Conference encourages future business owners
Yuna Kim
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News
The fifth annual Grinspoon, Garvey and Young Entrepreneurship Conference, titled "The Art of the Start," will be held tomorrow at the MassMutual Convention Center in Springfield. Sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation and business partners, this conference promotes entrepreneurship among college students.
This is especially significant, stated Smith's Assistant Director of Women and Financial Independence Rene Heavlow, because college students make up only a small demographic of business owners. Over 500 collegiate students in the Pioneer Valley interested in starting their own business or growing their current enterprise will attend this conference.
"I think that especially in a liberal arts institution, it's a hands-on practical endeavor; it's a way of putting the knowledge you gather in the classroom to use," Heavlow said.
The 13 Smith students attending this conference range from first-years to seniors. Heavlow and Susannah Howe, Director of the Design Clinic for Engineering, will be accompanying the students. The $125 fee for this conference was completely underwritten, leaving no costs to the students.
Heavlow encouraged students to create business cards in order to network with the other students at the conference. Former students who won Spirit Awards-cash prizes given to students to pursue their dreams of entrepreneurship-will also attend.
Participants in the conference will hear from faculty advisors from every school and other students who are successfully navigating businesses.
There will also be vendors and exhibitions that students will be able to explore. A panel called "Start, Grow, Succeed; Grinspoon Alumni" will share stories and experiences with the program attendees.
Students will learn about various aspects of entrepreneurship, including the process of innovation, finding key resources, marketing their businesses, funding, operating in the digital age and navigating commerce.
This is especially significant, stated Smith's Assistant Director of Women and Financial Independence Rene Heavlow, because college students make up only a small demographic of business owners. Over 500 collegiate students in the Pioneer Valley interested in starting their own business or growing their current enterprise will attend this conference.
"I think that especially in a liberal arts institution, it's a hands-on practical endeavor; it's a way of putting the knowledge you gather in the classroom to use," Heavlow said.
The 13 Smith students attending this conference range from first-years to seniors. Heavlow and Susannah Howe, Director of the Design Clinic for Engineering, will be accompanying the students. The $125 fee for this conference was completely underwritten, leaving no costs to the students.
Heavlow encouraged students to create business cards in order to network with the other students at the conference. Former students who won Spirit Awards-cash prizes given to students to pursue their dreams of entrepreneurship-will also attend.
Participants in the conference will hear from faculty advisors from every school and other students who are successfully navigating businesses.
There will also be vendors and exhibitions that students will be able to explore. A panel called "Start, Grow, Succeed; Grinspoon Alumni" will share stories and experiences with the program attendees.
Students will learn about various aspects of entrepreneurship, including the process of innovation, finding key resources, marketing their businesses, funding, operating in the digital age and navigating commerce.
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