Entrepreneurship: A First Look

Nov 03, 2010

Pictured from l to r: Jim Stritzinger, Immedion; Mary Susan Williamson, Lexington Two; Katherine Robinson, EngenuitySC; and Debbie Manos, Lexington Two.

Twenty-eight educators from across the Midlands enjoyed MEBA’s first Entrepreneurship Field Study on November 3, 2010. Participants heard from local entrepreneurs about how they started their companies and what they look for in their employees.

"Information vital to an entrepreneur is all coming together for me," said Ann Holland with Richland Two Charter High School. "From FastTrac information for people beginning a business to the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) Columbia Innovation Center for those whose businesses are launched, it all begins to make sense after this field study."

Serving on the planning group and securing speakers and tours along with MEBA staff members were Tom Ledbetter, Executive Director, Enterprise Campus; Joel Stevenson, Executive Director, USC Columbia Incubation Technology Center; and Katherine Robinson, EngenuitySC.

Ledbetter kicked off the field study with an entertaining and thought-provoking presentation on traits of an entrepreneur followed by a tour of Trulite, a start-up company at Midlands Technical College’s Enterprise Campus. The group then traveled to the USC Columbia Technology Incubator where they were welcomed by Joel Stevenson. Four speakers -- John Bruens of Bridge to Life, Kim Neel of Alala, Tim Davis of Advanced Care Management, and Haley Keisler of Hermosa Jewelry -- whose businesses were housed at the incubator center shared stories of their journey to become small business owners.

The day’s final stop was a tour of the new SC Research Authority (SCRA) Columbia Innovation Center where Jim Stritzinger, Immedion; Dave McNamara, SC Launch; and Marvin Davis, SCRA; shared stories about the companies housed at the complex.