In this episode, Nicky and Terry discuss the new RSA guidance on initial stocks and supplies. Plus, you will hear from some high school kids participating in a unique vending training program at the Tennessee School for the Blind.
Intro music (00:00):
Intro music (00:16):
This is the We are Randolph Shepherd podcast, promoting blind entrepreneurship and Independence. And now here's the dynamic duo, Nikki Gecos and Terry Smith.
Nicky (00:26):
Welcome to the We Are Randolph Shepherd podcast [00:00:30] for the month of May, 2024. And of course, we need to thank our sponsors, the National Association of Blind Merchants, Coca-Cola, Blackstone Consulting, Southern Foods, Siteline Wealth Management, Sodexo Kyler Technologies, RSA Management Group. You selected cantaloupe, two new sponsors, FSIG and Cure Dr. Pepper. Kerry, how are you?
Terry (00:58):
I'm doing great, Nikki. And, uh, [00:01:00] welcome to our new sponsors. And also, I wanna welcome a new listener that we have, uh, and the new listener is, uh, called Open ai. And if you're not familiar with Open ai, they're the company that has the chat, GPT that you've heard about the, the artificial intelligence app. And, uh, I was reading the other day that they have scoured the, a OpenAI has scoured the internet and every word that's [00:01:30] out there on the internet, they have put into their system, they have gone and converted every podcast into text and put that into their system. So that means that OpenAI has listened to every one of our podcasts, and now it's part of their database. So if someone asks something about Randolph Shepherd or whatever they're going to be pulling from, uh, part of the, they're gonna be pulling from will be something crazy that you and I may have said. So that's sort of scary to think that, uh, [00:02:00] um, that they're listening to our podcast. But, you know, I wanna welcome them and, uh, uh, you know, hope they continue to listen.
Nicky (02:08):
Yes. And, and for what they guy AI is here to stay. And I, you know, I listened to a medical program the other day about, uh, prostate cancer, which, which I don't have, and don't know anybody that has it. But it was a, a medical show in New York, and they talked about how AI is making tremendous advances in the medical field. So it's here to stay, and we better embrace it. And [00:02:30] I think there could be some things that blast coming up in November with AI that, my guess,
Terry (02:36):
And I think there's, if people tune in next month on our podcast, we may have a special guest to talk about a little more there too. So, um, but, uh, Nikki, I was looking at our numbers on, um, on, on our, on people who's, who, who's listening and looking at the, uh, top states of, of our listeners. And it's just as you would expect that, you know, it's the, it's the states with the most vendors that are, you know, Tennessee as our top [00:03:00] state with, for listeners, my home state welcome, uh, to my friends from the volunteer state. Maryland comes in at number two, which is a little bit of a surprise, but we got a lot of active folks up there. Texas three, Florida four, California five, um, I think Georgia and Virginia lead the next group of five. Um, but, um, I was looking at who's not listening.
(03:22):
Um, and since we have been doing this podcast, we have [00:03:30] one listener get this one listener from the Coyote State. You know what state the Coyote State is? I'll give you a clue. It's the Mount Rushmore State now that South Dakota. So, uh, we have had, in two and a half years, we've had one listener in South Dakota, which they only have two vendors, but, uh, obviously one of them's not listening. And, uh, we even have more listeners in Wyoming. We have no vendors [00:04:00] in Wyoming, and we're still doing great in Bulgaria, but, uh, nobody from the Coyote State. So, you know, we need to, we need to pick up our numbers up there in, in, in South Dakota. But, uh, uh, funny story about South Dakota. Nicky, I had been to 48 states in, in, you know, in, in the country. And I, and I had not been to Wisconsin or South Dakota, and I said, you know, I'm probably not gonna end up in Wisconsin or South Dakota.
(04:26):
And, um, so my wife and I just planned a trip [00:04:30] and we flew into Wisconsin and spent a few days up near the Wisconsin Dales and then drove across Southern Minnesota to South Dakota and went to Mount Rushmore. So I got my 50th state when I got to South Dakota, and we went in the gift shop there, and there was a sign that says South Dakota, my 50th state. So it looks like a lot of people
Nicky (05:02):
Maybe we'll have to get the SLA to listen. Maybe they are the one
Terry (05:05):
That Yeah. May you know that's, that's right. They may be the one that's listening. You know, I was, I was looking at that, that, you know, when I, I threw out that Coyote state and, and which sort of made me think of some of the, the, the names, nicknames that some of the states have. And, you know, we're really familiar with all the ones with the sports teams. I mean, we know who the Hoosier state is, the Buckeye State, the Hawkeye State, the Beaver State, all of those Corn Huskers Badgers, you know. And then of course there's the volunteer [00:05:30] state, the Tennessee Volunteers. That's, that's my state. Uh, do you know how we got the name volunteers, by the way?
