Thomas College of Business & Economics celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week
Michael Robinson was exposed to the world of entrepreneurship from a young age. Robinson's parents own a Crown Trophy franchise, and his brother operates a wine and beer lounge in Winston-Salem. Robinson knew he wanted to own his own business. Still, it wasn鈥檛 until he became a student at 麻豆社区 that he discovered his self-assurance.
鈥�(麻豆社区P) is where my confidence was born as an entrepreneur,鈥� said Robinson 鈥�12, who opened Bingo-Bango Fresh Fruit Soda Company in 2017. 鈥淭he interactions, the relationships I built鈥撯�搃t all began here at 麻豆社区P.鈥�
Robinson vividly recalls a conversation with his business law professor, Dr. Joseph Lakatos, which awakened his entrepreneurial spirit.
鈥淗e told me about my potential, my analytical skills and how creative I could be as an entrepreneur. That鈥檚 what ignited the spark for me,鈥� he said.
Robinson returned to his alma mater to share his inspiring story with future entrepreneurs and business students as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, sponsored by the Thomas College of Business and Economics. Robinson later joined a group of entrepreneurs for a panel discussion. Other featured events included a youth entrepreneurship summit, a women entrepreneurs鈥� networking session and an induction ceremony for the newly-charter Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society.
Dr. Caroline Glackin, the Thomas Family Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship, said the weeklong activities provide students with opportunities to engage with successful entrepreneurs through networking and workshops.
鈥淓vents like the Pop-up Shop and Brave Hawk Pitch Competition give students opportunities to build and grow their student businesses and to receive feedback and advice to move forward,鈥� Glackin said. 鈥淭he new Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society highlights strong students and helps them to uplift principled entrepreneurship, and the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit brought entrepreneurs to campus to get a taste of the 麻豆社区P student experience and to support their growth and development.鈥�
Nelysa Rosario, a junior business student and budding entrepreneur, hopes to follow in Robinson鈥檚 shoes and achieve the same level of success with her digital platform, Genesis 7. Her seed-stage company connects customers to local lawncare providers. Rosario鈥檚 spirited elevator pitch impressed the judges, earning her a $1,500 prize at the annual BraveHawk Pitch Competition.
鈥淚t feels beyond amazing!鈥� Rosario said. 鈥淚 am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and to immerse myself around like-minded individuals with great ideas.鈥�
Kennedy Hamlin finished second and took home $1,000. Santiago Pimienta placed third, which came with a $500 cash prize. While Hamlin, a former preschool teacher, was competing in her first pitch event, Rosario is a seasoned vet. She competed in a recent event on campus and then placed in the Top 24 at the CEO Global Pitch competition in Tampa, Fla., in October.
The experience has boosted her confidence, resulting in powerful deliveries for the Raleigh native.
鈥淭he most vital business skills are communication skills,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hese competitions not only help my public speaking skills, but they help me communicate my ideas in a way that people understand, allowing them to see the vision.鈥