News from EntrePaducah

Your briefing on entrepreneurship in the news.

In This Issue

This area's largest salute to Entrepreneurs!

Healthcare & Energy Spotlighted during Global Entrepreneurship Week

EntrePaducah helps new businesses THINK BIG!

Dear EntreNews Subscriber

We are dedicating the next two issues of EntreNews to providing you with information about Global Entrepreneurship Week, hosted by EntrePaducah!

The Kauffman Foundation, along with over 100 hundred countries around the world have declared the week of November 15-19 to be Global Entrepreneurship Week. During this week, EntrePaducah will offer free programs and events for all entrepreneurs.

In this issue, we have included a full outline of all the events planned for November 15-18. You don't want to miss this exciting week!

We're taking this opportunity to go "beyond the norm" with topics of interest for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Join us for any..or all of them. We'll see you there!

EntrePaducah Team
Terry Reeves
Richard Davis
Brandi Harless

Join Our Mailing List!

For more information and to register for ALL events, go to www.entrepaducah.com

GEW logo

Monday

November 15

Ethical Entrepeurship

Being a successful business owner does not have to counteract being a good person. As a professor of Philosophy, Stephen Hicks will provide insight into the sometimes unspoken code of ethics in the business world, how to align your values with your business practices, and why it is important to have a "code of ethics" for your business.

Middle School Online Business Competition

EntrePaducah is working with Heath Middle School to pilot an online business plan competition to promote entrepreneurial thinking at an early age. Barton Christmas, now a 6th-grader at Heath Middle School won a savings bond from EntrePaducah last fall at the MSU Entrepreneurial Fair. We are dedicated to making sure that Barton doesn't get left without resources. EntrePaducah's presence during Global Entrepreneurship Week show our support for aspiring young entrepreneurs. See EntreProfile for Barton's story.

High School Idea Workshop

Ideas are the essence of entrepreneurship. Ideas are the beginning of any entrepreneurial venture. In partnership with local creative minds, EntrePaducah will offer a pilot "Idea Workshop" to students at Heath High School. Working with teacher Judy Florny-Hantel whom recently completed a TQI in Entrepreneurship, EntrePaducah will lead students through a series of activities demonstrating that ideas mostly come from collaboration with other people.

From Engineer to Entrepreneur

Students from the UK School of Engineering, Paducah Campus, will join EntrePaducah in a session to discuss turning their college degree into an entrepreneurial venture. Along with several local engineer entrepreneurs, we will provide important insight into what it takes to take the big step t0 a business venture.

Tuesday

November 16

Speed Networking @ Breakfast

This is not your typical "awkward conversation with a stranger" event. Join us for breakfast before work and meet someone you didn't know you should know.

You've heard of speed dating---the efficient way to finding dates in your area? Why not apply this same idea to your career? We all know the key to getting ahead in business is through networking-to discover new partnerships and possibilities. Join EntrePaducah before work to make new connections.

This event is for you if you're:

- looking to expand your network's size.

- seeking solutions to a problem and want help brainstorming.

- connecting lots of people who don't know each other, but want to get them connected.

- looking to raise your profile

- looking for a good way to meet mentors and gain or share quick advice

Industry Spotlight: Healthcare Business Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

During Global Entreprneurship Week, EntrePaducah is offering a wide variety of programs and events. A new program series "Industry Spotlight" will be offered twice during the week. The first focuses on the Healthcare Industry, a rapidly changing and growing industry that provides opportunities for many entrepreneurs. Together with Peel and Holland Financial Group, a company that has spent a lot of time understanding the shifting trends in healthcare, EntrePaducah will offer insight into the necessities, population changes, government regulatory shifts and resources that drive the healthcare field. DO NOT MISS THIS!

WOMEN ONLY! Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs

This is a special event to celebrate both the aspiring women entrepreneurs and the many successful entrepreneurs in Paducah. Hosted at D'Fratelli's, enjoy one free drink and appetizers and spend a little time after work sharing and networking with other women in business. Stories from experienced women entrepreneurs and a chance to ask pressing questions to pros and peers are just some of the highlights of the event.

Starting a Business in the Renaissnace Area

Together with the Paducah Renaissance Alliance, EntrePaducah will host this event for anyone looking to relocate their business or start a new business in either Downtown or Lowertown areas of Paducah. Attend this event to learn from area business owners about exciting new opportunities, challenges and future hopes for the area. PRA will present information on the market analysis and incentives provided by the City of Paducah to help you get started.

