Hiram College Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship

2012autumnBiannual Review: February-August

innovation&

problem-solvinggoal -sett ing

team building

self-awarenesscalculated risks

communication

researching

leadership

vision

ethicst o l e r ance

negotiationpassionstrategicthinking

drive

CREATIVITY

definition: to act differently, unconventionally, or create a new perspectiveacting out of the box

hinking out of the box often refers to novel or creative thinking. We hear people say it all the time. You

have probably said it. I know I have. As I looked at the collection of highlights in this issue of our E-

Newsletter, a variation of that term came to mind—acting out of the box! That is what the Center for

Integrated Entrepreneurship at Hiram College is all about. The Center encourages and supports opportunities for

our students to think and take action outside the box and outside the classroom. Acting outside the box! It is our

value proposition.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Kay F. MolkentinDirector, Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship

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he Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship held its third annual ideabuild! competition on March 15,

2012. ideabuild!, as the name implies, challenges students to build beyond the concept stage of ide-

ablitz! to test the feasibility of their ideas. Teams of up to five students had five minutes to present,

followed by three minutes of questions from the judges. Ideas were judged on concept, market need, technological

and competitive attributes, pricing, uniqueness, and presentation. Eighteen ideas were presented by ten teams

and eight individuals, with over 50 students in total participating. All participants received feedback about their

concepts and presentation, and three levels of prizes, $2,000, $1,000 and $500, were awarded.

The first place winner was Team Intech (Stefan Babb ‘15, Jameal Welcome ‘14, Alejandro Ruiz ‘14, Rufin Sime ‘15,

and Andres Ruiz ‘15). The second place winner was Team Novus Te (Anthony Marchi ‘15 and Gurneet Raina ‘14),

and the third place winner was InstaGlove (Rodney Jacobs ‘12). Opposite page: Professor David Kukurza, Jameal

Welcome ‘14, and Rufin Sime ‘15.

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at Hiram’s spring idea competition exploring an idea

in EEC’s ideaLabs regional competitionfurthering the concept

iram hosted the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium’s (EEC) ideaLabs 2012 Competition on March 28, 2012. Approximately 80-90 people (including participants) were in attendance. Participants included teams from Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, John Carroll University, Hiram College, Kent State University, and non-EEC mem-ber University of Mount Union. The winners were Case Western’s Nick Barron (first place); Baldwin-

Wallace’s James Basar and Amanda Mass (second place); and Kent State’s Breana Jacobs and Chad Radke (third place).

Judges for the event included Dorothy Baunach, President Emeritus of NorTech; Trevor Clatterbuck, CEO of Fresh Fork Market; John Dearborn, President of JumpStart, Inc.; J. Martin Erbaugh, Chairman and Board of Advisors Member of KSU-CEBI and trustee of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation; Michael Moloney, Director of EY Knowl-edge, Ernst & Young; and John Myers, Executive-in-Residence at the University of Akron Research Foundation.

The EEC is a consortium of nine public and private colleges and universities committed to providing practical, expe-riential and theoretical entrepreneurship education to Northeast Ohio college students of all disciplines. Every year a member institution hosts the competition. “In my work, I see many presentations, often from entrepreneurs with more than 20 years of industry experience,” said judge John Dearborn. “The student participants and their coaches should be proud. They clearly put in a great deal of effort and their presentations were as good, or better than any I have seen.” Opposite page: Curtis Webster ‘15, Elidia Hernandez ‘15, and Kyle Meggas ‘15 representing Hiram College.

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efore heading off to a summer of research and recharging, twelve Hiram faculty and seven faculty from

nearby institutions spent three packed days learning and discussing the how and why of integrating

entrepreneurship and the liberal arts. Helping with the discussion were Michael Morris, the N. Malone

Mitchell Chair in Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University; Elizabeth Swanson Goldberg,

Associate Professor of English at Babson College; and John Dearborn, President of Jumpstart, Inc.

While several attendees felt unsure as to how useful or relevant the workshop was going to be, after the work-

shop, they were glad for the experience as they realized they were better prepared to talk about entrepreneur-

ship-related opportunities with their students. Many faculty also agreed that they would continue to pursue

ways to integrate the entrepreneurial mindset and activities into their courses. Several of the faculty are already

making connections with the student run ventures in their classes.

To date, over 90% of Hiram’s faculty, representing every discipline, have attended at least one of the five “Entrepre-

neurship and the Liberal Arts” summer workshops. Opposite page: Elizabeth Swanson Goldberg from Babson College.

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at the faculty workshopthinking outside the box

with mackenzie creamerytesting the market

he Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship facilitated a new product taste testing for local entrepreneur

Jean Mackenzie of Mackenzie Creamery. Mackenzie approached us to see if we could help them with

a taste testing to determine which of three new goat cheese flavors they should take to market. With

the help of Hiram alumna Karen Scher ’89, of Turning Technologies in Youngstown, the Center was able to utilize

Turning Technologies’ “clickers” to collect data.

