Warren Buffett

I am very excited to have my first guest blogger!!!  Cole Opbroek is one of my awesome students.  He is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of TruView Cameras – a new video and still camera that sends a live video stream and instant photos to any computer, smart phone or mobile device – anywhere.  This technology is making a big impact in the hunting and security industries.  Cole is very dynamic and has even competed in business competitions by sharing his business ideas!  In my class, he did a report and presentation on Warren Buffett– coincidentally the weekend before he delivered his presentation in class, he had the amazing experience you will read about below!

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by:  Cole Opbroek

Owner, TruView Cameras

I took a swig of water and began laying out my day in my mind.  I was in Omaha for a tradeshow at the Qwest Center.  I was setting in the breakfast bar at the Hilton looking out across the parking lot.  Omaha was definitely a change of scenery from small town Hastings, Nebraska.  Several black sedans pulled up outside and caught my attention.  There are always some unique and different things you encounter and see, but the last thing I thought about that morning was running into Mr. Warren Buffett. 

 “Warren,” as he instructed me to call him, was at the Qwest center that week for many important meetings.  It just happened to be that I was in the right place at the right time.  Warren Buffett was like a celebrity to me.  As an entrepreneur, he was certainly an icon and someone I looked up to. Anytime there is a new story or something on TV about Warren Buffett, I always make sure to watch it, or set the DVR to record it.  But, never did I think I would have the chance to meet him.

Although, I was a bit nervous, I seized the opportunity of those few seconds introduce myself and say “hi” to a legend in my time.  He was cordial and very pleasant, just as we see him in television interviews.  He seems very happy and certainly has a demeanor about him.  This was an experience that I will always remember.

 Just like any business man, Warren knew he had to be quick while he was off to conquer a new endeavor for that day. As I walked away, I thought about what it would be like in his shoes and to spend a day in his crazy, nonstop life.  I imagined how cool it would be. Then reality sat in. At 21 years old, I can hardly deal with the stress of my life each day.  Dealing with billions of dollars each day is hard to even think about, but I know someday I will get there. 

This was a lucky circumstance that I had.  It made me think about how we experience great opportunities each and every day, and that we only take advantage of a very few of them.   That is crazy.  A lot of it plays in with fear and thinking about all the reasons why we shouldn’t take advantage of what chance happenings and remarkable moments that come upon us daily.  Well next time instead of thinking of all the reasons why you shouldn’t, sit back and think why you should, and I can promise you the list of things for why you should will always be a lot longer every time. 

There is something for each of us out there and for Warren Buffett it just happens to be dealing with billions of dollars each day and turning companies into the next best thing.  As I drove back home that weekend, heading West on Interstate 80, I passed a billboard with Warren Buffett on it.   You can learn a lot from a man like him.  I was reminded of his sound advice as Warren is quoted on the sign, “Invest in yourself.”