Launch Your Journey

ENTREPRENEUERS: A specialty chocolate maker, a goat farmer and a mobile mechanic are just a few of the 14 individuals who recently completed the first Flight of Launch, Tulsa Community College’s entrepreneur program, and were celebrated at a reception Aug. 24. Members of the first class are, front row from left, Aaron Ballinger, Equinox Comics; Vanessa Somerville, lot.no.6; Shelley Bedingfield, WALLSTRUCK; Chris Matthies, Powerful Patient Solutions; Richard Vu, ViuCast; Frank Martinez and Walt McDaniel, Online Fundraising.

The TCC Launch program shows aspiring entrepreneurs how to take their startup concept to operating business in 16 weeks. It provides local entrepreneurs the resources and information to create a successful business startup in Tulsa with the hopes of expanding the city’s economic base.

“Oklahoma is one of the most active states for entrepreneurial activity and Tulsa is ranked as one of the best places to start a business,” says Tom McKeon, TCC president. “We are proud to be fostering new business ideas at TCC and in the Launch program. I’m confident these new businesses will influence their communities for years to come.”

The program utilizes local business leaders as thought leaders throughout the 16 weeks to guide the Flight participants through critical steps required to take idea to the marketplace. Sessions include: Building Your Business Model; Understanding Your Market Through Research; Intellectual Property and Building Your Revenue Model. The sessions are held at different locations throughout Tulsa including GableGotwals Law Office, TCC Center for Creativity, and SpiritBank.

“Launch has introduced me to great local business leaders and allowed me to network with them to build strong relationships that will continue to help my business long after my time in the Launch program is over,” says Steven Copley, Launch Flight I participant.

Anyone with a business idea wanting to start a company can apply for Launch. Apply today at www.launchyourejourney.com. For more information, call 918-595-7723, or email questions@launchyourejourney.com.

Article Source: http://www.gtrnews.com/greater-tulsa-reporter/8135/launch-at-tcc

I Slept Through Class and became and Entrepreneur

Hello my name is Ryan Sapp.. I have already started two successful companies. One is a real estate business. The other one is called isleptthroughclass.com now a DBA wisecampus.com. The company has already grown to over 25,000 members at 1,000 universities. The site is based around sharing current online lecture notes, and a variety of other free education resources. I started actively pursing the business world when I was 16. I sold my car and invested in the stock market. I then was able to sell that stock and use it for a down payment on a townhome. I now run both of these companies however, wisecampus.com is a lot larger.

Company Name: WiseCampus.com – previously Isleptthroughclass.com

WiseCampus.com is an online web 2.0 resource that delivers a constant stream of educational content including lecture notes and social networking services to college students. The site allows students to review past study guides, helps students who struggle with classroom notes, have attention span issues, or don’t understand the concepts of a classroom lecture. The social networking aspect of the site provides the added benefits of group study sessions, question and answer sections, tutoring, job search and real-time blogging.

The WiseCampus platform currently provides services to more than 20,000 college students with scalable growth to 18 million students. We have a unique opportunity to solve a problem and dominate our niche with a unique product. The company has already begun experiencing revenues through targeted niche advertising, sponsorships, premium memberships, data mining and product/service sales.

Our beginning market is the 18.5 million college students that are enrolled in US higher education institutions. Our primary target is the 18-24 year old student demographic who maintain an annual spending power of $206 billion. We have grown at over 2,000 percent already. In the next five years we project we will reach over 6 million students.

In order to maintain our constant growth, which will include hiring new college graduates, acquiring additional server space, creating site advancements and marketing to our demographic, we are diligently seeking an investment to provide us with the necessary leverage.
As most angel investing and venture capital markets are dead right now (especially in the Midwest where we are located) we have had very little success in our year long pursuit of securing a round of financing. Having the opportunity to present to the sharks and get our brand in front of millions of viewers would be a complete invaluable experience for our growing company.