(05:39):
Uh, we got our name volunteers because Davey Crockett and all of his volunteers that went down there and got slaughtered at the Alamo
Nicky (06:21):
Oh, I just heard this the other day because state, I think it's Alabama.
Terry (06:25):
It is Alabama, and it got its name. I
Nicky (06:27):
Would've never guessed that if I didn't, if I didn't see that on the [00:06:30] NFL draft
Terry (06:31):
Nicky (06:32):
I mean, roll Tide. That's what I know. But, but then they got Auburn too. So you got,
Terry (06:38):
You know what a yellow hammer is?
Nicky (06:40):
No,
Terry (06:41):
It's a bird
Nicky (06:42):
In, say
Terry (06:43):
It's a bird. I had no idea. See, you learn, you learn something on this podcast. What's, what's the gym
Nicky (06:49):
State? Is the gym state?
Terry (06:54):
Yeah, I
Nicky (06:56):
Would say Wisconsin.
Terry (07:00):
[00:07:00] Nope, it's Idaho. Okay, I'll make it. Here's an easy one. The Magnolia State, you know that one?
Nicky (07:06):
Oh yeah. That's Mississippi.
Terry (07:08):
That's Mississippi. That's right. Do you know the Silver State?
Nicky (07:13):
Silver State is Nevada. I knew that.
Terry (07:18):
Yep. That's Nevada. Now these are ones I did not know. Here's a couple just real quick. Um, the Pelican State, do you know that one? And if you think about [00:07:30] it, think of court
Nicky (07:30):
Team. I think they, I think they, I think they should call it the best restaurant state. Uh, Louisiana.
Terry (07:36):
Louisiana, right. You know, you think I See, I hadn't thought about that. You got the, you got the New Orleans Pelicans down there, and there was a movie from called the Pelican Brief that was from, from down there. And I just didn't think of that. The Great Star State.
Nicky (07:49):
Great Texas
Terry (07:50):
Nicky (07:51):
Oh, I think I know what that is. No, I know. It's Minnesota. It's
Terry (07:54):
Minnesota. Minnesota.
Nicky (07:55):
Colburn good. Colburn told me that, Colburn told me that.
Terry (07:59):
Yeah. Nick Coburn [00:08:00] would've been mad if you'd missed that one. Um,
Nicky (08:02):
And you know what? It, it's, it's, it, you know, I mean, I'm from the Garden state and you know, we, we should have something about the shore or rock and roll, but we're the garden state of New Jersey.
Terry (08:12):
Yeah. I've never thought, you
Nicky (08:13):
Know, why we're called the Garden State, Terry, you know why we're called the Garden state? No. 'cause if you come, you better guard your car. You better guard your life. You better
Terry (08:20):
Nicky (08:21):
Alright, everything.
Terry (08:24):
So what is the old line state? I never heard of this [00:08:30] one. It's Maryland,
Nicky (08:34):
Begin
Terry (08:35):
Maryland, and it got its name for George Washington. It's about the military lines back in the Revolutionary War, last one. And I did, I'd never heard this one either. And I, and maybe I should have the Equality State. I'll give you another hint. It's the Cowboy State that is his other name. Cowboy.
Nicky (08:52):
Oh, that's Wyoming.
Terry (08:53):
That's Wyoming. Good, good. Uh, so anyway, I thought that I just, when I was thinking about, [00:09:00] uh, the South Dakota nickname, I just started looking up some of those and I was like very, very surprised at some of those. So I thought I'd check your knowledge base. And you did pretty good. You did pretty good on that. So Nikki, this is a years ago. What's that?
