Brescia University, in conjunction with the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Kentucky Innovation Network announce open enrollment for the Fall 2015 cohort of the CO.STARTERS™ program. These organizations have seen great success from the nationally renowned, hands-on workshop style platform that seeks to help the community grow local business and develop rising students and professional leaders succeed.
“We could not be more pleased with the success that we have seen from the first two cohorts of the program,” stated Sarah Jackson, Director of Career Services at Brescia University and Program Administrator. “Students and community members alike who have participated in the program have taken the skills and knowledge they gained as a part of CO.STARTERS™ and are using it to bring their ideas to life. We were so privileged to have the honor of graduating the first cohort in the Commonwealth this past fall and are excited to offer this 7-week course to an entirely new cohort of individuals.”
CO.STARTERS™ is designed to help participants think through a business idea, the assumptions behind them, determine next steps and prepare for future success. The program equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. This semester, the program promises to be even more interactive than past sessions, with guest speakers, a networking event, and opportunities to tour local businesses and learn from those industry leaders.
Students and professionals alike are invited to take part in the Fall 2015 cohort of the CO.STARTERS™ program. Applications are now being accepted, and space is limited. Classes will meet from 5:30-7:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Brescia University.
“The response of the STARTERS who have participated and the experience of each individual cohort has allowed us to continue to grow this program and evolve it in a way that benefits every participant. And this cohort will be no different. We are happy to welcome Helen Bennett back to campus again as our program facilitator and we are looking forward to her leadership this fall,” said Jackson.
Several Brescia University students have seen direct results from their involvement in CO.STARTERS™. Yesica Cisneros, whose family has an expanding berry farm, decided to become part of the program to expand on a business that her and her family had already started.
“I felt like there were some areas where we could still use some help with on the administration side, especially since the plan is to expand,” stated Cisneros who received a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Human Resource Management and Spanish in May.
Not only was Cisneros able to take away knowledge and inspiration from CO.STARTERS™, but her involvement led to her family receiving a financial grant from the Kentucky State University that will allow them to grow their production.
Alex Degg, another recent graduate from Lincoln, England has also experienced success from the program. Degg learned about an entrepreneurial competition in Bowling Green called “Bucks for Bright Ideas” from connections he made participating in CO.STARTER™.
“It was a great way to get my name out there, as well as Brescia University, which made me proud as the only competitor from my school amongst other schools such as the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. There were also business professionals present and competing,” stated Degg who went on to win the competition and had the opportunity to partner with OCTC Professor Steve Bailes who offered his time to help with manufacturing a prototype design of Degg’s idea using CADD software.
But students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the program. Community members are invited to participate as well and are using the skills they take from CO.STARTERS™ to turn their vision into reality.
One STARTER who was already one year into his business, credited CO.STARTERS with rejuvenating him. He said, “I was reenergized by the cohort. I remembered why I wanted to start my business and regained focus on my business goals.”
For more information, contact Sarah Jackson, Director of Career Services at Brescia University at 270.686.4268 or [email protected].
