Thursday March, 1 Business studies invited five successful entrepreneurs to Bucks, to speak at the event “show me the money.”
They spoke about ideas, pitching, financing, and business studies announced two new initiatives that potentially could earn you $25.000!
The panel leading the young entrepreneur-dreamers were as followed: Michael Lackman, CEO at Petflow, which is shipping over $1 million pounds of pet food each month.
Jeff Snellenburg who is working with multiple angel groups with financing and start-up.
Catherine Cook, co-founder of social media MeetMe, which has a revenue on $45 million (2014).
David Gritz, co-founder of Hatch House Ventures, which is a live-work start-up incubator network and serial entrepreneur.
The event was a success with over 100 people showing up and Snellenburg has a guess on why so many students participated: “More people don’t wanna sit behind the desk or work for other people anymore,” he reasons.
The panelists shared their experience in the work field and gave advice to the students, who like themselves seek to become an entrepreneur.
“It’s more about the idea than the entrepreneur ambition,” says Lackman though, “there are some hazards of being an entrepreneur just for the sake of being an entrepreneur.”
Something that was spoken much about was how important the person behind the product is and what personal values they should possess.
When Snellenburg meets potential collaborators, he asks himself: “Do they have expertise? Do they seem trustworthy and honest?”, while Lackman says “it’s a healthy mix of self-confidence and pessimism.”
Cook established MeetMe, with her brother, when she was only 15 years old.
Her most important advice for the day was: “Do it! It’s so much easier to create something when you’re young and don’t have a ton of responsibility.”
The talk also turned in on making a product unique.
“Today it is about appealing to people as a better retailer,” says Lackman and Snellenburg agrees: “Find something that differentiate yourself.”
Gritz seemed optimistic about the risk of this happening.
“Although your product might not be unique. Every costumer you talk to; if they haven’t heard from your competitors and they have the need – you’re different to them.”
Bucks’ business department is currently evolving in a very interesting way, and Dean Timby could after the panel announce that a new entrepreneurship program will air fall 2016.
Snellenburg is excited about this opportunity: “I think it’s awesome!” Furthermore, is a rein action of the popular tv-show “Shank Tank” on the table, which will reportedly include prizes for a $100,000.
The competition will be open for everyone in Bucks County, and will start in spring 2017.
For more information about these two new exciting initiatives, contact Professor Luce at [email protected] or (215)-968-8299.