Nicky (09:13):
I said years ago we used to watch when, um, license plates, you know, they had the names of the states on 'em. Yeah. And we used to, you know, when you drive like to Florida back in the Wade days, um, and that would be a game that you played the past time. 'cause there was no iPads or anything like that then in those days. [00:09:30] Or see, you know, movies or anything to watch. And you, you know, you always try to guess those things and stuff. But it's always weird that, um, some of the names of the states, uh, like you said, we know the sports stuff, but when it comes to this stuff, it's pretty different.
Terry (09:44):
So Nikki, this is the portion where you get a minute to, or few seconds to tell us what's up with you. And, uh, so Nikki, what's up?
Nicky (09:53):
Well, lemme just get this off. Let me vent this right off the, the, um, first, what the heck were the [00:10:00] Denver Bronco Stick and Draft drafted Bo Nicks? You know, we got the worst rating of, of the draft in the FL than any other team. From, from round two to seven, we got an A and we got an F for the first round. So I'm pretty upset. I'm looking for a new team. So if anybody's got any suggestions for me to start rooting for another new team, let me know about that. But Terry, uh, what's up is that, um, you know, it's, it's a, again, and I do everything with sports, and you know that, [00:10:30] because that's what takes my mind away from Randall Shepherd. So many other things. And it's a great time in New York that Yankees and Mets are playing. Okay? The Knicks were playing great, the Rangers just swept, so we're talking that way.
(10:41):
But, you know, Randall Shepherd community, um, I'm very proud of, uh, Michael Coburn, who went and represented us last week at the CDC for a meeting with the, um, um, unhealthy vending. And, uh, they were ecstatic with it. What, what Mike did, I got tremendous emails [00:11:00] on his, on his performance. And, and the people that were there were Department of Defense and oh my God, they used that word, primacy again, primacy. And, uh, both Kirk Toson, who was there also speaking from Sodexo, and Mike said, can you explain that to us? So they got into a little thing, but the Department of Defense was there, national parks, um, of transportation, the VA was there. And, uh, they want us to do a training on Randall 1 0 1, Randall Shepherd, 1 0 1. So we're starting [00:11:30] to, to do good things with that. Um, and I'm just very excited, Terry, to be honest with you, that, uh, blast is, is out for registration, um, not for, uh, for registration, also for the hotel.
(11:41):
And I gotta tell everybody now, rooms are going very fast. So please book your rooms if you're coming. And one other thing that I want to announce, and this will be the first time we're hearing it, is that we will be having another one of our mini blast series, uh, in Las Vegas, uh, next May in [00:12:00] conjunction with the NAMA Show, which is back in Vegas, may of 25, May 7th to the ninth. And we'll be doing a training on the night of May 5th and all day on the 6th of May. So make your plans to come to Vegas and get two conferences for the price of one. What's up with you, Tara?
Terry (12:18):
Well, first of all, I had not talked to you since the draft, and I was wondering how you were feeling about the Bo Nicks, uh, draft, because, um, uh, that was an, an, an interesting move to say, to say the least. But it was [00:12:30] a, it was a act of desperation. Uh, what's up with me is Nikki, I'm becoming my dad. You know, um, I can remember sitting and listening, listening to my dad talk about, you know, the state of the world and, and, and how bad things were. And, you know, that, and I'd sat there with my long hair. People don't realize, you know, I used to have hair all the way down to my back. And, you know, I was sort of, you know, hippie dude, and, you know, we had all protest everywhere. We had a war [00:13:00] going on. Uh, you know, he would always talk about social security, won't be there, went by the time I'm old.
(13:06):
And, you know, he just, you know, just was so negative about the future. And, you know, then I sit here looking around and I'm talking about what in the world is going on? We got all these protests going on. We got these wars going on. The political, uh, you know, world is upside down. You know, we, we had Watergate. Now we got all this stuff going on now. And, you know, I've, I've just become my dad. I'm a, you know, and I, I, I gotta shake, shake outta this [00:13:30] because, uh, you know, I'm pretty tired of, uh, you know, all the stuff going on. And, you know, I'm not gonna get political here, but, um, just sorta of a lot of, a lot of things to be encouraged about, but a lot of things to be discouraged about. And we gotta, we gotta get it together one, one way or the other. And, uh, I wanna just leave it, leave it at that, and get into what we need to be talking about today.
