The Ei Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 1
The Ei Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 2
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Mission The institute will provide a safe haven and center of knowledge for all things entrepreneurial in our community.
Vision Be a leader in the critically important, fast growing areas of entrepreneurship and small business development for our first generation students, urban, minority, female participants, faculty and staff.
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What is The Entrepreneurial Institute Incubator? The Ei Incubator is a short-term program designed to promote the growth and success of entrepreneurship at CSUDH. The Ei-Incubator offers mentoring, coaching, and support services such as business planning tools, legal advice, marketing strategies, business feasibility analysis and networking opportunities. It also connects entrepreneurs to venture capitalists who may be interested in investing in their businesses.
Do I need to be a Business or Entrepreneurial- related Major?
What will I get from the Attending?
The incubator is free!
• Possible job opportunities and advice from working professionals. • Connect with our network • Utilize the synergy and all the people willing to help and guide you in the right direction. • Honest and constructive sound board for your business or business ideas. • Involve yourself with real life businesses
Do I need to make an appointment or RSVP?
Who can attend the Incubator? We welcome everyone from the CSUDH campus including students, staff and faculty and local community who wish to pursue their entrepreneurial passion!
We welcome all majors! For Spring 2015, the incubator included students studying Finance, Art and Computer Science in addition to Business and Entrepreneur Majors.
How much does the Incubator cost?
Nope, just stop by during incubator hours
Are you looking for mentors? Yes! We are seeking individuals with entrepreneurial skills who would like to assist the incubator clients with their projects!
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Silent 2 Sounds
Ei Incubator Graduate & Toro Tank Winner Jaesen Alfassa My name is Jaesen Alfassa, not to Sounds is the first fashionable, surprisingly I’m graduating as a socially minded which I will get entrepreneurial major, and my to… Earplugs… (Silent) and company is Silent 2 Sounds. Earphones… (Sounds i.e. music) Now if you are proactive and like all in one device. to be in control, if you rather solve Giving back has always been problems then apart of who we are its complain about in our name, Silent 2 “Silent to them, enjoy a Sounds. Sounds is the first balance a between What I plan to do fashionable, socially listening to your is team up with the minded ...Earplug favorite music and Star Key Hearing and Earphones all in quiet time, have a Foundation and one device. “ place in your heart become the Tom for socially minded shoes of Ear buds. causes, and enjoy Are you familiar products with functionality that with the Tom’s Shoes Advertising are aesthetically pleasing, and campaign 1 for 1 where for every economical.... shoe sold Tom Shoes donates a I have a product for you; Silent pair of shoes?
We plan to do the same thing where for every unit sold a certain percentage goes towards helping the foundation provide more hearing aids to the underprivileged. Silent 2 Sounds will positively impact the hearing community by helping hearing impaired kids with the ability to learn in a conventional educational setting, communicate with love ones, and enjoy the gift we often take for granted... Sound i.e. music.
