The Independent - 10/04/07
Stark State takes it to the ‘extreme’
The entrepreneurial spirit takes over the college classroom; inspires students
Worldwide, the economic landscape has changed. Surviving means taking risks, working hard and knowing the game. That is why Stark State College is teaching the rule book.
Mike Bodnar, Dean of Business Technologies at Stark State College, believes that the future of Stark County is hinged on the business know-how and risk taking of the next generation. It is no longer up to Stark County residents to find good jobs with good pensions and retire after putting in 40 years at one of the factories in the area.
“The days of large manufacturing are gone from Stark County, but start-ups are the future for our graduates,” Bodnar said. “Instead of looking for job opportunities, we want our graduates to have the opportunity to create more jobs.”
This fall, Stark State began teaching entrepreneurial classes under the umbrella of business technologies. The courses allow students specializing in entrepreneurship to earn both one-year and competency certificates.
To kick-off the new program, the school welcomed Extreme Entrepreneurship, a traveling seminar that brings some of the youngest, brightest and most successful of the nation’s entrepreneurs to colleges around the country. The purpose, according to one of the event’s organizers Sheena Lindahl, 25, is to bring the spirit of entrepreneurship to young adults, proving that when hard work and passion collide, great things result.
“It is a way for us to reach our full potential,” Lindahl said, “while helping others see their potential.”
The purpose of the tour fit perfectly into the mission of Stark State College, according to Bodnar. If the students and community could find potential in themselves, that could be all it takes to help the region redefine itself economically.
“A major goal is to (revive) that entrepreneurial spirit in our community,” Bodnar said. “That risk-taking spirit … is the future for our youth and the opportunity for growth in our community.”
Mike Simmons, 25, another of Extreme Entrepreneurship organizers, addressed a group of 300 Stark State students and community members Thursday.
“You won’t have enough money or enough time … to do what I am asking you to do,” Simmons told the group. “Follow your passion and start a business.”
Finding your passion and setting your goals is just the beginning, Simmons said. With advice from business leaders who have found success and by aggressively seeking to make your dreams come true, the end result is almost certain to be a positive one.
“Right now,” Simmons said, “is the only time that you can really take action.”
Taking action, according to guest speaker Ryan Allis, 23, CEO and co-founder of iContact, is the biggest step that an entrepreneur can take. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be challenges, planning or mistakes involved in the process. It simply means that you can’t reach your biggest goals by simply talking about them.
At the end of his session, Allis held a copy of his book “Zero to One Million: How to Build a Company to $1 Million in Sales” above his head and asked, “Who wants a copy of my book?”
Hands shot into the air.
“Who,” Allis asked again, “wants a copy of my book?”
This time, some in the audience cheered, others waved their hands trying to get his attention. Allis repeated his question over and over again until someone got up, walked down to him and took the book from his hand.
Allis smiled and pointed out exactly what he had been trying to prove. “He,” Allis said, “took action.”
For more information about Stark State’s new program visit www.starkstate.edu.
Additional information about all of the speakers involved with Extreme Entrepreneurship is available at www.extremetour.org.