Ryan Sapp,
Founder
isleptthroughclass.com
DBA wisecampus.com
8070 Casleton Road
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Work 317-5774995 EXT 121
Cell 317-507-0048

FSU College of Business Opens New School

Future business leaders celebrate the start of a new program, aimed at helping them kick-start their career and showcase their skills.

Thursday Florida State University's college of business opened its new "student business incubator" with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The incubator has space to allow eight "student businesses" to operate for up to a year all rent free. The program also pairs budding business owners with mentors in a related field.

Student "business owners" say that without FSU's help it would have taken them easily another six months to get where they are now. The opening of this new office space also coincides with the college's entrepreneur week.

Article Source - http://www.wtxl.com/Global/story.asp?S=13212093
http://www.cob.fsu.edu/

Help Student Become A CEO

Dear: Potential Investor

As a founding member of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization at Fresno City College, I, Dant'e Delt, will have the opportunity to attend the 2010 National CEO Conference which will be held in Chicago, IL November 4-7, 2010. CEO chapters are located on over 140 campuses across North America. The mission of theCEO is to inform, support, and inspire college students to be entrepreneurial and seek opportunity through enterprise creation.

Each member of the club puts a great deal of energy and hard work into qualifying to attend the 2010 National CEO Conference, and we are all thrilled to have an opportunity to attend this important and educational event. Each year, more than 1,600 students, faculty, and others interested in entrepreneurship attend the three day conference.

In order to represent our college and our community at the 2010 National CEO Conference I have to raise $1100, by October 22nd to fund the trip. The money is necessary to cover transportation, accommodations, and admission to the 2010 National CEO Conference.
I am contacting community leaders like you, to request financial assistance. Can I, as a member of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization count on your support? Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated and will go directly toward funding this important educational experience.

This year we are looking to launch our student-run-business, El Colegio Taco. One of our goals in Chicago is to compete in the Business Pitch Competition, which will create more awareness and motivate other entrepreneurs’ in college, who are attending the conference. Please call one of my faculty advisors, Marianne Dunklin, Ph.D. at 559-442-4600 ext. 8490 or Gayla Jurevich, PHR at 559-779-1135 if you would like more information. Thank you for your time.I will follow up.

Sincerely, Dant’e Delt Chief Financial Officer
Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization
Fresno City College
ChapterSCCC Tax ID: 77-0190269

Dant'e Delt Chief Financial Officer of,
Fresno City College's, Collegiate Entrepreneur's Organization
&ALPHA_GAMMA_SIGMA, Honor Society- Member
Dntdelt@yahoo.com (559) 776-4542

Snow College Entrepreneur Seminars

By Jason Pipes

Published on September 07, 2010 at 10:16AM

(Ephraim) Snow College is gearing up for its second series of Entrepreneurship Seminars, beginning this week. The seminars are designed to give local business owners and other entrepreneurs an opportunity to receive advice from successful business leaders from around the state. The seminars will be held each Wednesday at 12:30 PM at the new Karen Huntsman Library at Snow College in Ephraim. The presentations are free of charge, but can also be attended for college credit. This weeks speaker will be David Bateman, the CEO of Property Solution. The topic of the presentation will be “financing your business”. The public is invited to attend any or all of the seminars.

http://midutahradio.com/stories/9514-snow-college-entrepreneur-seminars

Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute Success Story

(WEST OKOBOJI, IA) The Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute is teaching Iowa students how to succeed by offering a week of seminars, mentoring and networking with business leaders. One of them already has a head start on the competition.

"Because we don't have the option to not succeed.

"Tom Bedell co-founded the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute five years ago after decades as a CEO.

"Don't just hang out. Go for it.

"Now he's teaching the next generation of Iowa business leaders - 32 students from five state colleges and universities.

"It's those special people that execute the ideas that tend to be successful entrepreneurs," says Tom Bedell, Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute.

The institute creates friendships, relationships and mentorships to build student success.

"This week helps each of these students better clarify in their own minds, their own hearts, their own passions, this is the me, this what I want to be, this is what I want to do," says Bedell.

