Samford Brock School of Business students and faculty attended the recent Birmingham Venture Club (BVC) meeting to network with members and participate in the Club’s annual University Showcase, which highlights entrepreneurship programs at local colleges and universities.   Laura Beth Allen, Kayla Bower, and Cameron Gonzalez had the chance to talk about the Brock School’s entrepreneurship programs with Venture Club members and students from other universities during the Showcase.  

Participants also had the chance to hear Noel Gartman a local entrepreneur give an “elevator pitch” about his company as well as about what entrepreneurs can learn from great tennis players. “Focus on positioning” and “Relentlessly pound your competitions’ weaknesses” were two of the lessons Gartman discussed.

 
Cameron Gonzalez commented that “Attending the Birmingham Venture Club was a great opportunity to continue to learn how to network with members of the business community and put those skills into practice. Hearing the stories of both new start-ups and well-established local companies was inspiring. It challenged me to continue to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams, realizing that I can make a difference both locally and globally."

The Showcase also provided an opportunity for Howard Finch, dean of the Brock School of Business to deliver an “elevator pitch” about the Brock School’s entrepreneurship programs.  He highlighted key program goals like teaching students to think entrepreneurially, important student experiences like competing in the annual Region’s New Venture Challenge Business Plan Competition, and expansion of the Student Business Incubator when the new Brock School building opens in fall 2015.

The Brock School of Business maintains an annual membership at the Birmingham Venture Club to provide students with opportunities to network with members and learn entrepreneurship lessons from speakers. Students also can earn professional development credit toward graduation by attending the meetings.