Christine Johnson, Founder, Diversitech

Bringing color to the technology industry was the topic for the February 8th gathering in DC.  Diversitech was a presenting partner for DreamIt Ventures Talks “Minority Tech Startups: Moving from today’s realities to tomorrow’s wins in Washington, DC.  Some highlights:

• We are geared toward being consumers. Not producers. Let’s change that.
• One person start-ups are often passed over for accelerators because it is too much wok for one person. Know the game.
• Learn tech speak…don’t be uniligual. Learn to speak VC. Learn how accelerators work. No self-inflicted wounds.

For more information on Diversitech, visit www.wearedtech.org.Tweet

Duane Cheers received thank you gifts from EDAC Intern and Senior Business Student, Alyssa Bell.

Redbox and Blockbuster watch out, Movie Solution is here to offer an alternative and the CEO is under 30.  Meet Duane Cheers or DuaneMyko when he does his one person performance.  Duane is a 2009 graduate of Morgan State University.  On February 9th, he spoke to students about his business and the lessons he learned as an entrepreneur.  Here are some highlights:

• My message to students today will focus on applying for government contracts.
• I found a need for students looking for movie solutions.
• You have to work harder than the next person in business.

To learn more about Duane Cheers, visit www.duanemyko.com or www.moviesolutionent.com

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Mark Williams, SBA, conducts workshop on exporting

Freshmen from Morgan State University‘s School of Business are taking the first steps to understand the importance of doing business globally.   During Global Entrepreneurship Week, students were provided with the what, when, where, how and additional resources related to exporting products and services overseas.  The workshop was conducted by Mark Williams, business specialist from the United States Small Business Administration.  Students participating in this freshmen workshop received some valuable information to help develop new skills early in their academic career.  A special thank you to Stephecca Sawyer, Retention Program Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty – Department of Business Administration for allowing us to provide the exporting workshop.

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Omar in Dubai conducting a workshop for executives from Dubai and India

Working with the Department of Defense Mentor Protege Program, I traveled on business to Dubai to support one of Dyncorp, International‘s protegé.  During my visit to Dubai,  I conducted a workshop to help company executives develop a collaboration tool for all of its business units operating in three different countries.   The team is now working on a white paper to present to the owner of the company.  On my side in the US, I will make sure the document includes the points and strategies that I conveyed in Dubai. The team will present their findings to the owner sometime in December.

I also was presented with the opportunity to meet with other business owners operating in Dubai and India.  The meetings with some planning will afford Morgan State University students and staff to participate in:

• strategic planning with businesses operating in America, Dubai and India;
• international business;
• research on a solar system to be used during natural disasters.

As the relationship with DynCorp and its protege develop, additional opportunities will be available for Morgan State University.Tweet

The School visited:  Govans Elementary
The objective of EGTS is to generate excitement about entrepreneurship as a career option and mindset while providing an informative, interactive, and fun event that engages youth in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Entrepreneur

Name:  Fey Odukoya
Company: Project Beautify You, Inc.
www.pbyinc.org
Other: Student (senior) at Morgan State University

The 5th graders received some great advice from Fey:

• Networking helps you gain access to resources.
• Get to know individuals around you as you develop your life skills.
• Build your skill set now and each year of schooling.

The students also participated in the InVentures activity.  InVentures is a science fair like activity where students across Maryland create an invention and display at the annual youth entrepreneurship conference.   The winning time came up with an idea to develop where students can determine their mood with a lollipop.  The students are now working on creating similar inventions to compete in the InVentures Challenge at Morgan State University during the 7th Annual Youth Entrepreneurship Conference.Tweet

The School visited:  Arlington Middle School
The objective of EGTS is to generate excitement about entrepreneurship as a career option and mindset while providing an informative, interactive, and fun event that engages youth in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Entrepreneur

Name:  Michael Spikes, Jr.
Company: University of Taste
Other: Student (2nd year) at Morgan State University

The 6th and 7th graders received some great advice from Mike:

• Identify your passion and do some research on your industry
• If you are not planning to become an entrepreneur, develop an entrepreneurial mindset
• Use what you are learning today to grow your passion for life

The students also participated in the InVentures activity.  InVentures is a science fair like activity where students across Maryland create an invention and display at the annual youth entrepreneurship conference.   The winning time came up with an idea to develop a mobile device for video games.  Instead of users carrying around multiple game cartridges, the users will download video games from a mobile site to play.  The students are now working on creating similar inventions to compete in the InVentures Challenge at Morgan State University during the 7th Annual Youth Entrepreneurship Conference.Tweet

Access to capital was the theme of the White House Business Council’s roundtable at Morgan State University.  White House Business Council roundtables are an opportunity for Council members to hear directly from business leaders around the country about their ideas for how we can continue to grow the economy, put Americans back to work, and win the future.  Just as importantly, it’s a chance to provide information to local business leaders about Administration programs and resources available to support their growth and success. The roundtable consisted of Marie Johns, Deputy Administrator, United States Small Business Administrator, representatives from the SBA regional and local offices, Morgan State University administrators, student entrepreneurs, Morgan alumni who are entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs doing business in Maryland.  Questions about access to capital included the length of applying for an SBA loan, funds available for business owners who have contracts, but need access to working capital. To learn more about the SBA programs for Maryland, click Maryland Resource Guide.  The Entrepreneurial Development & Assistance Center (EDAC) is working on several initiatives to support access to capital.  The Cash Flow Summit is one event that will generate opportunities for small business owners to obtain access to capital.

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Michael Spikes, Jr. and Troy Byam started www.uoftaste.com, on the campus of Morgan State University. Last year, Michael participated in the CollegiateBiz Challenge and won first prize.  He is now receiving business guidance from www.edacmorgan.com as part of the award.  Now a sophomore at Morgan State University, Mike and his team are building a brand to reflect college life on Morgan State University’s campus as well as other campuses across the nation.Tweet

How to do Business with NASA

Putting it all together

Money matters you are your business

document your goals

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