Shaping Vision into Reality: Preparing Students for Real-World Business with Yo Johnson

Our most recent EPIC (Entrepreneur Program Impacting Communities) meeting was anything but ordinary.

Guest speaker Yolanda "Yo" Johnson from the Small Business Development Center brought a hands-on and highly creative approach to exploring the realities of entrepreneurship.

The “Foil Horse” Challenge

The session began with a simple but unexpected task. Each student received a piece of aluminum foil and one instruction: Build a horse.

As students twisted, folded, and shaped their foil creations, something quickly became clear: although everyone started with the same material and the same goal, no two horses looked alike. Some stood tall and sturdy. Others struggled to balance. A few barely resembled a horse at all.

And that was exactly the point.

Vision vs. Reality

Yo used the activity as a powerful metaphor for building a business. Even with a clear idea in mind, the process of bringing a concept to life is rarely smooth or predictable. Plans change. Structures shift. Adjustments must be made.

Just like the foil horses, a business often looks different in reality than it did in your original vision — and that’s okay.

Entrepreneurship requires flexibility, resilience, and the willingness to keep “molding” your idea until it works.

Building a Business Identity

Yo challenged students to think beyond the idea itself and consider the structure behind it. A business, she explained, must be treated as its own entity -- separate from the individual. It has its own identity, responsibilities, and requirements.

Students explored key foundational questions, including:

• Location: Where will the business operate?

• Business Type: Is it a hobby, side hustle, or formal registered business?

• Taxes and Licensing: What regulations apply?

She shared practical examples relevant to Alabama entrepreneurs: tangible products vs services. Understanding these distinctions is critical before launching.

The Importance of Professional Guidance

Perhaps one of the most impactful takeaways from the session was Yo's reminder that entrepreneurship is not a straight line. The journey includes “30-foot-deep” questions that require research, guidance, and strategic thinking.

She encouraged students to seek mentors, industry professionals, and trusted resources, such as the SBDC, to help navigate the complexities of starting and sustaining a business.

More Than Just Foil

Students left the meeting with more than aluminum foil horses in hand. They walked away with a deeper understanding of the professionalism, preparation, and collaboration required to transform a dream into a viable business.

We are grateful to Yo Johnson for investing her time and expertise in our EPIC students and for reminding us that, while the entrepreneurial journey may feel as crinkled as foil at times, persistent shaping and refining can turn even the simplest material into something strong and purposeful.