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Volume CXXXII, Number 9 |
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Ventures in macaroni
MEREDITH HOAR
STAFF WRITER
This past Wednesday, the Quinby House Discussion Series hosted Karen Gordon Mills, Managing Director at Solera Capital in New York City and wife of Bowdoin College President Barry Mills. Mrs. Mills spoke about her venture capital firm, with particular reference to two companies she runs: Latina magazine and Annie's Macaroni and Cheese. The discussion, entitled "Venture Capital: What is it Like to Grow Businesses?," drew many members of the Bowdoin community. Seniors, with a mind toward considering potential future career paths, made up a particularly high proportion of audience members.
Mills explained that her firm is engaged in "later stage" investment, putting money into companies that have existed generally between 5-10 years and need a significant investment (approximately $15-20 million) to be able to grow to the next level. Mills is proud to be part of "giving people the chance to grow businesses," what she feels is an important portion of the "American Dream."
Mills has been involved in venture capital since 1983. She stressed that she has not been on straight shot to success her whole career. Her earliest jobs, such as waitressing, were not very glamorous-but she has come to believe that "the crummy jobs make the most valuable experiences." Referring to investments in the industrial sector that were hard-hit during the recession of 1990-92, Mills said, "things will not always go smoothly…[but this] is not always a bad thing in the end."
A number of students remarked on what seemed to be a lack of preparation at Bowdoin for the world of business that Mills inhabits. Though she stressed that "you have to learn accounting," she also said that extracurricular leadership and organization on campus represented excellent preparation for the business world.
Even students who were completely unaccustomed to the business world in general said that they gleaned much from the discussion. Kate Brinkerhoff '03 said that she felt Mills was adept at describing what she does in an accessible-yet not simplistic-manner. "She explained something unfamiliar to me in a way I could grasp," said Brinkerhoff.
Everyone in the audience seemed eager to avail themselves of the free samples of Latina and Annie's Macaroni and Cheese that were provided at the end of the discussion.
Next Wednesday, November 20 at 7:30pm at Quinby House, Professor Allen Tucker, Chair of the Computer Science Department, will be leading a discussion on "life outside the American bubble," referring to his time spent teaching and living in Ukraine.