'Apprentice' runner-up speaks to IU

Kwame Jackson, NBC's "The Apprentice" first-season runner-up, said some might call him a serial entrepreneur, which has two meanings.\n"It means someone who has to start businesses," he said. "Now, the real definition of serial entrepreneur is someone who's so broke they only eat cereal. So, I'm definitely a serial entrepreneur."\nJackson continued dispensing advice to a nearly full Alumni Hall during his lecture, "Lessons from the Boardroom," Thursday night. \nVisiting IU was special for Jackson because it's the birthplace of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, he said. \nThe event was sponsored by the fraternity and the National Association of Black Accountants.\nJackson's lecture focused on his business experience, but people of other majors attended the event.\nEducation graduate student Vamsi Manne rooted for Jackson during the show's first-season finale and said Jackson's lecture was for anyone inspiring to be successful.\n"He was personable and humble, which makes him that more admirable," Manne said.\nLike his personality, Jackson's business debut was humble: he sold candy on a school bus in third grade.\nIn eighth grade, Jackson wanted a $75 Nintendo system his parents wouldn't buy for him.\n"My parents believed in handing me an opportunity, not a credit card," he said. "Just like many of you, I started in the architectural landscaping business." \nThe game system was his after three mowed lawns.\nAt 14 years old, Jackson's drive for independence rather than money led him to his high school job at McDonald's.\nLater, Jackson earned a business degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a Harvard Master of Business Administration. He has worked in sales and marketing for Procter & Gamble on Wall Street and recently founded his company, Legacy Holdings LLC. \nDespite his success, his claim to fame was the first season of NBC's reality show, "The Apprentice," in 2004.\nJackson landed his spot on the show because his friend took the initiative by personally calling producer Mark Burnett instead of submitting an application online or through mail. The call led to a meeting with Burnett and Jackson's invitation to Los Angeles as one of the top 50 finalists.\nAside from taking a proactive approach, Jackson advised people to be accountable for their actions, have no fear, be yourself, know when to shut up and take calculated risks.\n"The biggest barrier to success is a warm blanket of comfort," Jackson said.\nThough Jackson's progressed from his third grade candy company, he said the road to success is not easy.\n"An entrepreneur is someone who gets their teeth kicked in everyday, gets up, puts their teeth back in and asks for more," he said.