Join us every Wednesday evening for an hour or two of stimulating conversation with local entrepreneurs! If you have ever wondered how businesses or organizations get started, here’s the chance to find out.
Each Wednesday an entrepreneur will tell their story. Some of these entrepreneurs may be well seasoned, some may be just starting out. Hear how they did it…what they did right…what they might do differently…what they might do next!
So meet us in the East Hall Lobby at 7 p.m. by the fireplace. Refreshments are provided.
Fireside Chats - Spring 2012
Wednesday, January 18th
Acting Intrapreneurially! with Erik Weyls, President, Coventya, Inc. Come hear how Hiram alumnus Erik Weyls uses his entrepreneurial skill set every day as president of the North America division of Coventya, a world leader in specialty chemicals for metal plating.
Wednesday, January 25th
Applying 21st Century Technology to a Centuries-Old Process! With Tom Lix, CEO, Cleveland Whiskey. The whiskey making process has been the same for centuries, but with global expansion, demand exceeds supply and traditional production methods simply can’t keep pace. The results are product shortages and rising prices. Come hear how serial entrepreneur Tom Lix recognized an opportunity and developed a solution by applying 21st Century technology to compete in a $20 Billion world-wide market
Wednesday, February 1st
A Family E-Affair! with Bill Moss ’79, President, Towpath Polymers and David Moss, Founder, MossMedia. Can entrepreneurship be taught? Is it a genetic trait? Come hear from father and son entrepreneurs, each with his own business, and you decide.
Wednesday, February 8th
Hatching Great Ideas! With Jim Cossler, Chief Evangelist, Youngstown Business Incubator, John Dearborn, President, JumpStart Inc., and Dar Caldwell, Founder and managing Partner, Shaker LaunchHouse. Come hear about Northeast Ohio’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem from three of the area’s leaders as they discuss the services they provide and the types of entrepreneurs they focus on.
Wednesday, February 15th
The Internship Queen! with Lauren Berger, CEO of Intern Queen Inc. and National College Speaker. As a college student Lauren participated in 15 internships during her 4 years of college, hence the title "Intern Queen.” Business Week Magazine named Lauren Berger number 5 on their annual list of “Young Entrepreneurs: 25 Under 25.” America Online says, “If you are going to college and wondering what you are going to do this summer – you need to look her up.” Come hear Lauren’s story of how she parlayed her experiences into her first job post-college and then into a business.
Wednesday, February 22nd
The Power of Love! with Alka Subramanian, Founder, Power of Love Foundation. Power of Love Foundation is a secular US charity focused on developing innovative, cost-effective solutions to address the AIDS epidemic. The POL works directly with women and children impacted by the AIDS epidemic to create long-term solutions that go beyond handouts. Come hear how Alka and her partners started POL and the microfinance program for women impacted by AIDS!
Wednesday, February 29th
Success= Integrity + Connecting the Dots! with Dr. Fujita, Founder, President and CEO, Quality Electrodynamics LLC (QED). In five short years, QED went from a start-up medical device company to a $12 million plus international competitor and the highest-ranked medical device company in Forbes Magazine’s “America’s Most Promising Companies” list. Come hear Fujita talk about his entrepreneurial journey and philosophy.
Wednesday, March 14th
Focused on Success! with Lisa Orlandi, Founder and President of Focus Design Technologies. Formed as a Manufacturer’s Technical Sales Representative firm, Focus Design Technologies specializes in the sale and marketing of precision, proprietary and high-performance electronic components for a limited number of manufacturers. Come hear Lisa’s entrepreneurial story. (BTW - she happens to be Professor Modarelli’s sister.)
Wednesday, March 21st
Building a Bio-Enterprise in Northeast Ohio! with Jon Snyder, President and CEO, Neuros Medical. Neuros Medical is focused on developing proprietary neuro-stimulation therapies to eliminate chronic pain in a variety of applications. Jon has over 20 years of domestic and international management experience in biomedical and healthcare sales, marketing, operations, and venture capital investment. Come hear him talk about the challenges and rewards of building a bio-tech enterprise in NE Ohio.
Fireside Chats - Fall 2011
Sweet Entrepreneurship! with Joel Fink, owner, Fantasy Candy (9/7/11)
Envisioning Success! with Tony Manna, President, Signet Enterprises (9/14/11)
Manufacturing in a Global Economy! with Michael Canty, CEO, President and Chairman of Alloy Bellows (9/21/11)
Food, Glorious Food! with Anne Hayman '88, chef and owner, On the Spot Gourmet (9/28/11)
A Business Born of Necessity! with Kimberlee Ullner, Founder, President, 1-2-3 Gluten Free (10/5/11)
Take Note! with Art Geigel '05, President and Founder, Ground Booth Software, Inc. (10/12/11)
Fireside Chats - Spring 2011
Fireside Chats - Fall 2010