27 A Coco Chanel

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

Oh my gosh, the constant fight and Grit that has to be put into a business and the way it pays off. The book analyzes and highlights the good and bad side of Coco Chanel. She was a huge developmental person of power in the fashion industry, and led her entrepreneurship above and beyond. The autobiography stands out because it seems they leave NOTHING in the dark about Coco.

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

the autobiography connected to my learning experience because it highlighted the fight, risks, as well as the good and bad that comes with taking these risks. She continued to step forward and push on, when she seemed like she was ready to settle with some of her small wins. It connects that anyone really can start up a business, which has been the most uplifting thought throughout this course. I've read so many different ideas and perspectives from students, and just like Coco Chanel, if any of our students take the same risks and get lucky enough, they could make the same differences (Or similar) that she did.

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

I would make an assignment based on HEAVY risk. Like, I would ask the students to provide input on an impossible scenario, and choose, and in a second assignment see if their choice would prevail. If it didn't, then they would have to go back to the other idea and go with it. There could be a type of simulator that could make an anonymous decision for the student.  

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

Oh, the realistic perspectives. It's not so often that stories like this will expose every dark corner of a persons life. There's always SOMETHING that is left in the dark, but in her story... No. The exposure of her sexuality, personal struggles that later coincided with drug problems, and effected her romantic life. It was almost written like a tragedy at one point. The epiphany moment was more so the realization of how REAL this person was and how similar to so many people she is. The bluntness of the story definitely took me aback.