As published in the April 1, 2014 Toledo Business Journal
Raymond W. Braun
Bowling Green State University
BGSU College of Business spurs entrepreneurship
Shark Tank’s Daymond John to keynote SEBO Series on April 11
Toledo Business Journal recently spoke to Raymond W. Braun, Dean, College of Business of Bowling Green State University. He shared the following thoughts.
Toledo Business Journal: Can you explain the vision and mission of the Dallas-Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership in BGSU’s College of Business?
Raymond Braun: The vision of the Dallas-Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is to champion entrepreneurial thinking and doing. Our mission is to establish a preeminent center for entrepreneurial leadership and thinking that integrates academic, experiential, and lifelong learning and actively contributes to economic vitality.
TBJ: Can you discuss the Falcon Hatchery program?
RB: The Falcon Hatchery program accepts applications from all BGSU students hoping to launch their own business. Our program works with these students to develop a plan and the finalists go on to present at “The Hatch” event in April.
This event is similar to the television show Shark Tank. BGSU student entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of alumni investors who will decide if they want help fund the business.
A live audience will hear the pitches and watch as investors decide whether to make their business idea a reality during this interactive event. Last year investors committed over $100,000 for three businesses.
The piece that sets “The Hatch” apart from similar programs at other universities throughout the country is that our event actually funds businesses. Other universities offer prizes, but we offer real money as well as ongoing support providing our student entrepreneurs the best chance for success.
TBJ: Can you share an example or two of recipients from last year’s Hatchery program?
RB: Last year, our investors funded Bueno Vida, a taco truck; and Cribs on Campus, a service that sells and delivers refrigerators, futons, and microwaves.
TBJ: What is the timing and schedule of the 2014 Falcon Hatchery program?
RB: Seventy-six students submitted 100 business ideas to the Dallas-Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and 12 finalists were chosen. These students are working with alumni mentors over the upcoming weeks to develop their business presentations. They will pitch their ventures to investors on April 9 in front of a live audience of over 1,200 participants.
TBJ: Can you share some of the background and history of the Sebo Series in Entrepreneurship?
RB: The Sebo Series in Entrepreneurship has attracted world-class entrepreneurs from across the country to share their innovative expertise with thousands of attendees over the past decade. This event has become the premier entrepreneurial event in the Great Lakes region and has been generously sponsored since its inception by BGSU alumnus J. Robert Sebo ‘58, ‘13 (Hon.).
TBJ: Each year, the Sebo Series has had a dynamic keynote speaker with a national reputation. Can you share information about the timing of the 2014 program and this year’s keynote speaker?
RB: This year, our theme is “Entrepreneurial Journeys” and is scheduled for April 11. Daymond John, an investor on the hit television show Shark Tank, branding expert, and founder of FUBU, a clothing line that has changed the fashion world will be presenting his journey as our keynote speaker.
TBJ: Can you also share information on some of the other speakers who will be involved in this year’s Sebo Series event?
RB: In addition to Daymond John, we have three additional renowned speakers.
Paul Hooker ‘75, owner and former CEO of Sferra Fine Linens will be joining us. In 1977, Paul purchased and expanded the company into a global leader in the textile industry. Paul grew annual sales from $250,000 to over $30 million under his leadership.
Lori Steele ‘86 is also presenting her journey. She is the founder of Everyone Counts and is a world expert in election modernization, pioneering the adoption of software as a service to make elections more accessible, affordable, secure, and transparent. Lori has led successful election administration and voting modernization projects in over 165 countries.
Tom Embrescia ’68 is our final speaker. After his graduation from BGSU, Tom embarked on a 35-year career in the broadcasting industry and owned and managed over 50 radio and television properties around the country.
TBJ: Are there any other issues that you would like to address?
RB: The College of Business at BGSU has a proud tradition of preparing students to become leaders and innovators in business. We have alumni leading Fortune 500 companies and others successfully launching their own small businesses.
Our nationally acclaimed faculty are challenging students through hands-on learning with unique programs such as “The Hatch”. Our new Business Career Accelerator program assists students in selecting the right career path, researching job market trends, preparing for the job search, securing co-ops and internships, and ultimately finding that first job.
Our business college is consistently rising in national rankings. We are ranked in the top 10% of undergraduate business programs by Bloomberg Businessweek, ranked as one of the best business schools for nine consecutive years by The Princeton Review, our supply chain management program is ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report for three years, and we were ranked number 10 in the country for best for vets in 2013.