Nick Cash found his passion for computer programming many years ago.

"When I find a new idea, I need to kind of jump on it and go investigate," says Nick Cash, Book Hatchery Founder & CEO.

The UNI junior began designing websites in 6th grade and video games by 8th grade.

"Never in my life, up until this point, did I think, alright I'm 21, I'm going to quit my job and start a company," says Cash.

Cash is the founder and CEO of http://www.bookhatchery.com/, helping authors publish books digitally.

"I really just like learning a lot of new things. That's what thrills me," says Cash.

The 21-year-old CEO is already a success story but he still plans to finish college and continue learning.

"The business side of everything is really what's new and so it's great to listen to everybody who has that experience," says Cash.

"You can take that energy and help share with them some skills and some know-how and some connections and all those kinds of things and they'll persevere," says Bedell.

Besides starting his own business, Nick Cash is also one of five finalists nationwide for Entrepreneur Magazine's College Entrepreneur of 2010 contest.

Learn more about Nick's business at http://www.bookhatchery.com/.

Vote for Nick to win Entrepreneur Magazine's College Entrepreneur of 2010 contest at http://www.entrepreneur.com/e2010/vote/college.php#353.Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.Friend her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErikaThomasTV.

Article Source: http://www.kpth.com/Global/story.asp?S=12913127

Annie Mulz

Annie Mulz is an edgy line of tee-shirts designed by the two students, Michael Toney and Matthew Osofisan. They are currently Northeastern University students—Matthew majors in entrepreneurship and Michael is a business major with a big interest in clothing design—who met during their freshmen year. They are selling their stuff on-line and in kiosks they set up around Boston, on Harvard Square and on Newbury Street.

Here’s a link to a great profile on the guys: http://boldfacers.com/index.cfm?page=profile&profile_id=183

And here is some examples of their products: http://anniemulz.bigcartel.com/about-us
Michael himself is an interesting story. He is at Northeastern on a full scholarship, and is a first-generation college student in his family. It’s a great example of a young, bright and determined scholar making a name for himself in Boston.

Boston University's Real Estate Expert

Boston University junior ALEX HODARA has done something that no other college entrepreneur has previously done. He has pioneered the first full-time college student owned and operated real estate agency.During his freshman and sophomore summer vacations Hodara worked for Century 21's International Headquarters, a company he now consults for. Feeling that the current real estate model was archaic and not addressing the concerns of the Generation Y market he decided to venture on his own.

In 2008, Hodara obtained his broker's license, paid for four of his friends to get their real estate licenses, and launched HODARA REAL ESTATE GROUP. The company was launched with no financial backing aside from the money Hodara had saved from other entrepreneurial adventures when in his teens.

Since opening in January 2009, the company's revenue to date is an impressive six figures with expected growth into 2010. Recently they expanded into a second office that accommodates 12 agents with another 12 expected to be hired this fall.

HODARA REAL ESTATE GROUP currently has thousands of properties listings in the greater Boston area and is in the process of acquiring their first investment property. They hope to expand into other college friendly towns using the same business model.

Hodara's ultimate goal is to provide college students the opportunity to obtain hands-on business and sales experience while attending college. This fall he will open HODARA REAL ESTATE ACADEMY so students can obtain residential and commercial real estate licenses while receiving hand-on training.

For More Information Please Visit http://www.hodararealestate.com

Student Entrepreneur Makes Rich Gadgets Affordable

A UNIVERSITY student has set up a new business to bring the gadgets of the rich and famous to a wider market.

Tom Kadwill, 19, is in the early days of an online venture called Tekrux, supplying automated technology for lighting and other electrical appliances around the home.

He has two suppliers, one in the UK and another in the Netherlands. Their gadgetry enables people to use items such as a £15 keyring, which can operate lights and switch the television on or off.

Tom, of Harley Street, Leigh, said: “Usually this technology is found in rich homes, but my aim is to bring to everyone at a price they can afford.

