want to kill their families. The Hamas leaders tell their families not to leave and what happens? They get killed. This is why you see kids wounded and crying. Again, Israel gives ample warning, but the news somehowe forgets to mention this and that Israel drops food and supplies.
Israeli's don't want war but they must...they have no other choice. I have spoken with many Isralies, they all feel like this. Take a look at a map, you'll notice Israel is surrounded by Arab countries, they have no other choice. The soldiers are young, 18-22. They are just like me, except
they are at war. I ask, when will it end, can it end? No, no no. They wish but see no feasible answer. It is a very complex situation.Geographic situation: Gaza is located in the left corner of Usrael towards the south called Gaza. It's a strip of 30 miles roughlt 1 1/2 million Palastinians. Israel is at war with Hamas, who are the leaders of the Palastinians.
Being here during this time has provided a different perspective. I just got out of a movie and found out ground forces entered Gaza, the family was naturally upset and scared for their people. Even thou gh this is happening, they must go on with their lives as they say. today we picked oranges, Pomellas and Avocados, amazingly fresh! I am loving my stay here.
I look forward to your comments
December 26, 2008
Update
Hello from Israel!
I'm sorry for the long awaited post, I have had no access to the internet.
We had some bad luck on our flight here...it got delayed and we ended up spending a night in Rome which was nice. On top of that, our luggage was lost and I am happy to say I have been wearing the same clothes for 6 days! All in good spirits.
We started towards the south and hiked Masada which was beautiful. We road Camels in Eilat and yours truly was not too agile. The guard who travels with us carriers M41 Carbine from WWII, he's a sniper. We spoke about the current situation in Gaza and it's not looking good. Israelis are very patriotic towards their country. The day's are packed rom 7:00am- which is great. We hiked up a mountain yesterday and our guide showed us the Jordan/Egypt border.
Other then that the people on the trip are fantastic, everyone gets along well and is in good spirits. I will blog again ASAP and hope everyone had a nice holiday and soon to be New Years.
Shalom!
I'm sorry for the long awaited post, I have had no access to the internet.
We had some bad luck on our flight here...it got delayed and we ended up spending a night in Rome which was nice. On top of that, our luggage was lost and I am happy to say I have been wearing the same clothes for 6 days! All in good spirits.
We started towards the south and hiked Masada which was beautiful. We road Camels in Eilat and yours truly was not too agile. The guard who travels with us carriers M41 Carbine from WWII, he's a sniper. We spoke about the current situation in Gaza and it's not looking good. Israelis are very patriotic towards their country. The day's are packed rom 7:00am- which is great. We hiked up a mountain yesterday and our guide showed us the Jordan/Egypt border.
Other then that the people on the trip are fantastic, everyone gets along well and is in good spirits. I will blog again ASAP and hope everyone had a nice holiday and soon to be New Years.
Shalom!
December 20, 2008
Israel Trip Itinerary
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October 16, 2008
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