Marketing professor Bill Bart, recruited six marketing and entrepreneurship minor students to help with the

surveying. The tasting took place as part of the College’s Platinum Chef Competition and Food Showcase, and

was a win-win for everyone. Mackenzie Creamery got its survey, students got real-world experience, and Mack-

enzie customers got a new flavor: Sesame Wasabi! Opposite page: Jean Mackenzie, Karen Scher, Robert Brayley

‘15, Kati Bradford ‘15, Rob DeMuch, Megan McNulty ‘15, Jonathon Hall ‘15, Bonnie Brentar ‘13, Professor Bill

Bart, and Caleb Capron ‘13.

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his year entrepreneurship professor David Kukurza redesigned the course Integrative Entrepreneur-

ship (ENTR321) for the 3-week format. Designed to build upon the base knowledge that students

acquire in the first two courses of the entrepreneurship minor sequence, Kukurza enhanced the

learning experience by teaching the entire course off-site at the Shaker LaunchHouse, a business ac-

celerator supporting entrepreneurial start-ups.

Twenty students were divided into teams of four to work with five start-up companies. The students helped with

industry, customer and competitor research, and made recommendations as to how the venture should “go to

market.” The students experienced the challenges and processes a start-up company goes through. The three

weeks were intensive, fast-paced, and ever-changing. Dar Caldwell, co-founder of LaunchHouse, said he couldn’t

be happier with how Hiram students rose to the challenge, and is looking forward to the next 3-week immersion.

Additionally, several students made connections to continue on as interns with several of the start-ups. Opposite

page: Jayveer Sodiwal ‘15, Claudia Allen ‘15, and Stephen Hoffmaster ‘14.

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at the shaker LaunchHousetaking it on the road

with the student launch of 7th symphony saucebottling success

orrest Reed ’14 says his mother always made an awesome tomato sauce, which until lately, was only enjoyed by family and friends. That was until Reed, an accounting and finance major, and classmates Brendan Curtin ’13, Mike Gatta ’14, and Bryan Nemire ’13, used the sauce as the basis of a project in Professor James Senary’s managerial accounting class during the spring 2011 three-week.

All indications from their classwork made them think that maybe they were onto something. That summer, Reed participated with Hiram’s team at the EEC’s Entrepreneurship Immersion Week, and thought that the idea was too good to not pursue. Now, a year later, he is a co-owner with his parents of R&R Specialty Foods, LLC, and producing its inaugural product. 7th Symphony, a versatile healthy sauce, can be used with any variety of meat and fish to create main dishes, sides, or appetizers. Its name comes from the blend of seven spices that create an orchestra of flavors. Curtin, Gatta and Nemire are stilled involved, helping with sales and marketing.

Reed and the group received some early guidance from Hiram alumnus Jim Scher ’89, who produces Uncle Jim’s Hot Pepper Mustard. The company now has a business plan, as well as a professionally-developed marketing plan and website (www.randrspecialtyfoods.com). In just one year, the group has gone from idea, to product, to market. 7th Symphony is now available on the web and at specialty food shops and grocery stores in the Cleveland and Columbus areas, as well as a Piggly Wiggly in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Reed credits the support of the faculty, staff and intimate nature of Hiram College as being invaluable to devel-oping his burgeoning business. “The classes focus not only on now, but the future,” said Reed. “That managerial accounting class did wonders for this idea of going into business for myself.”

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he Regional Economic Growth Corporation (REGC), along with the Center for Integrated Entrepre-

neurship, are partnering to open a REGC satellite office on Hiram’s campus. The REGC is a team of

Northeast Ohio organizations dedicating to promoting small business in Ohio. They provide a variety of

services such as loan assistance, web development, and incubator space, to both growing businesses and

to people who want to start their own business. Jack Crews, President and CEO of the REGC, and Center Director

Kay Molkentin, worked throughout the summer to plan the launch. “We are excited to be partnering with the REGC

to expand the entrepreneurial eco-system in our community and the region,” said Center Director Kay Molkentin.

The REGC Satellite Office will be housed in the Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurship Center, and will provide

workshop and consulting services related to business start-up and growth management. In addition, the REGC

will also provide consulting and mentoring to Hiram students developing business concepts. As clients using

the office begin to launch and grow businesses, Molkentin and Crews foresee the development of student intern-

ship opportunities. The Satellite Office is scheduled to be open by October 1st. Consultations are by appoint-

ment only through the KRBA main office (330-474-3595).

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in expanding Hiram’s resourcespartnering with a local incubator

through entrepreneurshiprevitalizing the community

rban revitalization projects, typically led by governmental organizations, provide a range of op-portunities for new businesses to start-up and thrive. However, in Ravenna, Ohio, these efforts are being spearheaded by Hiram professors - working under the auspices of Hiram’s Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship - and a group of Hiram students. Their mission? To make Ravenna a really cool place!