Nicky (13:53):
And I agree with you, Terry. You know, it's, I, when they brought up 1968 and then the students for Democratic Society, I remember [00:14:00] having a pamphlet about thinking about joining and the Vietnam War and so many other things that were going on. And my father, before he died in 1976, gave me a book called The Arab Israeli Conflict. And he said, read this. 'cause this is where World War III is gonna start. And there's just some crazy things. And I think that's why it's so much that we talk about family and sports as an avenue of release a little bit and stuff like that. But we do have a job to do in Randall Shepherd, and we're still pulling some things together. Um, and, uh, so that's what [00:14:30] keeps us going. But, um, family and family, friends and sports is the things that keep our mind away from this craziness that's going on in this world. So,
Terry (14:40):
Well, Nikki, let's get in to talk about, we're, we're, we're two things we're doing today. First of all, we're gonna talk about the, uh, technical assistance circular that RSA issued, and then we're going to hear from some kids from the Tennessee School for the Blind. And I'll explain a little bit more about that in just a minute. But, uh, um, we had a, you know, NABM had a listing session with RSA [00:15:00] back in February. You had requested that give us a chance to go in and share our views on a whole lot of stuff. And, um, you know, fiscal issues were, were were one of those. And, um, I mean, I think you were pleased with the way that session went, weren't you?
Nicky (15:15):
Yes, I was very pleased with it. Um, I thought my computer was broken 'cause I wasn't getting emails, but, 'cause I haven't heard from the commissioner, but I'm very happy with, um, uh, the meeting. I think it went very well. There's been a lot of response since then. And of [00:15:30] course, there's technical assistance, which I, I think we might have had some input in. Um, you, you, you know, that, that we're glad that we're working together, um, on some of these things. I'm very excited about that.
Terry (15:43):
Yeah. In, at the, uh, national Council of State Agencies for the blind meeting where, where I, I was presenting on behalf of NABM there. And, um, RSA was presenting and talking about the tack. And, you know, I've always said that I'm, I'm their biggest critic, RS a's biggest critic, and I'm also [00:16:00] pat patting them on the back when they do well. And so, um, you know, I had to stand up in front of the whole audience and compliment RSA because I thought the, I, I thought they heard what we had to say. I'm not, I don't think we get top full credit for it. I know N-C-S-A-B had a listening session and some other people had expressed some concerns. Uh, but, uh, I think we, you know, they, they did hear what we had to say and, uh, talk to them afterwards. And they're, you know, they're wanting to continue to hear from us.
(16:29):
And I think that [00:16:30] is a, a positive step, and we really appreciate, appreciate that. And so, you know, it's, it's sort of moving more toward that partnership that we feel, um, you know, needs to exist. I mean, you know, we're always gonna have different viewpoints, but, uh, you know, as long as they're listening, and we don't have to agree all the time. But, um, I think they demonstrated that they were listening and trying to do things that benefited the, the vendors and the program. You know, the most significant thing about that technical assistance, circular, and it, for those of you who don't know it, it [00:17:00] know, it, it, it talked, it, it, it was about inventory and, you know, stock and supplies for, for, for new vendors. The, the biggest change is that they are now recognizing that when a new vendor goes into an existing facility, the state can treat it as a new facility.
(17:19):
And which means that they can provide inventory and other supports for the vendor going into the new facility, and they can use their federal [00:17:30] dollars to do that. And, um, 'cause when you have a new facility, you can provide ongoing supports for the first six months. So now that six months starts over when that new vendor goes in. So if they need any inventory, um, you know, you can buy that inventory. You can actually buy inventory anytime during that first six months, as many times as you want to. I mean, you can technically, you can buy all the inventory [00:18:00] the vendor needs the first six months if it's, if it's needed and it's necessary and, and, and that kind of stuff, which it's not. I mean, that's, that's an extreme exaggeration. But technically, um, you know, you're, you're allowed to buy as much inventory during that first six months as you need.
(18:17):
Um, and the other part of that is we were sort of, you know, up in opposition of the stock loans. And I think the, the, the loan process, you know, puts a burden on vendors who are trying to be successful. Especially early [00:18:30] on, they did not say you can't do stock loans, but they've made it so difficult on the state agency that it's probably gonna be in their best interest not to do stock loans. And those states who do it to change their policy, because now they, when you pay them back that money, they have to count that as a a, as a, a reduction of their federal funds, and it creates a lot of paperwork and, and they get no gain for it. So I think, uh, those states that use stock loans need to, need to, need to rethink [00:19:00] that, uh, policy. The other good thing about it that, um, you know, we've been complaining about not being able to buy items costing under a thousand dollars.
