Bartlesville High School hosts entrepreneurial assembly

May 15, 2006

By Susan Albert

One of the themes that emerged from the recent economic evaluation from AngelouEconomics was that Bartlesville needed to “develop a strong entrepreneurial support system to encourage growth from within.”

One way to infuse budding young minds with the entrepreneurial spirit is by exposing students to local entrepreneurs and their stories. The report suggested hosting an “entrepreneur's day” at the high school whereby students could learn the benefits of establishing and owning a business.

Chuck McCauley, principal at Bartlesville High School and Teri Brant, assistant principal, attended the Angelou rollout presentation.

“Driving back we said we would like to start something this spring,” said McCauley. “Then in the fall, while juniors are testing, we will invite local entrepreneurs to come in and tell the senior students what they do and how they got started.”

Since time was limited this spring, Brant said the fall “entrepreneurial fair” would expand into something bigger for seniors. It will allow individuals to talk with business owners on a one-to-one basis.

Friday, the high school invited Mayor Julie Daniels to open an assembly focusing on two local entrepreneurs - Margo Proctor, owner of Sweet P's in downtown Bartlesville, and Pat Schafer, broker/owner of Century 21 Real Estate in Bartlesville.

“We just want to plant that seed with them for the future,” said McCauley. “So much we do is getting them ready for the next step in their lives. By listening to these business owners, they can encourage the students to do some of these things and they can do it right in Bartlesville.”

Proctor said she worked many years for others before deciding she was ready to do something on her own.

“I just wanted a simple little shop where I could do things the way I wanted to do them,” she said.

Proctor said her husband helped her with the start-up costs.

“My husband was totally supportive, he was gung ho about it and happy to do it,” she said.

Now a business owner for six years, the unique gift shop was originally located in the ITIO building, but she recently moved it next door where she has her own storefront.

“We bought the building on Frank Phillips because we wanted to invest in downtown. I lived downtown as a child and loved the area and want to see it that way again.”

She said since then her husband has purchased several buildings downtown and hopes to see the area progress.

Longtime realtor Schafer, broker-owner for 10 years, said realtors are independent contractors.

“The harder you work, the more money you make,” she said. “And you only have to be 18 to get a license, no college required.”

Schafer does advise those contemplating a career in real estate to attend realtor school soon.

“It takes 45 hours of schooling right now, but in November, that figure will double due to a change in law,” said Schafer.

Schafer began her career in real estate 27 years ago in Bartlesville. She was working as a veterinarian's secretary, when a customer, W.W. Keeler, suggested she try real estate.

“He said with my personality I needed to be doing something for myself and he would help me get started. He said it was a lucrative business if you work at it.”

Schafer also lists a stint as an Oklahoma real estate commissioner, appointed by Gov. Keating, among her accomplishments.

She said to be a successful realtor, you have to like people and be a detailed person.

“You're your own company but you must associate with a broker's office so he or she can keep an eye on you.”

Also, an independent contractor is responsible for his own health insurance. The Oklahoma Association of Realtors offers a group insurance plan and realtors can obtain health insurance through them, she said.

Schafer said the typical realtor is aging and they could use some younger realtors.

“They could go to work immediately and make more money than they might in other jobs,” she said.

She pointed out that Bartlesville could use entrepreneurs in other professions, too.

“Not only realtors, but Bartlesville could use more contractors, plumbers, anything that has to do with building.”