The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour (EET) will visit West Liberty University on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 to introduce students and the community to the opportunities available through entrepreneurship. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the R. Emmett Boyle Conference Center located inside the Academic Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC).
Sponsored by the Gary E. West College of Business and the Center for Entrepreneurship at West Liberty University, the tour and its programs will help students explore ways in which they can help drive the economy, create jobs for themselves and pursue their passions.
“We welcome the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour to campus and we look forward to introducing students and the public to a new thinking that shows them how to leverage their entrepreneurial mindset regardless of career path. The tour inspires them to plan, prioritize and pursue their own vision,” said Carrie White, director of WLU’s Center for Entrepreneurship, a division of the Gary E. West College of Business.
The day will include a 1:50 p.m., panel discussion with two WLU alumni, local businessman Leslie “Les” DeFelice ‘76 and successful artist/illustrator Jesse Lenz ‘10 and one current student, entrepreneur Hugo Andreini, co-owner/president of TMI.
There also will be a 12:20 p.m. “Dream Action,” workshop and networking opportunity, as well as three informative speakers.
– 11:10 a.m., EJ Carrion, who has been featured on ABC, NBC and Fox News affiliates, Steven Washington, who was honored by The White House as one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs under 30 years old.
– 11:40 a.m., Steven Washington, while earning a degree from West Chester University, he launched his first company, Washington Distributions, an import/export business where he brokered international deals between clothing/apparel manufacturers in southeast Asia and retailers (both online and offline) in the US, Europe and Africa. This business began generating upwards of $10,000 a month in profits – all while operating out of his college dorm room.
– 1:20 p.m., Robert Nicholson, the executive director of The Nicholson Center, which is currently working on a new venture to provide day habilitation programming and employment opportunities to adults with mental and developmental disabilities.
There also will be gift bags to registrants, giveaways and refreshments available.
The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour is organized by Empact, 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.”
To register for the WLU event, please click here.