For the past year, Professor James Thompson, director Kay Molkentin, and others have been working with Ravenna Mayor Joe Bica and other concerned community members to create an attractive environment to draw young entrepreneurs to Ravenna. Ravenna has a lot going for it as it’s the county-seat, there’s an excess of afford-able real estate, and the local government and business community are supportive to enterprise creation. Most importantly is Ravenna’s proximity to Hiram and its students.

The long-term goal is to create 25 Hiram student-run businesses in Ravenna over the next four years. There already are four such businesses well under development and several more are in the pipeline. The first venture slated to launch is Monza Studios, a recording studio specializing in analog recording, mixing and mastering, general recording, and audio equipment repair. Co-owners Bryan Jones ‘13 and Cameron Milani ‘13 are looking to capitalize on the large number of bands in the Kent-Ravenna area.

Other student ventures about to open in Ravenna include an art gallery (Scott Tominey ’12), a music theatre venue Andrew Eckert ’12), and a café (Chris Pratt ’13). Hiram students are definitely using their entrepreneurial passion to make Ravenna a cool place to live, launch, and visit!

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n February, the Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the Career Center, sponsored

an all campus convocation and several other opportunities for students to hear from Lauren Berger, the

Intern Queen. Berger is the founder of Intern Queen, Inc., where she works with employers located all over

the United States and Canada to connect students with the internships of their dreams. Named the “Intern

Queen” because she held 15 internships with such companies as MTV, FOX, and NBC throughout her four years

in college, Berger now speaks around the country educating students on how to make the most of their experi-

ences as well as helping students find and apply for internships through her website.

At the convo, Berger addressed an audience of over 90 students on the why and how of doing internships. Copies

of her book, All Work, No Pay, were raffled off along with packages of thank-you cards and resume paper. After,

students were able to talk with Berger one-on-one at a reception. Berger also spoke at the weekly Fireside Chat

where she talked about the journey she took to turn her passion into her business. Opposite page: Lauren Berger.

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to capture valuable internshipsinspiring students

working over the summerwith Neuros Medical

hile many college students need to work over the summer to help with their college expenses,

two Hiram students were able to combine work and entrepreneurial learning. Through the sup-

port of the Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship, rising seniors Ernestina Zappa and Leland

Cancilla spent their summer interning at bio start-up Neuros Medical in Willoughby, Ohio.

Neuros Medical, Inc., recently received approval from the FDA to conduct a pilot clinical trial to evaluate its

patented high frequency Electrical Nerve Block™ technology for treatment of acute pain, as well as a $3.5 mil-

lion funding investment. Cancilla (biomedical humanities) and Zappa (biology) were involved in working on

the business side as well as the technical side of the company. They conducted literature searches to support the

design of clinical trials, compiled clinical procedures and instructions, collected and processed data, and helped

with sourcing through the procurement and testing of clinical equipment and materials.

This is the third year for Hiram interns at Neurous Medical, and CEO Jon Snyder is looking forward to having

more in the future. Opposite page: Ernestina Zappa ‘13 and Leland Cancilla ‘13.

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his year, the Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship received a gift to establish its first endowed

scholarship. Bonnie Warren established the Ronald W. and Thomas E. Lingerfelter Memorial Schol-

arship in honor of her two brothers who were both entrepreneurs. Many other family members have

since added to the fund thus doubling its endowed value.

The scholarship is to be awarded annually to one or two students in good academic standing with financial

need and who demonstrate participation and an expressed interest in entrepreneurship. Preference is given to

students from Lake County, Ohio. The first recipient of the Ronald W. and Thomas E. Lingerfelter Memorial

Scholarship is Stephanie Morgan ’15, a management major and entrepreneurship minor.

The College and the Center are extremely grateful to Bonnie for her everlasting gift and thank her for her gen-

erosity. Bonnie serves on the Center’s Resource Council and is the owner of Comfort Keepers, a provider of

non-medical home assistance for seniors. Opposite page: Bonnie Warren.

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with the first endowed scholarshipsecuring the future

CENTERfor IntegratedEntrepreneurship

The Integrated Entrepreneurship Program at Hiram is a part of the Burton D.

Morgan Foundation-Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundations Northeast Ohio

Collegiate Entrepreneurship Program, a Kauffman Campuses Initiative.

for more informationabout entrepreneurship at Hiram, contact

Kay F. Molkentin, Director of the Center, molkentinkf@hiram.edu 330.569.5256David Kukurza, Academic Program Director, kukurzadj@hiram.edu 330.569.5480

About the fall 2012 Entpreneurship Biannual ReviewGraphic Design provided by Sarah BianchiPhotography provided by Samuel J. Adams, Kay Molkentin, Bonnie Warren, and Sarah Bianchi