(19:09):
Uh, with this being a new facility for the first six months, the states can buy items costing under a thousand dollars. So when you move in, even though it's an existing facility, it's being treated as a new facility. So if, if you need a new microwave, you can buy it in that first six months. If you need a new refrigerator, you can buy it in those first six months, whatever [00:19:30] you'd need. So if you have a microwave and you, and it's got some age on it, replace it during those first six months. So, you know, that is a, you know, that is, you know, a, a tremendous, um, you know, advantage. And the other thing is they, they, they really went outta their way to spell out that, you know, you're not limiting the, those kind of supports, uh, you know, the SLA can help do things like pay for your staff during the first six months.
(19:54):
And, uh, you know, we have a few that do that. Um, you might not be very well known, but, um, [00:20:00] you know, when a vendor goes in for the first few weeks, they'll, they'll help pay sta pay pay for their employees and things like that. And I think we really need to look at that from a standpoint of, uh, what it means for, um, for, for, for our blind vendors. And, and I, I'd, I'd like to see more states sort of creating some policies around that. So I think all in all, Nikki, it was, it, it, it, it was favorable. Um, and, uh, you know, I think you, you, you, you pretty well agree it was a, it was a step in the right direction.
Nicky (20:30):
[00:20:30] Absolutely. I think it was definitely a step in the right direction. I'm looking forward to making sure that people states understand that and other things that they can get even. You know, I mean, I remember back at being in VR that you could get pay for apartments and stuff. Just, we really need to look into that to help our blind vendors as we start to get back, you know, as we start to get back to work a little bit in some states and stuff like that, it's starting to look good. Um, I know California's bringing, um, vendor, [00:21:00] uh, federal, uh, state employees back at least two days a week. Um, you know, two days is better than no days. So, um, I'm glad it just came out at this time because is it a new facility? Is it not if they go back and open their facility after being closed or whatever. So good timing on RS a's partnering. Good job.
Terry (21:19):
And the other significant part of that is they, they, they also stated that, uh, if you change the type of facility you're operating, which was a big point that we were stressing Yep. Because of these cafeterias that [00:21:30] are now being converted to micro markets or, or hybrids, uh, of, of some sort. Um, they recognize that that is a new facility. Even though the, you don't change vendors, you don't change the locations, you're just changing the, the, the type of service being provided. They recognize that that is a new facility. So once they, uh, you know, you can go in and you can, um, you know, provide those supports for, uh, for, for the first six months, a again, so, and the, and the other thing is, I wanna point out, [00:22:00] just so everybody's not confused, you do not have to apply for VR services to get these, I mean, these are, these, these fall under the group category of management services in most cases.
(22:10):
So this is something that the SLA can do without you actually having to open up a case. Of course, there's, you know, I realize there's budgets and all that kind of stuff to, to consider. Um, they're gonna issue three tacks this year. The, the next tack is gonna be on, I think, acquisition of space, dealing with renovations and things like that. Um, [00:22:30] I think we'll probably be, uh, we, we, we addressed that somewhat in our listening session, but I think we'll probably send in some additional thoughts on that, uh, as they as, 'cause they're starting to work on that now, I'm sure. And so, uh, in talking to RSA after their presentation at N-C-S-A-B, they said, you know, let us hear from you. We wanna know what you think. So I think we'll take 'em up on that and share some thoughts with them about that as well.
Nicky (22:59):
Terrific.
Terry (23:00):
[00:23:00] Nikki. Um, uh, that, that's really all we have, you know, have to say as far as the tech goes. I, I wanna take a few minutes and, and you know, back many moons ago, uh, when I was in another lifetime at the, as a director in Tennessee, we created a program at the Tennessee School for the Blind, uh, which was geared toward, um, getting, uh, exposing kids at the school for the blind to the Randolph Shepherd program. And, [00:23:30] um, you know, I'm not gonna tell how we did it 'cause RSA may be listening, but, uh, I'm sure there's a statute of limitations on, on that 25 years ago or whatever it was,
(23:54):
And, you know, the thing's still going today. And I want the, our [00:24:00] listeners to hear a couple of the students that are in that class now and hear from the instructor because it, it is actually a, it started out as a, a sort of a project. Um, they turned it into a full business class that they take at the school for the blind. They get credit for it. And, uh, I want you to hear from, uh, uh, some of the students there. And so let's play that tape now that we've got, uh, of, of a couple of those guys. So let's start [00:24:30] by introducing the folks at the Tennessee School for the Blind, who we're gonna hear from today.
