We started the day in class with Dr. Ray Jones by reviewing our previous assignments on local restaurant SWOT analyses and Evidence of Best Practices. From there, we transitioned into a discussion on developing digital platforms. I mentioned that I planned to take professional headshots for my friend Chriss McCay, who recently created a LinkedIn profile. That comment sparked a class conversation centered on my photography Instagram page and the potential for expanding my services. We explored how I could move beyond sports photography and begin offering professional headshots as a new service. The feedback was encouraging. Safe to say, I’ll be moving forward with that expansion.

Later in the afternoon, we toured Mervis Hall and even got to pick out a free book. From there, we headed to Highland Park via Uber for a group picnic with Executive-in-Residence Tierra Thorne, founder of Blanket & Board. She created four beautifully arranged charcuterie boards for us, which were as delicious as they were thoughtful. During the picnic, she shared her journey from being a social worker to launching her business, which she started after responding to a Meta advertisement. Interestingly, while Meta helped her, she advised against relying on it for our Carrigart, Ireland client due to differences in context and reach.

We wrapped up the picnic by brainstorming with Dr. Ray Jones, Tierra Thorne, and Rebecca Rhoades about the idea of offering headshots to Pitt Business students and even the business fraternities on campus as a student Internship. The concept was well received, and I’m now thinking through how to position that offering more formally.