Letter to the editor: Entrepreneurship Lecture Series
Passion, by definition, is strong and barely controllable emotion. Every one of us has passion inside of us, or the potential for that passion to be sparked. Think for a minute how powerful that is. If harnessed correctly, passion can lead to success. Think how much more powerful that is. During the spring 2016 semester, the Entrepreneur Leadership Series will return once again to provide students with lectures that will inspire them to follow their passions, whatever they may be. Nine new entrepreneurs will share their stories and encourage students to not only discover their passions but to take risks on them.
This year the class features a diverse line up of speakers, from business and nonbusiness backgrounds alike. For the extremists, Marshal Miller, a professional base jumper for the GoPro bomb squad. He found his passion in extreme sports and used that to build a life he loves living. For the creative minds, Tyler Tolson founder of Denik, a company that advocates art for change. A portion of Denik’s revenues (from notebooks featuring artist’s work on their covers) goes directly to funding education for children in need. For the outdoor enthusiasts, Sarah Lehman, CEO of a company that produces the composites in road and mountain bikes, and Brian Beckstead, cofounder of Altra Running. And for the music lovers, the man who has more than three quarters of a billion views on YouTube, Jon Schmidt.
This is a one-credit class, perfect for seniors looking to add that final credit or students wanting an easy class to take a break from your schoolwork. Wednesdays at 6 p.m. students will meet in a lecture hall and listen to the featured speakers tell their take on success and what passions drove them. Aggie Ice Cream will be served at every lecture and this is a great time to socialize with your fellow Aggies from all different colleges. Students will also have the opportunity to select one of the entrepreneurs to have dinner with, to get personal one-on-one time to build networking.
This class is applicable to all majors. Sometimes when people hear the word “entrepreneurship” they automatically assume that this class is business-related only, but that is not the case. By taking this class, any person in any major can expand on their dreams and create a future for him or herself by capitalizing on their own skills and passions.
If you have ever dreamed about changing the world or being your own boss, entrepreneurship is necessary to success. From future doctors hoping to start their own practice, to engineers with the latest and greatest in technology, learning these skills can help define your future. The featured speakers are about defining their own success and turning passion into profit through hard work and taking risks. They will relate their process to aspiring students — helping them gain the knowledge necessary to succeed not only in the business world, but in every aspect of life. You could build the courage to apply for that internship across the globe that you’ve been dreaming of, or joining a club, or auditioning for a role in a play. Whatever it is you’re dreaming of, these speakers could push you to take a risk and pursue it.
Weston Kay, a student at USU and business entrepreneur, started and owns Rose Anvil — a company that hand-makes jewelry, wallets and belts with high quality materials. Weston originally signed up for the lecture series as an easy one-credit class — plus free ice cream! After attending the first speaker, he instantly felt motivated to pursue his business idea and took advantage of the $100 start-up. His company took off. He is now making lasting product that people love.
“In the beginning of the semester I wasn’t loving school, but by the end of the semester I was running a business and putting worth into every single one of my classes and every aspect of my life,” Kay said.
The benefits of this class have been proven year after year and it will continue to inspire students at USU. The insight students will hear over the course of the semester could spark an idea, or push you pursue what you love, truly making it the most valuable one credit class you will ever take.
—Anda Pearson