Name: Michael Cauble

Bio: I currently attend Johnson County Community College and will earn my associate of arts degree in May 2013. I’m hoping to transfer to the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University in fall 2013, to work towards my bachelor’s degree in international business and communications with an emphasis in public relations and entrepreneurship, along with a minor in Chinese.

Titles: CEO of Cauble Cosmetology, co-founder of Yoga at Circle S Ranch, president of JCCC Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and president/co-founder of JCCC Ad/PR Club

Age: 24

Residence: Overland Park, Kan.

Website: caublecosmetology.com, caublecommunications.com

Twitter: @caublemichael

Linkedin: linkedin.com/pub/michael-cauble

Intro music: "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 23", by - Allegro Assai, London Festival Orchestra

Silicon Prairie News: You're planning to pursue a pretty well-rounded academic regimen over the next couple of years. How do you intend to put all those studies to use after graduation?

Michael Cauble: The nice thing about already owning an company while also being in school is that I’m able to apply the knowledge I gain at school directly to my business. Which I definitely plan on continuing to do while studying at NYU. My ideal plan after graduating is to work at an international company (that of course promotes entrepreneurship internally), travel the world for business development and at the same time grow my own side businesses. While attending NYU, I plan on flying back to Kansas City at least four times a year to manage my cosmetology clients and also see my family. I always want to be connected to KC and the Midwest.

SPN: Between all your varied endeavors, what does your schedule for a typical day (if there is such a thing) look like?

MC: 5:30 a.m. - Wake up, have coffee, yoga, finish homework, glance at The New York Times and Wall Street Journal

8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - School/club meetings

3:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Work at salon

9:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. - Homework, emailing, social media, etc.

12 a.m. - Brain and body go on shut down mode

Working a second job at a country club and volunteering is somehow able to fit in on the other days.

SPN: In your role with CEO, you're responsible for planning events and recruiting speakers. What are some techniques you've learned for making those processes run smoothly?

MC: Precise and efficient communication skills are by far what makes everything run smoothly. Of course email is my number one resource for communicating with our guest speakers. However, sometimes I find just calling people directly can get things done quicker. My wonderful professors/advisors, Barbara Millard and Gretchen Thum, also help organize everything. I can’t take all the credit.

The main topic that the JCCC chapter of CEO focused on this fall 2012 semester was on finance: credit, banking, venture capital, angel funding, private equity, etc. This next semester our chapter will be focusing on “networking.” We are going to push that a person's network equals their net-worth, e.g. Network = Net-worth. Catchy huh? Our chapter encourages all students at JCCC to attend our speaking engagements, regardless of if they own a business or not. A lot of the topics our guests speak about are just good to know about in general.

SPN: What would you count as your greatest accomplishment(s) in running Cauble Cosmetology?

MC: One of the most fascinating things I love about being a cosmetologist, is being able to meet so many different types of people who have lived and traveled all around the world. I love hearing people’s backgrounds and how they got to where they are today. With that said, it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to develop relationships with people.

I’m in the process of writing a book on how entrepreneurship can be applied to the cosmetology industry. I’ve been working in salons since I was 12 years old, so I have definitely seen it all: the good, the bad and definitely some not-so-good business management. This is something I plan on working on while in college.

SPN: After participating in a few Global Entrepreneurship Week events, what impressions were you left with about the state of entrepreneurship in Kansas City?

MC: One word: Skyrocketing.

The level of energy Kansas City has for entrepreneurship is unbelievable. I’ve never been to Silicon Valley, but I’m assuming it’s probably not as easy to attend events and gatherings regarding entrepreneurship as it is here in KC. I feel that everyone, regardless of if they have a business or not, is welcome to learn more, which is what makes KC so great. We are extremely lucky to have the Kauffman Foundation as a hub and source for all things startup. And obviously with all the recent publicity Google Fiber and Startup Village has been getting, that is only going to make the future even more fantastic.

Credits: Photo courtesy of Cauble.

Prairie Portraits: To learn more about this series, see our introduction post, or visit our archives for past Prairie Portraits. To suggest an individual for a future Prairie Portrait, contact editor@siliconprairienews.com.

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