Entrepreneurs in Action!
Altoona LaunchBox Bootcamp
The Altoona LaunchBox Bootcamp is underway, with more than 20 entrepreneurs from the area taking part in the free 8-week session. The weekly sessions are under the direction of Paul Cooney, professor of practice in entrepreneurship at Penn State Altoona. So far they have heard John Horell speak about his entrepreneurial path to becoming an accountant who specializes in tax credits. John also spoke about selecting accounting systems and how to approach the funding of your venture. The class took a tour of the Catalyst Space and learned about the resources available to members. Attorney Ben Yeager talked to the group during another session about the different forms of business structure and how to pick the right one to run your business. A key point Cooney made during the opening session was that the bootcamp is here to motivate the entrepreneurs into action, to change their lives to better themselves and their families, and to work together and work hard to earn a $10,000 grant! The winner will be announced in December.
Writing Your Business Plan
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Altoona LaunchBox
Free and open to the public
Penn State Altoona is partnering with the Small Business Development Corporation to offer a follow up program to its October Pre-business Planning Workshop, called Writing Your Business Plan. This 2-hour workshop will focus on the importance of a business plan and what elements a good one should include.
The program is free, but we ask you to pre-register by contacting Sue Stevens at SAS79@psu.edu or 814-940-3401.
LIVE!
Thursday, November 16th
5:00 p.m.
Altoona LaunchBox
1331 12th Avenue
Downtown Altoona
Speaker: Lindsey Riley
Topic: Small Business Express Loans (SBX)
Entrepreneurs are invited to this free session to learn from Lindsey Riley, personal banker/e-banking specialist, Reliance Bank, about Small Business Express Loans through Reliance Bank. It’s a program that streamlines the lending process so that small businesses can receive loans faster, easier, and more efficiently.
The session continues at Railroad City Brewery with entrepreneurs and local business owners involved in networking and discussion.
For more information, contact Rachelle Reasy at rachelle@KIZResources.com or 814-296-2414.
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the annual celebration of Penn State’s year-round commitment to innovation. It brings together students, faculty, staff, and community members to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and cultivate student start-ups. Each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national, and global events that help them explore their potential as innovators and self-starters. If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, and enjoy spending time with like-minded members of the Altoona community, join us at GEW Penn State Altoona.
Some of the events include a student entrepreneur panel talking about running a business while in college, successful women entrepreneurs who will talk about the opportunities and challenges of operating a business, the Entrepreneur-in-Residence program featuring Sarah Vogel from The Clay Cup, Fast Track to Success with local business leaders sharing experiences with Penn State Altoona students, learning about patents, and many of the other programs listed in this newsletter to start your own business.
For a complete list of events, visit https://sites.psu.edu/sheetzcenter/entrepreneurship/global-entrepreneurship-week online.
Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Mr. Darren Miller
Founder, Team Forever + Forever Fund
Penn State Altoona students had the opportunity to meet with Darren Miller in October. He offered the students a very different business perspective. Darren was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Inspired to raise significant charitable funding for his non-profit, the “Oceans Seven” journey took him across five continents, including the countries of England, France, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as California and Hawaii. He is an avid weightlifter, mountaineer, and distance runner, having qualified for the Boston Marathon, as well as completing several 50- and 100-mile ultra-marathons.
Here’s what some of the students had to say:
- “Mr. Miller spoke a lot about finding your passion and doing what makes you happy, and if you follow your passion, you’ll find success in whatever form it may take. I found what he talked about very helpful for my own life and career.”
- “Great information on how to grow personally, as well as communicate going into the “real world” of business.”
- “Mr. Miller provided great insight into my ideas and gave great advice for an aspiring entrepreneur. It was very valuable. I am so happy to have had this opportunity.”
- “Great person with an amazing story about never giving up!”
The EIR program provides students with opportunities to expand their network and get immediate feedback on their ventures or entrepreneurial career goals and aspirations.
Sheetz Fellows Program
The Sheetz Fellows welcomed special guest Mrs. Donna Humski, Johnson & Johnson, senior director, North America Consumer Supply Planning to their team meeting in October. With 35 years of experience at J&J, Humski talked to the students about important resumé and interviewing skills as they prepare to enter the corporate world. She also held individual sessions throughout the day with students to discuss their resumé and sell their story – not just tell it – so they can get through the initial gate-keeping process. She also talked with the students about interviewing skills, starting with researching the company and interviewer before the interview and how to strategically answer an interviewer’s questions to sell yourself. The Fellows felt Humski was an excellent speaker, whose session on resumé development and interviewing skills was extremely helpful as they prepare for upcoming interviews.
The marketing group under the Sheetz Fellows Program has a subcommittee dedicated to alumni and campus engagement. This group works to maintain contact and involvement with Sheetz Fellows who have graduated from the program. Sheetz Fellow alum and former President Tori Liebal spoke at their team meeting in October. Tori shared her experiences as a Sheetz Fellow with the group and how it helped her land a job after graduation. Tori is currently the vice president of social media relations for The Blair County Chamber of Commerce. Coming up in December, alum Caleb Bowser will travel from Pittsburgh to share his expertise with the Fellows.
It’s competition time! Students with an idea for a business venture are encouraged to submit their registration to compete for prize money, incubator space at The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, a mentor, and in-kind awards. For more information, visit http://sites.psu.edu/pechter.
Vertical Adventures
The junior class of the Sheetz Fellows completes the Vertical Adventures Course at Stone Valley Recreation in State College each year. This is a four-hour exercise that pushes the Fellows outside of their comfort zone, by having them work in teams high above the ground to successfully get through the course! During the exercise, the recreation directors work with them on teamwork and developing leadership skills to complete the mission safely. Every year the students come away with more confidence in themselves and as a group.