“The keyring item can turn lights on as you arrive home at night and is more energy saving than leaving a light on while you are out.

“It’s good for older people and those with mobility problems. “My nan uses the light and TV controller from her bed.”

Tom, a former Deanes School pupil and Seevic student, also works part time at Little Havens Children’s Hospice.

He is currently studying for a degree in economics, at the University of Hertfordshire, and is into the second round of their Flare business competition, with a £15,000 prize up for grabs.

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4828260.Student_entrepreneur_makes_rich_gadgets_affordable/

Drexel sophomore picked as College Entrepreneur of the Year

“Save your receipts” may be the rule in the workplace for getting reimbursed for expenses, but those slips of paper are just so much trash to a college student.

That’s what Drexel University student Bradley Ericson pondered as he observed transactions at the checkout counter at campus dining halls.

Students have a meal plan and tap it electronically by using their student identification card. But the cashier still hands over a printed piece of thermal paper. Soon after, that receipt winds up on the floor or counter.

A freshman at Drexel’s LeBow College of Business in the fall of 2008, Ericson thought a digital receipt would be more convenient for the consumer. Digital receipts would also save money for the dining hall, which would not need to buy rolls of paper. That sounded to him like it could be the start of a business plan.

“The convenience factor is the most important,” Ericson said. “I want to make my daily activities easier.”

Today, Ericson has a company, called 3SecondReceipts L.L.C., that tested its software on Drexel servers this fall. (The name came from his research, which found a thermal-paper receipt has an “average life span” of only 3 seconds before it gets wadded up and tossed.)

It works like this: When the student’s ID card gets swiped, it enables the dining hall to debit his or her meal plan tied to the student’s identification number. Ericson’s software hooks into the point-of-sale system and creates a digital receipt of the transaction that gets sent to buyer and seller. Students can log in to their campus accounts to see how much they spent and what they spent it on.

Ericson said he thought the digital receipt functionality would go “live” campuswide at Drexel in three or four months. If it performs for more than 21,000 students as well as he hopes, Ericson’s next calls will be to Temple, Penn, and other area colleges.

Last spring, he became the first freshman to place in the Laurence A. Baiada Center’s Business Plan Competition at Drexel. He didn’t win it, but he came away with $1,000 as a finalist.
Losing that competition bothered him. He learned that while he had a good idea, that didn’t make it a good business prospect. Ericson didn’t go home to Fair Lawn, N.J., for summer break, but stayed in Philadelphia to work on his business plan.

Meanwhile, a different set of judges in another competition this week singled him out over many other entrepreneurs on campuses across the United States. Entrepreneur magazine Thursday named the Drexel sophomore its 2009 College Entrepreneur of the Year.

The designation provides 3SecondReceipts with $5,000 in seed capital and it gives Ericson some bragging rights with his three siblings.

After all, his brother Timothy started a firm in November 2007 when he was at Drexel. Today, CityRyde L.L.C. is a consulting firm in Philadelphia that helps universities and municipalities design and implement bike-sharing programs.

At 19, Bradley Ericson and his start-up story have already been featured on ABC News and in Forbes magazine. It will get retold in Entrepreneur magazine next month.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillyinc/Drexel_University_sophomore_picked_as_College_Entrepreneur_of_the_Year.html

Bright Eyed Entrepreneur

My name is Martin Simms, and I’d like to introduce myself to you as one of the co-founders of Bright Eyed Entrepreneurs. Even in the midst of this difficult economy, opportunity abodes for those willing to take risks and work hard to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

BEE Partners (Bright Eyed Entrepreneurs) is a PR/Marketing consulting company comprised of four liked minded students/ emerging entrepreneurs that have established a way to make our own internship/job. We are all 4th year college students that have attained knowledge of a number of business operations and are ready to use them.

In the current economy, we recognize that it can sometimes be difficult to attain the exact job/intern you desire. Often, people settle for a job that they never had any aspiration to do. We truly believe that doing what you are good at and what you love is the key.

