Entrepreneurship Workshop

Nov 02, 2011

Presenters at USC/Columbia Technology Center from l to r: Lew Wayburn, NuQool; Agata Chydzinski, USC Incubator; Kelly Truesdale, SysEDA; Bill Brewer, DPX Labs; Marilyn Becker, Transfer Point; and Bill Kirkland, Incubator Entrepreneur in Residence.

More than 34 educators representing 27 schools or districts attended MEBA's Entrepreneurship Workshop and Field Study to learn more about one of the fastest growing areas of today's job market and a strong contributor to economic growth -- entrepreneurship. Held on November 2, the event featured speakers from varying perspectives and provided a first-hand look at some Midlands entrepreneurship success stories. 

Educators were encouraged to engage students in the world of entrepreneurship through simulations and virtual management of companies that also help develop math, leadership and team building skills. Presenters said that even students as young as middle school can successfully manage their own business and stressed two key ingredients to success – passion for your work and a strong network of professionals to help minimize the risk.

Featured presenters included Dr. Carol Lynn Nute, White Knoll High School’s Virtual Enterprise; Nancy Verburg, Lexington School District One; Joyce Simons, Dent Middle School in Richland Two; Norma Brown, School of Business at Dutch Fork High School with the School District of Lexington Richland Five; Tom Ledbetter, Midlands Technical College’s Enterprise Campus; and Karen Owens, Microburst Learning.

Participants then toured Logan Energy as well as the USC/Columbia Technology Center where they heard from Agata Chydzinski and Bill Kirkland with the USC Incubator, Lew Wayburn with NuQool, Kelly Truesdale with SysEDA, Bill Brewer with DPX Labs and Marilyn Becker with Transfer Point.

View pictures from MEBA’s Entrepreneurship Workshop and Field Study.

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