Nina started off by describing how some individuals have “scribed identities” which are identities that are defined by gender, class, race, etc. In short, the believe that their destiny is already set. She explained how some people enjoy the simplicity of this type of life while others hate it because they want the freedom to define their own destiny. She inferred that these “other” people were a lot like the entrepreneurs sitting in the room. As entrepreneurs we like to go against the grain and define our own path in life. And I think it’s safe to say, for the most part, she’s right about that!

First, you need to ask yourself two questions. In the morning you ask yourself “what’s pulling me out of bed”? At night you ask yourself “How do I feel about today”? These two questions will help you find your passion, skills, and what the world around you needs.

The picture below is the intersection of those three concepts. In order to be truly happy, Nina says, you need to find something that intersects with all three areas (shown in green). Your passion is a common thread throughout your life while your skills are the characteristics that are unique to you. Finally, in order to make a difference you need to identify the need of the world you inhabit on a daily basis.

Nina found her perfect intersection through the Baltimore Orchard Project. The project involved solving some of Baltimore’s big issues through planting and maintaining orchards of fruit trees. She used the trees to fill the vacant lots, grow nutritious food, and treat storm water. Not only that, she used the care of the trees to help neighbors build relationships with each other.

She first started with research. She did this through the internet and through people! Nina encouraged the audience to not be afraid to pick up the phone and call potential investors and mentors. You may think they won’t be receptive but you will be surprised who lends a hand.

She then saved up just enough money to launch her dream! Once it was launched she continued to fundraise in order to keep the project afloat. She also wanted to make sure that in the money making process, entrepreneurs do not compromise the core of who they are in order to survive. It is important to get money but it is dangerous to lose yourself in the process.

The UMBC Garden then came up to talk about their work with Nina and BOP. They were happy to announce that the UMBC Garden will soon be growing trees along with their other produce. They also encouraged the UMBC public to come to Garden Week March 23-27 to help support them. More information can be found on their Facebook page.

Applications for The Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition are due on March 5, 2015 by 5:00PM. Tell your friends and classmates about this amazing opportunity!!

CBIC is an opportunity for UMBC graduate and undergraduate students who aspire to fulfill entrepreneurial pursuits. Participants will experience the process of planning a startup business by submitting a competitive and realistic 3-5 page business plan and qualifiers will present their idea in a final competition.

NOTE: The CBIC requires that technology (mobile, web, etc.), be a focus of your startup idea.

Any UMBC student (full or part time, graduate or undergraduate) with a dream of launching his or her own business and who plans on actively pursuing that dream.

The CBIC is a next level competition designed to give aspiring entrepreneurs a real opportunity to experience every aspect of planning to launch a startup. The competition will pair you with business mentors from the community and give you practice presenting your idea to a panel of experts. It will also provide “real world” experience and helpful feedback. In addition to mentorship from real world experts, the program is also designed to connect students to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Winners also get seed funding for their businesses, and support from our sponsors including:

The founders of SeeFurture will be talking to the UMBC community on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 5:30pm in ITE 459. SeeFuture is a career development platform that puts job seekers on an inside track towards securing full employment career opportunity.

Come by and enjoy and interactive presentation to learn how SeeFuture can help you get employed, a discussion about the founder's entrepreneurial journey, and get advice from a Talent Recruiting Expert. Pizza will be provided! RSVP required

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When: Wednesday   March 4, 2015 @ 5:30pm

Where: ITE 459

Who: Founder and Co-founder Maneet Sarai and Torin Ellis

• Guaranteed Feedback From Top Employers
• Access to Professional Networks
• Personalized Growth
• SF helps you get noticed by Potential Employers

• Interactive presentation to learn how SeeFuture can help you get Employed.
• Discussion about their Entrepreneurial Journey
• Advice from a Talent Recruiting Expert.

FREE PIZZA and Drinks provided

Please RSVP on the ISSA group page or HERE

Applications for The Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition are due on March 5, 2015 by 5:00PM. Tell your friends and classmates about this amazing opportunity!!

CBIC is an opportunity for UMBC graduate and undergraduate students who aspire to fulfill entrepreneurial pursuits. Participants will experience the process of planning a startup business by submitting a competitive and realistic 3-5 page business plan and qualifiers will present their idea in a final competition.

