Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
| By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Bay Path College will be hosting an Innovative Thinking and Entrepreneurship Summit Nov. 5. Small business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals are all invited to the free summit to network, share and learn. The summit ties in with the college's graduate program in entrepreneurial thinking and innovative practices. "It's targeted at the external community with a focus on an impact of the economic community," Lauren Way, director of the Entrepreneurial Program, explained. "The summit inspires those interested in starting their own small businesses and helps those who already have them. It explains the where, the how and the what." The summit, now in its third year, draws between 250 and 300 entrepreneurs from an area that stretches from Greenfield to Boston to Connecticut, but there is a focus on small business in the Greater Springfield region, according to Way. A networking reception kicks off the summit so interested entrepreneurs can make acquaintances from different fields. Way stated that a game used this year will use "power networking" to connect those in attendance. Following a welcome from Way, interested persons are invited to attend one of four different "breakout sessions" that focus on a variety of entrepreneurial and small business issues. "Coach Me into Greatness!" tackles the issue of whether or not and when to hire a business coach. Facilitated by Kim George, founder and CEO of The AQ Institute and author of "Coaching into Greatness: 4 Steps to Success in Business in Life," a panel of four other small business owners will come together to discuss how their companies have been transformed by working with professional coaches. The panel for this session is made up of Carrie Hemenway of Carrie Hemenway Coaching; Jess Dods, president of Right Choice Careers; Amy Grabowski, owner of Fiscal Training Solutions; and Carol Scheier, owner of Patchwork Hill Studios. Ginny Wilmerding, business owner, consultant and author of "Smart Women and Small Business: How to Make the Leap from Corporate Careers to the Right Small Enterprise," will host a session called "Making the Leap." The focus of this session will be entrepreneurial alternatives to the world of big business for those who don't know where to start. Managing partner for Angel Catalyst and manager of the River Valley Investors Paul G. Silva will host "Best Practices for New Business Launch," discussing the critical steps and mistakes that should be avoided when creating a new business venture. The final session offered will be "Creating a Guide for a Life You Love," led by Amy Jamrog of The Jamrog Group. It will cover the steps needed to integrate the work life and home life of an entrepreneur. Participants of the summit are invited to choose two sessions to attend, the first at 5 p.m., the second at 6:15 p.m., and can choose from any of the four offered. Way said she tries to choose female speakers for these sessions to inspire the female-only undergraduate population at Bay Path. "Women need women role models," she said. "The growth of women starting new businesses is expanding exponentially." The summit ends with dinner and a lecture from keynote speaker Nadine Thompson. After beginning her career in social work, Thompson co-founded Warm Spirit, a company that produces and sells high quality nature-based beauty and wellness products. In 1997, the company made $84,000 in sales; in 2006, it made $15 million. She also co-wrote "Values Sell: Transforming Purpose into Profit." "She's a social entrepreneur," Way stated. "She's leaving Warm Spirit and starting a new venture on her own. She's really interested in inspiring others. Thompson believes in doing well by doing good." In addition to the summit, the Entrepreneurial Program also hosts an annual Innovative Thinking and Entrepreneurship Lecture. This year's featured speaker is William A. Burke, III, president of LENOX American Saw. This event draws up to 300 people as well, but is invitation only and open more to current CEOs than those just starting their own businesses. The Innovators Roundtable brings entrepreneurs to the Longmeadow campus to share their experiences with students and staff. "The Entrepreneurial Program reaches all the students on campus," Way stated. "It's available to all students interested, not just business majors." The Innovative Thinking and Entrepreneurial Summit is open to students of the college and the public. While free of charge, pre-registration is required. Way encourages all those interested to register by Oct. 31 by either calling or emailing Kellie Lavoie at 565-1054 or klavoie@baypath.edu. For more information on the summit, visit Bay Path College's Web site at www.baypath.edu. |