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e r e H s t r a t S m a e r D n a ic r e The Am ent Scholars &The
Departm The CSUDH CBAPP
itute Proudly Present:
Entrepreneurial Inst
Nurture Center, explained the difficulties of starting her own An Entrepreneur Symposium ing @ 12:30PM Start business, and said that it is never sion Ses oon Aftern Starting @ 9 AM to 12:30 PM Morning Session CBAPP by ded an easy process. She gave advice Provi Complimentary Pizza Lunch Toro Tank and present pete com will s neur on financing their own business, CSUDH Entrepre e MessCBAPagP e CASH prizes. WelcDr.om their “American Dream” for building an infrastructure, creating from Joseph Wen, Dean a brand and finding motivation to s" er tt WHEN: ationestaMa Innov "Why 14 20 4, , CEO, Motivo Engineering er Penm mb een ce Prav De , Mr. ay ker make their visions come to fruition. Thursd by Keynote Spea Panel Presentation: M 0P 3:0 to M 0A CEO of Convaid Christopher 9:0 m" ea icaprenenur:Dr d My AmSociaerl Entre WHERE: "HowFrancI hiseAcEntrehiepreneve ur: Braun told students that being an rales Stephanie Mo r Student Union ke Lo Patricia Williams Mother's Nurture Center er, Found entrepreneur is more than making McDonald’s Franchisee Ballroom C Young Entrepreneur: useful products. Rice Serial Entrepreneur: RSVP: David Rice & Kristin President Founder & President Vice “Great products do not make great M Chris Braun .CO AIL California Medical, Inc. CSUDH.DS@GM CEO, Convaid success, ” said Braun. er 3, 2014 ceismb By DeEvent ow Free. Parking $5. Q & A and Meet & Greet to Foll Braun said that a successful entrepreneur needs a vision to go along with a product. “With that vision, you need other people around you that share the same passion for the same vision,” said Braun. Patricia Williams, franchise owner of 14 McDonald’s restaurants, told students that the hardest part of owning a business is the constant work. “When it’s your own business, it’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Williams. “You can’t just start failures. something and have someone finish Each speaker had a specific point BY JOHNNY ROMO your work later.” they wanted to Online Staff Writer Vice President of get across to California Medical, the audience. CSUDH holds first Entrepreneurial Inc. Kristen Rice said For Praveen Symposium titled, “The American that her husband, Penmesta, the Dream Starts Here.” David Rice, started CEO and founder Dozens of business students piled the company. She of Motivo into the student union to attend the said he struggled first-ever Entrepreneurial Symposium Engineering, it to get funding from was making a at California State University CEO/Founder of Motivo Engineering major sources, but difference in the Dominguez Hills. Praveen Penmesta answered questions did so by being world. The Dec. 4 event, named “The from students during the symposium. passionate about his “Our challenge American Dream Starts Here,” cause. as entrepreneurs is to have an was sponsored by the College of Rice said that the reason her idea that leaves an impact,” said Business and Public Policy and the company is a success is because she Penmesta. Entrepreneurial Institute. Students and her husband truly care about Penmesta also warned students who attended the event listened helping people. that change is a crucial part in the to guest speakers of successful Students were allowed to ask entrepreneurial world. businesses and franchises such as questions to each speaker after all of “As entrepreneurs, we have to Motivo Engineering, the Mother them had finished talking. The event Nurture Center, Convaid, McDonald’s constantly innovate,” said Penmesta. “Toro Tank” soon followed in the “Otherwise, we will never survive.” and California Medical, Inc. same room. Following Penmesta, Stephanie The speakers gave students advice Morales, founder of the Mother and shared personal successes and
The American Dream Starts Here
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business incubator program, followed by competing in the institute’s inaugural “Toro Tank” in fall 2014, for which he took 2nd place. Since Ceja’s success at Toro Tank he has continued to work with CSUDH business professors Michael Grimshaw and Gary Polk at the South Bay Entrepreneurial Center, which partners with the institute to help its student members grow their businesses. “We [KNWRZN] are still less than a year old but sales have been steadily increasing,” said Ceja. “People really get behind our brand. After purchasing a hat they become instant brand decided he wanted to revive ambassadors. Most of our sales and grow his KNWRZN brand come from word-of-mouth and at the end of his junior year. He repeat customers.” had always been interested in Ceja has been accepted by the streetwear and enjoys the casual Los Angeles-based Southwestern look of T-shirts, jeans and a School of Law’s two-year baseball cap, and just “grew tired accelerated JD-option (juris of wearing other people’s brands.” doctor) degree program, also “I wanted to offer an ethical known as SCALE. alternative and put a positive “While I’m in law school, one spin on streetwear. Currently, main objective will be to keep my regular hats are purchased KNWRZN relevant and growing,” and embroidered in downtown he said. “I plan on Los Angeles. Our continuing with