Andy (24:36):
My name is Andy Joiner. I've been the, a teacher at Tennessee School for Blind for 27 years. I've been doing the TBE program since I started school, uh, since I started teaching here. And it's the greatest job in the world,
Lilly (24:52):
Lilly. I've been here at TSB for [00:25:00] almost three years, and I graduate next year, 2025.
Lee (25:08):
Hi, I'm Lee. I've been at TSB since the fourth grade. I'm currently a senior this year, graduating senior. I'm a athlete. I participated in every sport here in class of 2024.
Terry (25:26):
We asked Andy to sort of give us an overview of how the program [00:25:30] at TSB works.
Andy (25:32):
We have five snack machines here on campus and five drink machines here on campus that the students service throughout the year. Um, my job here is to get the students interested and give them some background knowledge of the TBE program here in, in Tennessee.
Terry (25:52):
We also wanted to know what some of the benefits to the students have been who have participated in this [00:26:00] training program.
Andy (26:02):
That's a great question. Um, over the years, uh, I have seen 17 students, um, go into the TBE program and become a successful TBE manager. Um, the benefits is that if they go on to college, they, and then they want to go back out and do TBE, it's a great opportunity for the students. It's also, it's a great opportunity [00:26:30] for the students to have some money background. When they do do something else, they can have a, a, a sense of where the money goes to a budget and understand how
Lee (26:42):
The money works for, for them.
Terry (26:47):
Just so our listeners know, the kids at TSB who are participating in this program are required to listen to this podcast. It's part of their studies. And so, uh, we asked them what they liked best about the podcast.
Lilly (27:00):
[00:27:00] I like how informative it is.
Lee (27:05):
What I like about the podcast is I get to understand how the TBE program operates and what Terry and Nikki have to go through on a daily basis.
Terry (27:23):
We were curious about the skills that they're learning in this class.
Lilly (27:28):
I'm learning money [00:27:30] management and, um, how, how, uh, communication to communicate with people.
Lee (27:41):
Uh, right now I'm learning how to, um, operate on machines. Um, I'm learning how to, uh, count money and like we're like, we're learning a lot of like how to, how to, um, [00:28:00] like figure out like, like like net profits and gross profits and things like that for job,
Terry (28:10):
Get anything out of it. They have to enjoy the class, we hope. So what is it they really enjoy about it?
Lilly (28:17):
I like how it teaches us how to be independent and to ask questions,
Lee (28:26):
Get into, get better at, uh, math [00:28:30] skills. It's a lot of men on math, and that's something I'm good at. And then just learning how, like the real world would be,
Terry (28:41):
We didn't ask about any opportunities they had had to shadow any of the current, uh, Tennessee blind vendors.
Lee (28:52):
Yes, I work for Ryan Smith in the prison commissary. Um, [00:29:00] he's taught me like so many things of how the job works and I get to pack for him and I get to sit in the office with him sometimes and learn how, you know, like the commissary part of TB works, how if someone order gets messed up, how that process goes. So I'm learning a lot of how it would be and more so how it feels to have [00:29:30] your own business.
Terry (29:31):
We just wanted to know were they realistic in the expectations in terms of what vendors make in Tennessee. So we asked them what do they think the, uh, average vendor in Tennessee makes
Lilly (29:43):
Around 80,000,
Lee (29:45):
About 70,000.
Terry (29:48):
Well, they were a little low on that, but, um, pretty, pretty close. So, uh, we'll give 'em credit for that one. So we asked them what do they see as the benefits of taking this course,
Lilly (29:59):
Um, [00:30:00] to understand how to work with money and how to use it wisely.
Lee (30:07):
I feel like if I had to like do a lot of things dealing with math, this helps because it's more like a business, uh, aspect. And at the same time we learned how to [00:30:30] make business plans. So one day I wouldn't mind being a young entrepreneur and getting my own business started. So
Terry (30:42):
They've been going through this training, they've been learning all about vending machines and, and, and, and, and the TBE program. Would they consider TBE as a future career?