Wednesday

November 17

Industry Spotlight: Energy Innovation for Entrepreneurs

The second "Industry Spotlight" for the week will focus on the Energy Industry. EntrePaducah is bringing Nancy Grant to town to share her insights on real trends occuring in the industry today. www.nancygrant.us

Cool Tools for Small Business

The Entrepaducah Team shares real-life marketing, online resources and tech trends for small business! EntrePaducah Concierge Terry Reeves shares practical marketing tips from 30+ years in world-wide media and marketing. Fellow Concierge Staff Rich Davis and Brandi Harless discuss social media, tech trends, little-known web-based business resources, and "the right stuff" to help small businesses. Don't miss this jam-packed session of valuable information!

"Where's the Money?"

What's real and what's not? In this session, we will cover as many funding sources as possible for all types of businesses. From non-profits to for-profits and high tech to microenterprise, this session will show you where the money is and how to begin going after it.

Thursday

November 17

EntrePaducah...THINK BIG!

Celebrate the success of our community's entrepreneurs. If you've opened a business this year...or want to say thanks to the ones who have...join us at 4th and Kentucky! We'll have a BIG ribbon...we'll say a BIG thank you to all the business who've opened their doors this year...and, who knows, you may come away with inspiration for the next BIG idea for business! Help us make it the BIGGEST crowd ever in Paducah to celebrate entrepreneurism!

EntreProfile

Barton Christmas trePaducasletter

Barton Christmas, age 12

What is your business?

Barton's Balloon Creations -- It is actually a combination of a business, ministry and community service.

What product/service do you offer?

I create Balloon Animals and give them away. I have a jar available and people give what they want to give.

Where do you mostly offer your product/service?

During the summer I participated in the Downtown After Dinner and the Live On Broadway Series on Saturday Night.

More recently I have been participating at the Harvest Moon Festival in Grand Rivers and Wurth Farms in Lone Oak.

What made you decide to start a business?

When I was in fifth grade at Concord Elementary School, we had an Entrepreneur Fair. I didn't know what to do. My mom suggested I do balloon animals like I did on a mission trip I went on with my family when I was 7 years old. I was surprised at the interest and my sales at the school event. It was fun to see the look on kid's faces when they realized what the balloon was and what the shape was going to be. Now I enjoy doing it for other kids too.

How do you think you were prepared to start a business?

My dad says when I was four years old I always enjoyed balloon animals (actually I think he is the one who enjoyed it.) When I was 6 years old my dad took me to Dusty's Clown Class in Atlanta, Georgia where we lived. When I was 7 years old, my family went on a mission trip to New York City. My dad and I made 1,000 balloon animals and gave them away. The next year we went on a mission trip to the Appalachian Mountains. We did balloon animals and games for the children for their Back-To-School Bash. That year we did 750 balloons. This gave me a lot of practice. When the time came to enter the Concord Elementary School Entrepreneur Fair this was something I had lots of practice doing.

My dad helps me twist the balloons at the events and keep up with my inventory. My mom helped me get my table, tent set up, and organization. Since then I am becoming closer to being equipped to running a business.

Who supported you in the beginning?

My parents, friends, and all of the balloon animal fans support me.

What are your future plans for yourself and/or your business?

I would like to continue to do local Paducah events, as well as festivals and birthday parties.

Other EntrePaducah Events

EntrePaducah Hosts Chamber Power in Partnership Breakfast

November's Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Power in Partnership breakfast is devoted to Entrepreneurism and will be conducted by EntrePaducah.

Join us for an update on EntrePaducah's activities and accomplishments. Guest speaker for the morning will be David Robert, founder and President of Midas Hospitality...owners of Paducah's Candlewood Inn & Suites and the soon-to-open Fairfield Inn.

November 4, 7:30AM, Carson Center, downtown Paducah. Contact the Chamber at 270-443-1746 for reservations.

Entrepreneur 101 Set for Nov. 22nd

Learn the basics of starting a business in Paducah/McCracken County. EntrePaducah and Murray State University's Small Business Development Center sponsor the event which runs from 6:00-8:30 PM at the Commerce Center, 4th and Kentucky, in downtown Paducah. Chris Wooldridge of the SBDC covers business plan writing, understanding cash flow and cash management, marketing basics and assessment of your entrepreneurial skills. The sessions are free, but reservations are required by November 17th by calling 270-443-1746, or by email at info1@entrepaducah.com.

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