Daniel J. Ruotolo, CPA, MS, Mount Laurel resident and principal of NOW! Financial Network (NFN) in Mount Laurel and Cherry Hill, was the keynote speaker the Y.A.L.E. School Cherry Hill Campus graduation on June 15, 2017. He addressed the students, parents and school administration and staff on the importance of social entrepreneurship and paying it forward. This came at the conclusion of a yearlong program in which the NFN Student Working Professionals (SWP) division worked with ten (10) Y.A.L.E. Standard 9 program students.
Through the SWP and Y.A.L.E. collaboration, the Standard 9 program students were taught how to start a business and gained practical experience in areas that included digital scanning and file management, paperless workflow, digital accounting, financial management, 3D printing and design, office communications, marketing and event planning. They also explored such fields as landscaping, construction, culinary arts and computer programming. Beyond the business skills, SWP instilled the importance of being involved and giving back to the community. The group volunteered with various non-profit organizations including People for People in Gloucester County, Angels of Mercy in Glassboro and the Boys and Girls Club of Gloucester County.
Said Ruotolo in his keynote speech, “A Social Entrepreneur is a person who operates in a socially and financially conscience way. One who makes choices and decisions from a what is in it for ‘us’ versus what is in it for ‘me’ perspective.” He went on to share that anyone could be a social entrepreneur: students, young adults, employees and business owners. It is a matter of understanding and living the values then to Pay IT Forward. He added, “The IT is a gift or passion and everyone has IT! My passion is helping young people find their passion while teaching them real world job skills that will enable them to have a career they will enjoy and be successful at it. That’s the mission of SWP.”
NOW! Financial Network is group of companies with professionals providing comprehensive business solutions through consulting, mentoring and hands on education and training. The companies, Ruotolo, Spewak & Co. (RSCO), Visions in Innovative Accounting (VIA), Student Working Professionals (SWP) and Digital Accounting Institute (DAI), cover areas that include financial planning, accounting, operational functionality, QuickBooks and marketing. SWP has been operating for over 20 years as a program operating under its collaborative partner companies and became an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2014. Its mission is transform the students of today into the stars of tomorrow who will evolve into the socially conscious leaders of the future. The program uses a Teach Learn Philosophy, instills a School Comes First standard and promotes a Pay It Forward way of life. NOW! Financial Network has two offices in South Jersey – 101 Chestnut Avenue in Mount Laurel and 41 Kings Highway N in Cherry Hill. For more information, visit NOWFinancialNetwork.com, SWPstars.org or call (856) 273-1282.