NOTE: The CBIC requires that technology (mobile, web, etc.), be a focus of your startup idea.

Any UMBC student (full or part time, graduate or undergraduate) with a dream of launching his or her own business and who plans on actively pursuing that dream.

The CBIC is a next level competition designed to give aspiring entrepreneurs a real opportunity to experience every aspect of planning to launch a startup. The competition will pair you with business mentors from the community and give you practice presenting your idea to a panel of experts. It will also provide “real world” experience and helpful feedback. In addition to mentorship from real world experts, the program is also designed to connect students to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Winners also get seed funding for their businesses, and support from our sponsors including:

Don't forget that the first Speaker Series  of Spring 2015 is one week away!

Nina Beth Cardin, founder and director of The Baltimore Orchard Project (BOP), will be speaking to members of the UMBC community about BOP and how UMBC's Garden Project is getting involved.

“Every age faces challenges….some not easily resolved, but, unfortunately, often easily ignored as we wait (and hope) for others to address them. Right now in Baltimore there are people who are hungry and there are food deserts where people don't have access to healthy food. So what can be done and who should do it? When challenges arise, that's when entrepreneurs step in…and that's how social entrepreneur Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin decided to start The Baltimore Orchard Project(BOP).

The BOP is a diverse group of people who have joined together to grow, glean and give away fresh, healthy, local fruit to those in need in the neighborhoods of Baltimore. They bring together their knowledge, passion, and resources to turn waste into abundance. They glean fruit from trees in their yards, streets and civic places, fruit that would otherwise go to waste, and they distribute it to those in need. They partner with individuals and organizations in their community to plant trees, orchards and food forests (fruit trees, berry bushes and grapevines) on land that can provide a benefit to our neighbors, our towns, our children and ourselves, today and tomorrow.“

This Speaker Series will be help on March 4 at 12:00pm in Commons 331.

If you've been lucky enough to take a class with Gib Mason, ENTR Instructor and serial entrepreneur, you know the wealth of knowledge he has to share. 

 

Students with an idea for a business are welcome to stop in to meet with Gib to discuss their ideas and get guidance - no appointment necessary! 

If you have questions about starting your business, growing a business, or just interested in entrepreneurship, Gib holds office hours as our Entrepreneur In Residence every Monday 3-4pm in entreSprace- no appointment necessary! 

 

Don't forget that the first Entrepreneurial Workshop of Spring 2015 is one week away!

Perfecting the Pitch presented by Stephen Auvil will be a great experience where you can polish your pitch! Whether you are starting a business, talking to investors, or just trying to nail an interview, the ability to pitch yourself and your idea is important. 

Your ability to effectively communicate an idea is critical to your success. This is especially true when delivering a “Pitch” – a short conversation in which you attempt to convince someone else that you have a good idea.  If you are an entrepreneur, your pitch, sometimes in a matter of seconds, will determine whether or not a stranger will take an interest in you and your business or just walk away and forget everything you said.  When that stranger is a potential investor, partner, or customer, it is easy to understand how critical an effective pitch can be.  If you are trying to get a job or trying to convince your boss that you have a great idea, you will also need to be able to give a good pitch.  This talk will describe different types of pitches.  A detailed description of an “Elevator pitch” will be discussed including what should be said and how it should be delivered.  Several Dos and Don’ts will also be discussed.  For the purpose of comparison, an outline of an investor pitch will also be presented.

Stephen Auvil is the senior vice president for technology transfer and commercialization at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). In this role, he is responsible for overseeing TEDCO’s funding programs. In this capacity, he reviews proposals from a variety of start-up and early-stage companies. Prior to his four years at TEDCO, Mr. Auvil spent 17 years in university technology transfer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Before his time as a technology transfer professional, Mr. Auvil worked for two small medical device companies where he had a variety of responsibilities ranging from rebuilding medical devices under GMP to setting-up and networking computerized accounting systems. He began his career as a laboratory technician studying ion channels in membranes. Mr. Auvil graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Engineering Science from Loyola College in Maryland, and went on to earn a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Master’s of Science in Biotechnology from the Johns Hopkins University.