Lilly (30:53):
Yes.
Lee (30:54):
Yes. I think TBE [00:31:00] is something that is amazing to have because college is not for everyone and some people are just better with like math skills and just day-to-day job skills. So I think it's a got good option to have there if you ever wanted to go into the program. And since I got to work [00:31:30] for a TBE manager and get to have the opportunity to, to be in the class, it just makes my chances higher of being successful.
Terry (31:42):
So if you had the opportunity to go out and spend some time with one of the vendors in one of their facilities, um, uh, is that something you'd wanna take advantage of as part of this class?
Lilly (31:52):
Yes. So that I can learn how to do this job [00:32:00] if I do decide to pursue this as a career in the future?
Terry (32:06):
So Nikki, the, the, the thing that I, I, two things about that. First I did not realize it was 27 years ago that we started that program out there. And I remember it like it was yesterday. Ralph Brewer was the principal at the School for the Blind, and we had a great relationship and we kicked that program program off, and it started out as, as the junior class, the junior class was doing [00:32:30] it, and all the money went toward their senior trip, all the profits that they made. And so it was a, you know, it was a win-win for everybody, but that the, the number doesn't sound much, but we've had 17 students who went through that program at the school for the blind who went on to become Randolph Shepherd vendors in Tennessee. So, and I, I haven't done check to see how many, you know, if they're all still in the program, but if you look at that, that's basically 20% [00:33:00] of the Tennessee program now came through that, uh, that, that training at the Tennessee School for the Blind.
(33:06):
So that's pretty significant. And you know, something that, um, that that, that I'm proud of. And, you know, we didn't make a a lot of fanfare about it. We haven't gone out and, and, and, and and too our, our horn about it or, uh, anything like that. But I think it's one of the things that, uh, in my years at Tennessee, you know, we're known for commissaries, we're known for a lot active participation, we're known for a lot of things, but that is one [00:33:30] of the things that I'm the, I'm the most proud of and, uh, really appreciate the opportunity that we had to put that together.
Nicky (33:37):
Well, and no doubt, Terry, you've been a big component of training since I've known you. And, um, so kudos to you in the Tennessee School for the Blind for that program. And I hope that when more states hear this, that they'll copy something like that because I'm, I keep talking to states all the time saying we need more training, more training, more training, because things are getting difficult out there with pricing and inflation and so many other things. So training [00:34:00] is so important. So kudo to you and tenancy for a great job.
Terry (34:03):
All right, Nikki, that pretty well wraps it up for this session.
Nicky (34:07):
Yeah. One, one last thing, Terry, I forgot I wanted to mention before was that, um, uh, last month we mentioned, um, a couple of vendors that we lost or people in the Randall Shepherd program. And, um, I want to give a shout out to Ron Eller, who passed away a couple months ago. Ron was a long time, uh, active vendor committee chair in, in North Carolina, um, and, [00:34:30] uh, worked hard for the Randall Shepherd program. So, uh, Rob will be missed. Um, and uh, we wanted to just get Kudo to Ron Ella
Terry (34:37):
And also Roy Harmon in California, um, another longtime vendor. And, um, you know, that, uh, was very active and, um, I'm glad you remembered to, to, to mention those guys because, um, you know, it, uh, they, they, they certainly both made, made major contributions and we worked with both of them back in different capacities. [00:35:00] But, uh, uh, sad, sad to hear about their, their, their passing.
Nicky (35:05):
Alright, I appreciate everybody and, uh, don't forget to make your reservations for Blast in Nashville. Nashville, Nashville. Blessed and I'll see you next month there.
Terry (35:14):
All right, we'll see you.
Sponcers (35:16):
The we are Randolph Shepherd podcast. Would like to thank our sponsors, the National Association of Blind Merchants, Coca-Cola, Blackstone Consulting, Southern Food Service, Siteline [00:35:30] Wealth Management, Sodexo Tyler Technologies, F-S-I-G-R-S-A Management Group. You select it, cantaloupe Keurig, Dr. Pepper.
Terry (35:44):
If you would like to support the We Are Randolph Shepherd podcast, we would love to have you on board corporate sponsors and contact Nikki gecos@nikkicolorado.netscape.net. Individuals who would like to support [00:36:00] the podcast may do so by donating to the National Association of Blind merchants@www.blindmerchants.org. We would love to have your support.