Running head: SYNTHESIS ESSAY 1
Synthesis Essay
Monica Kenney
INDS 400
February 25, 2019
SYNTHESIS ESSAY 2
Areas of Study
My areas of study are behavioral science, psychology, and business. I have a worked hard
in all areas of study. I am very interested in helping individuals with mental disorders such as
depression and anxiety. In addition, I am very passionate about alpacas and love to go into the
business realm. I have spent many hours trying to figure out how to incorporate my three areas of
study. I believe that if you can make a business that benefits the general public psychologically. I
believe that I have made an excellent choice in my areas of study because I can use them to help
others in need.
Business Idea
For the past two summers I have had the pleasure of working for an innovative alpaca
farm in central Maine – the Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm. I plan to work there again this
summer. I have learned so much about this remarkable creature as I have cared for more than 40
animals, witnessed births, fed them, cleaned up after them, given tours to visitors, and worked as
a salesperson in the retail store on the farm. I have also worked on taking period inventory of the
various products sold in the store and have updated the pricing of the products from time to time.
To me, the farm is more than just a farm and a store. It is an educational experience as well as a
therapeutic experience. Many visitors come for the peaceful and heartwarming energy that the
alpacas give off and often time will mediate with the alpacas. Over the past two summers I have
realized that my skills in marketing, behavioral science and psychology can come in hand if I
want to start an alpaca farm of my own. I have even been able to come up with plans to start my
own farm.
I have identified an initial product mix of 13 items that will be sold in the retail store.
These items will include dog sweaters, clothing for kids, gift items, mittens and gloves, hats,
SYNTHESIS ESSAY 3
home décor, vests and coats, scarves, sweaters, socks, toys, and yarn. These products will be
offered through the retail store. A second component of the business plan will focus on building
a viable “laboratory farm” that will round out the alpaca experience and service as an education
tool and link to the community. Once this farm is well established, we will begin selling alpacas
and offering opportunities for customers to lease alpacas to share in an ownership experience.
This lease program will generate funds to offset the cost of the farm operations. The market for
breeding and selling alpacas in the United States is maturing every year. There a now almost
200,000 registered alpacas in the country. And lastly, I will incorporate meditation and yoga
sessions that can be done with the alpacas. This is a trendy way to get individuals to incorporate
mindfulness and self-care into their life. Animals are very therapeutic, and this will bring joy and
peace to many visitors who long for relaxation and a peace of mind. All my areas of study are
able to be applied to this projected business idea and there is evidence that animal therapy is very
effective.
Biblical Application
As a future entrepreneur I need to apply Jesus’ teaches to my business to be successful.
There are plenty of scriptures in the Bible that address the importance of fair labor. Leviticus
19:13 states “you should not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep
for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning.” Therefore, entrepreneurs need to pay
laborers a fair wage and not make excessive profits through unreasonably low wages. Day
laborers in the Old Testament and New Testament were generally poorer people who lacked land
to farm themselves. They were especially dependent on immediate payment for their work, and
thus needed to be paid at the close of each day (Deuteronomy 24:14-15). In our world today,
there millions of people around the world who live daily on less than the cost of a large
SYNTHESIS ESSAY 4
cappuccino at Starbucks. In addition, James talks about taking care of those who are less
fortunate than we are. It is important as a future Christian business owner that I incorporate
kindness and love to be able to help those who suffer from mental illnesses.
