Ellie Symes
The Bee Corp
Indianapolis, IN USA
"Find your inner compass and follow it, and you’ll be happy with whatever you do."
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Ellie's work combines: Technology, Environment & Nature, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
My school promoted the idea that a company could only create a positive impact if it was in the nonprofit or public sectors. It was a huge decision for us to choose if we should be a for-profit or nonprofit company. While in a meeting with some mentors, a lawyer introduced the idea of becoming a benefit corporation. It's essentially a hybrid model where we can be a for-profit company with a core social or environmental mission. We loved the idea and it ended up being the best option for us.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Environmental Management
Indiana University Bloomington
Graduate Degree
Information Systems
Indiana University Bloomington
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up watching my mom thrive as a successful career woman.
2.
I went into college knowing that I ultimately wanted my career to involve solving environmental problems—I chose to major in environmental management.
3.
I decided to go to graduate school straight after completing my undergraduate degree—I studied international development and worked with women farmer groups in India and Africa.
4.
While in graduate school, I became very interested in bees and started a beekeeping club.
5.
I was encouraged by my university to take the beekeeping club further, which resulted in switching my major to information systems and co-founding The Bee Corp.
6.
My co-founder and I won a substantial amount of money in a business plan competition to help get our business started.
7.
We originally wanted to use technology to become the best beekeepers in the country, but decided that was too capital-intensive, so we decided to focus on developing technology to help beekeepers.
8.
I currently manage The Bee Corp as the CEO and hope to keep growing and creating a positive social and environmental impact throughout my career.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You can only make a positive impact in the nonprofit or public sectors.
How I responded:
My school promoted the idea that a company could only create a positive impact if it was in the nonprofit or public sectors. It was a huge decision for us to choose if we should be a for-profit or nonprofit company. While in a meeting with some mentors, a lawyer introduced the idea of becoming a benefit corporation. It's essentially a hybrid model where we can be a for-profit company with a core social or environmental mission. We loved the idea and it ended up being the best option for us.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I deal with imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur. I combat it by staying confidence and surrounding myself with supportive mentors. Realizing that you don't know everything and asking people for help when needed is key to being a successful manager.