In order to be competitive In today’s marketplace, education must be complimented by experience. As we set out as young entrepreneurs building our business we’ve adopted a unique philosophy we believe will help us achieve long-term success. We work at low and sometimes no-cost with struggling companies to assist them with their PR and Marketing campaigns. The companies we help reposition are able to give us college internship credits.

Our approach enables us to dramatically discount our services. By using quick and effective guerrilla marketing techniques we’re able to attract new clients in a difficult marketplace. Although we initially are not making as much money as as our services are worth, our incoming business will generate future profits and customer loyalty that will enable us to thrive as we move forward.

Aside from our business to business Marketing and PR campaigns, we are also currently working on the following projects:

1. Deep Discount Coupon Booklet for Cal Poly Pomona Students (Attached Sample Cover)

2. The Good Life-Simply good food. An affordable quick service restaurant that has a guilt-free menu (Healthy food doesn't have to be expensive)

3. A book from the minds of students written for students about some of the misrepresentations of college, and some concepts and ideas to be aware of that may help a student progress in college and life.

6 Reasons we started this company

-To gain experience, knowledge and skills to be able to start our own large scale firm and innovate the industry with our entrepreneurial mindset

-College internship credits

-Resume Booster (self-starters, Experience)

-Gain experience working with a variety of businesses

-Networking

-We are energetic young entrepreneurs committed to success

-Help struggling companies to succeed (Help do our part to enhance the economy)

Martin Simms (562)400-0609Partner BrighteyedMLS@gmail.com Bright Eyed Entrepreneurs"Progression is a mindset that relies on thought provocation" WWW.BRIGHTEYEDENTREPRENEURS.COM

Meet Mitchell Hislop

BIO:

Mitchell Hislop refuses to stop hustling. He started his first company the summer before he started college, and since then, has moved around quite a bit. He currently is working at Cool (intl), starting up their interactive marketing agency. In addition to this, he is working on a startup, Beyond Policy, which is in its early stages. He is doing all this while pursuing a double major in political science and marketing, with a minor in communications.

Contact info:
Work: 612-782-8200
Cell-612-293-8210
website: www.mitchellhislop.com
Mitchell Hislopmitchellhislop.extendr.com

Free Entrepreneur Strategy Form

I'd like to encourage you to login: http://www.excellerated.com/yesmovie and download Your Personal Entrepreneurial Strategy form.

This is a very powerful business tool that can provide you with feedback on the relative fit between you and a venture opportunity, by identifying your behaviors, attitudes, management skills, experience, know-how, contacts and leadership tendencies. DC Cordova sends her loving regards and wishes you tremendous success and encourages you to continue to pursue your goal to becoming a Global Entrepreneur.

If you wish to listen again (or for the first time) the teleconference she did for us on Global Entrepreneurship, login: Playback Dial-in Number: 1-270-400-2003 East Coast Playback Access Code: 340047

Your Friend,
Louis Lautman
YES Entertainment
PO Box 191211
Miami Beach, Fl 33119 US

Meet Matt Wislon

I have networked with people all over the world and one of the most energetic and inspiring people on earth is Matt Wilson.

@MattWilsonTV on Twitter – Matt’s Blog – Matt@Under30CEO.com

Matt Wilson graduated Bryant University with a clear goal of starting his own business. While in school, Matt led Bryant University to becoming the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization of the year and became National Student Leader of the Year. After moving home he realized there was a lack of smart, innovative, and ambitious people to communicate with. This is where he began to realize the need to bring all these people together who also decided the corporate happy hour wasn’t going to be good enough.

Engage

“If you had to encourage a college entrepreneur with one word what would it be and why?”

ENGAGE.

“Because the Gen-Y demographic (college students) are largely NOT engaged. They are ambitious, bright, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. However, they need to ENGAGE with their peers, ENGAGE in social media, ENGAGE with their community, and they will see how this catapults them towards success. I have done it myself and seen what it has done to myself as a
brand and my career path!”

Sarah Merion –College Entrepreneur www.sarahmerion.com