Startup Production Celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week

What is Global Entrepreneurship Week?

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators.

Nicole’s Agenda for the Week of November 16 – 20, 2015

Monday: I had spent the previous ten weeks volunteering at MACED’s FastTrac class by Kaufmann Foundation. Kauffman FastTrac© is a global provider of education courses that equip aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with the business skills and insights, tools, resources, and networks to start and grow successful businesses.
MACED hosted two classes this year, New Ventures for new startups and the Growth Ventures, for seasoned business that have been in business over five years. I was asked to present “Effective Internet Marketing” to each class, so I made minor changes each presentation so I could focus on the needs of the varied students. Each class was very receptive, resulted in interactive discussions with great questions.
On Monday, November 16, 2015: the participants of the two FastTrac classes attended a graduation ceremony, Entrepreneur Showcase, where the students presented their wares as exhibitors, received a certificate and had refreshments. The Mayor of Berea, the Berea Tourism Director, MACED’s staff, and the Business Development Director of Berea spoke about the importance of supporting local entrepreneurship to improve economic development.
Tuesday, November 17: The Second day of GEW 2015, I spent the day supporting small business in Berea KY. I met with two local businesses in Berea KY about their internet marketing goals. Then I attended Berea Chamber EDC meeting where they discussed attracting new business into Berea KY based on the needs of the residents. Then in the theme of supporting local entrepreneurs I ate and shopped local.
Wednesday, November 18: The third day of GEW, I spent in Lexington KY supporting small business programs. I met with Commerce Lexington’s Steering Committee where the BOAB facilitators report on and organize the groups of SBO’s. Then I worked at her new office in Lexington for a few hours. In the afternoon, I was invited to participate as one of 3 judges at Commerce Lex & SBDC Launchpad Lex Competition. We heard 12 pitches from new startups looking to win the prize of professional video production and playing of the video at local gas station pumps. The winners were chosen by the judges’ scoring of each pitch according to how well the company would benefit from a video campaign. There were supposed to be three winners but there was a tie, so four winners were chosen: Caldo, Curbbed, Tinker Tech “Hillbarrow”, and SWORD.
Then the long day ended at Cafe Meeples in Richmond KY for the Business Babe Society’s Unwind & Mastermind special edition where Celeste Byrd presented “Dressing & Makeup Tips for Networking”, and I presented “Networking Tips for Success”.

Unwind & Mastermind with the Business Babes Society

On Thursday, November 19: I have been honored to serve as a facilitator for the past year, so I started my day at our always inspiring and supportive BOAB (Business Owners Advisory Board) group via Commerce Lexington, where entrepreneurs discuss issues and questions in confidential, safe and encouraging small groups of small business owners. No one is ever put into a group with a competitior, nor is this the place to network or inspire referrals. Then I met with a new client in Downtown Lexington about their blogging and social media strategies. After, I attended the Women Leading Kentucky roundtable with an inspiring speaker, George Ella Lyon, Poet Laureate, State of Kentucky at Women Leading Kentucky, where she read from her book, “Voices from the March on Washington”. Truly inspiring day! [To get a copy of her book: Amazon]
On Friday, November 20: I was ready to work from home after a busy week of activity, but my services offer internet marketing support (via websites, graphic design, social media management, blogging, and marketing consulting) to small businesses. I was able to spend the day working from my home office with clients from Berea, Lexington and Richmond Kentucky, as well as the state of Georgia.
It was another inspiring week of activity to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week. I look forward to next year.