Hello everyone, my name is Bret Cole. I was born and still living just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a town called Aliquippa. I am studying in the Energy and Sustainability Policy program, minoring in Energy Business and Finance through the Penn State World Campus. I am hoping to pursue a career in the solar, or Bio-gas technology industries after graduation. My primary interest in this course is not only to fulfill my requirements, but to also get a further understanding on sustainability ethic and the roles that it can play in the energy business industry. There are many great ideas with sustainable practices with and without renewable energy resources. But most of them lack backup in answering the fundamental question, “how is this going to make me money?” No matter what, that is the primary reason businesses are in business is to make money, and it is really important to have proof while either proposing to investors or a board of directors for an idea. I hope to gain some of that insight while working through this course.

I have never started my own business nor have I ran my own business. I have done interviews with small business owners as while as volunteered at small businesses. During those instances, I was introduced to the daily workings, management, finances, and competition of these small businesses. I give praise to owners for all the work that they do. A business that I could imagine having a significant impact on the renewable energy industry would be a Bio-gas technology generating business that can provide this type of technology cheaper and more effectively to dairy, livestock, and poultry farmers. Bio-gas generation has many benefits to farmers and energy creation and getting this technology to farmers would be great impact in the renewable energy industry in the U.S.