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Client Spotlight: Lindsey Newkirk
Lindsey Newkirk is the owner of Elysium Events, a sustainable event consulting and management firm. Elysium Events works with organizations to find solutions that minimize their events' environmental footprint, predominantly with a focus on working towards zero waste. Now in her third year of business, Lindsey has had the opportunity to work on the "greening" of such events as The Eugene 08 Olympic Track and Field Trials, The Bite of Oregon, The Seattle Green Fest and The Portland Race for the Cure. With the help of Elysium Events, these events are able to maintain landfill diversion rates of 65-98%.
Lindsey is also the Creator and Director of the Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show Contest; an annual fashion show production aimed to educate it's audiences about waste reduction, recycling issues and to inspire creative re-use through showcasing wearable art and couture fashion based on the creative use of "trash".
This Saturday, November 14th marks the fourth annual event, held at the Crystal Ballroom. This year's production will be hosted by Mayor Sam Adams and The Mercury's Marjorie Skinner and will feature music from Junquestra, a DIY Junk Accessory Table with SCRAP, "green carpet" interviews with Sustainable Today Television and a whole lot of "trashion". For event details and ticket information visit the Junk to Funk website at www.junktofunk.org.
Lindsey is entering her final year of assistance from the Business Outreach Program. Through working with student teams and BOP counselors Lindsey has received assistance that has given her a better understanding of the financial picture of her business. Lindsey has also received QuickBooks training, a marketing plan and an basic HR components for beginning to incorporate staffing to help her grow her business.
We are happy to see Lindsey and Elysium Events continued growth and success.
For more information about Elysium Events: www.elysiumeventsllc.com
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Program Updates
Fall Student Capstone Course Underway
Lara Damon, Director, and Student Team meet with Kari Merkl
of Merkled Designs to get their project underway.
The Fall Capstone course is underway. This September, 22 PSU undergraduate students began a two-term course with the Business Outreach Program. During this Capstone session six BOP client businesses are receiving assistance from a student team. Many of the projects are focused on helping business owners write and/or update their business plans with a heavy emphasis on marketing strategy and financial analysis.
Networking Events Underway
September marked our first Small Business Forum and Roundtable event. Over the course of an evening several small business owners came together to share their perspective on Marketing in the Current Economy. In sharing what has worked and what has not worked, business owners were able learn from each other and have an opportunity to network. Stay tuned for the details of our next event in early 2010.
Port of Portland Partnership
This Fall marks the beginning of a partnership between the Business Outreach Program and the Port of Portland in a collaboration to join forces to provide greater assistance to small
businesses. The Port of Portland and their Mentor Protege Program participants are working with the BOP's Capstone Student Teams to provide in-depth business plan assistance to growing construction based businesses.
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Business Development Workshop Series Next Session Starts Jan 10, 2010
The BOP Business Development Workshop series is a tool to develop current or potential business ideas. In the past year 75 individuals have successfully completed the workshop series.
The five week series is designed for potential clients with a focus on providing an understanding of general business concepts and assessment of the feasibility of the business idea. The workshop format allows for an exchange of ideas and individual participation.
The series sessions are:
Orientation: An introduction to the services available from the BOP and an initial assessment.
Business Planning: Discussion of the need for business planning and its application to the participant's business.
Marketing: An overview market research and advertising.
Financing and Accounting: A presentation on obtaining funds and record keeping.
Review and Next Steps: A review of concepts and individual consultations.
Do you know of an entrepreneur who could use assistance in further developing their business? Our next series starts on January 10, 2010. Contact us at bop@sba.pdx.edu to register. |
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Announcements
The BOP is recruiting new
clients to assist. Please feel free to
refer your colleagues, friends and family to us.
We are happy to highlight your next event or
workshop. If you have an announcement
for inclusion in the next BOP newsletter contact bop@sba.pdx.edu OR
503-725-9820.
The Staff of the BOP wishes
you a safe and happy holiday season! |
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Donate to Our Mission
The Business Outreach Program's mission is to help small businesses, including emerging, minority and women-owned businesses, achieve their potential while providing students with opportunities for community-based learning.
The Business Outreach Program's is a self-funded program that relies on support through various governmental agencies, public and private grants, and private organizations and individuals.
If you, your organization or a friend would like to show your support of the Business Outreach Program please donate here.
Please note: to see that your gift reaches the BOP, please designate "School of Business Administration" and indicate "Business Outreach Program." | |
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Thank you for your participation and support of the Business Outreach Program.
Sincerely, |
Lara Damon, Director
Business Outreach Program
School of Business Administration
Portland State University
503-725-9820 office
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