Posted by
daver in
Taking Care of Business on
October 23, 2012 |
no responses Faster, bigger, better, smarter. Those are the adjectives that inspire entrepreneurs to throw their business ideas into the ring and duke it out for market share.
Entrepreneurship is a full contact sport that takes undiminished enthusiasm, high energy and business savvy to emerge as the last person standing. I’ve had a front row seat here in Kent where I’ve seen business ideas pop up, fall flat and be reborn. It’s painful to see lifelong dreams fail but it’s fantastic to see them succeed.
There’s so many variables that it’s hard to predict success or failure which is why the City rallies behind every business idea in hopes of future success. The big box stores leave little to chance, they are methodical in selecting store locations, they are strict in their store layouts and they are obsessive over product display — which is why no matter where you go the big box store looks the same.
There’s nothing wrong with sameness but there’s room for more and that’s where the entrepreneurs carve out their niche. Entrepreneurs usually don’t have the benefit of extensive market research and purchasing data that the mega-chains keep, but they have a passion for their business and they jump in head first hoping to land on their feet.
Some make it, some don’t. High churn rates are common in the entrepreneur world, it seems to be a part of the entrepreneurs make up. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
There may not be many guarantees in the world of entrepreneurship but getting educated definitely improves the odds of success which is why I was happy to share information that the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour is returning to Kent State University this week, during the 7th Annual Entrepreneurship Extravaganza.
Here’s a summary of the event that the KSU business school sent my way:
WHAT: Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour (www.extremetour.org)
WHY: As the economy continues to struggle, job hunters, particularly recent college grads, are faced with limited options and a daunting search. Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour co-founder Michael Simmons believes that prospective entrepreneurs should be inspired, not intimidated by the current economic climate, and that entrepreneurship is well within reach of virtually anyone who has an idea, and the drive to start their own business. In fact, more than half the companies on the 2009 Fortune 500 list were launched during a recession or bear market.
The Center for Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation at Kent State University’s College of Business Administration is pleased to host the The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, which is being presented by Empact. Since 2006, Empact has held more than 400 events in 35 states, exposing thousand to the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and to those who have successfully launched their own businesses.
WHERE: Kent State University Student Center, Grand Ballroom
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
WHO: The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour – the first ever collegiate entrepreneur tour –includes keynotes, exhibits, workshops, and question-and-answer sessions led by the country’s most successful young entrepreneurs. The Tour was created in 2006 by two twenty-somethings to expose young people to entrepreneurship. In more than 400 events in 35 states, the tour has featured many of the country’s top young entrepreneurs who have built or sold successful companies for over $1 million before the age of 30.
NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAMPAIGN INSPIRES PEOPLE TO CREATE THEIR OWN JOBS Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour Features Workshops, Keynotes by Country’s Top Entrepreneurs
KENT, OH —The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour (EET) will visit Kent State University on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 to introduce students and members of the local community to the opportunities that are available through entrepreneurship. The event will take place during the 7th Annual Entrepreneurship Extravaganza, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Kent State University Student Center, Grand Ballroom.
This Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour event is being sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation at Kent State University’s College of Business Administration, to help students explore ways in which they can help drive the economy, create jobs for themselves and pursue their passions.
The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour is organized by Empact [www.iempact.com], and has held more than 400 events across 35 states, since 2006. The tour has also featured many of the country’s top young entrepreneurs who have built or sold successful companies for over $1 million before the age of 30.
“Creating a culture of entrepreneurship in our country is paramount to leading us out of the current economic downturn, and driving job growth, both now and for the future.” said Arel Moodie, partner at Empact. “Community members across the country are learning they can’t wait for someone else to provide them with a job. Instead, they realize that rather than waiting for opportunity to knock, now is the time to take action and open the door that will ultimately lead to success.”
Prospective entrepreneurs should be inspired, not intimidated, by the current economic climate, according to Michael Simmons, co-founder of the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour. “More than half the companies on the 2009 Fortune 500 list were launched during a recession or bear market,”said Simmons. “Technology and globalization have made it very inexpensive to start a business. Now is the best time to become your own boss.”
