Calvin graduate Lance VanTine is an entrepreneur with a heart for service who puts the skills he learned in his classes to use.
Tell me about the business you run.
I run a business called Your Medical Advocate, formerly P.E.A.C.E. of Mind. We’re like Uber for getting your aging parents to the doctor safely. We help busy adults who are caring for their parents so they never have to miss work or wonder what the doctor said. We provide registered nurses who can transport, take notes, and advocate for the elderly at their medical appointments.
How did your Calvin entrepreneurship classes equip you to start your business?
My classes at Calvin taught me how to develop a business plan. They showed me the best ways to test and pilot the idea that I wanted to develop into a business. This helped me understand that careful planning is critical to successfully launching a business.
What’s one of the secrets to running an effective business?
Something I learned at Calvin was that in order for a business to work, you have to build a team based on the strengths of each person. I’m very people-oriented, I think about the big vision, and I’m the sales guy. When it comes to numbers and back-end operations, my energy level depletes much faster. Always line up your team with their strengths. This produces a more efficient and effective business.
How did you grow as a person at Calvin?
Calvin taught me how to approach anyone in a civil discussion. People will always vary in their beliefs, but that doesn’t mean we treat each other as any less than ourselves. At Calvin, I learned that listening is essential when you’re dealing with people. If you’re willing to listen to someone else’s feedback and instruction, you’ll go much further than close-minded people who believe they know it all.