premium hats are snapbacks, beanies, “We want cut-and-sewn locally and premium hats, people to know the and in the United and adding T-shirts, reason behind their States. We want jackets, tank tops actions instead of people to know the and other articles merely acting for ‘no reason behind their of clothing. The reason.’” actions instead of ultimate goal is to merely acting for ‘no market a completely reason.’” made-in-the-USA or ethically Ceja also found time to be an made—sweatshop free—brand of active member of the Pre-Law clothing that supports people and Society, and the Latino Student organizations that are passionate Business Association on campus. about their own ‘reasons.’” He is also a member of the new Entrepreneurial Institute @ CSUDH, where he presented his KNWRZN brand, first at its
Ei Incubator Graduate & Toro Tank Winner Erik Ceja BY PAUL BROWNING, Dateline Dominguez
KNWRZN? What could that possibly mean? For Erik Ceja, a business administration student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) who graduates May 15 with his bachelor’s degree, it is a growing streetwear apparel business and brand, an investment in his future, and a tribute to a lost friend. “My best friend Omar ‘Reazn’ Valdez passed away in 2007 at the age of 24. He was a local graffiti artist who greatly influenced me when I was growing up,” said Ceja, whose degree concentration is in marketing and advertising. “After he passed away, I wanted to keep his spirit alive and created the first incarnation of KNWRZN.” An entrepreneur at heart, Ceja
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Ei Incubator Open House Wednesday, February 18th To kick off the semester the Ei held an Open House to help get the word out about the resources, support and networking opportunities that the Ei Incubator provides on a weekly basis to the CSUDH community including students, faculty and staff. The Incubator explored topics such as The Entrepreneurial Society Club, Business Incubation, Acceleration and Growth, Business and Social Entrepreneurship Projects, Entrepreneurial Speakers and Symposiums, and the Toro Tank.
Start Small, Finish Big, but Get Started!
March 6th March 20th April 3rd
BY CLAUDIA BERMUDEZ CSUDH Bulletin Online Staff Writer
The conference workshops, titled what the business is,” Celly said. “Because “Start Small, Finish Big, But Get Started!” it’s purpose is to create a customer, any is a three-part series. business enterprise has two- and only Sharon Petersen from LACC Goldman these two basic functions: marketing and Sachs 10K Small Businesses showed innovation.” a video on how to market, pitch and Charlie Lowe, business advisor from recruit for your business. She explained the El Camino Business Development that in order to join Golden Sachs Center, focused on why businesses buy one must be owner or co-owner of a into marketing. business, business in operation for at He believes marketing increases least two years, and make between awareness of products and services. $150,000 and $4 million in revenue. The With marketing a business gains more Golden Sachs program is made up of contacts, relationships, sales and profit. 11 sessions over He believes one should a three-to fournot have an attitude month period. and rather listen CSUDH humbly to their clients. marketing The “Start Small, professor Kirti Finish Big, But Get Celly talked about Started!” workshops using innovation are brought to the to create a satisfied public by the Mervyn The speakers and attendees of the first of customer. M. Dymally African three series Start Small, Finish Big, but She discussed American Political and Get Started workshop! how even just Economic Institute making Uncle Ben’s rice from slow (MDAAPEI) at CSUDH in collaboration cooked to instant was a big success with the Entrepreneurial Institute at because people live such fast lives but CSUDH, California SBDC Los Angeles they don’t want to eat McDonalds. Regional Network and the South Bay “It is the customer who determines Entrepreneurial Center.
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Social
Entrepreneurship Day Wednesday, March 4th The first annual Social Entrepreneurship Day included a presentation by the team from ENACTUS (Entrepreneurial, Action, Us) and a screening of Bonsai People: The Vision of Muhammed Yunus, winner of Nobel Peace Prize for his revolutionary micro-lending global programs and pioneer of Social Business.
Ei Incubator Graduation Celebration Wednesday, April 29th To close out a very successful semester during the Incubator, the Ei held a graduation celebration for those that participated in the incubator throughout the year. Included in the celebration were Incubator diplomas and pitch reviews.
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Career in Entrepreneuship Workshop November 18th Career in
hip Entrepreneurs KSHOP WOR
H360 Career Center W m-2pm November18 1p
Co-sponsored: Career
rial Institute in
Center & The Entrepreneu
Public Policy College of Business & – The haw, Executive Director Presenters: Mike Grims Acting Director – te and Nicole Rodriguez, Entrepreneurial Institu Career Center
t , and one of the bigges job creators of society “Entrepreneurs are the quite unemployment. But n economies can be challenges facing moder ” be. jobs there will sses we have, the more simply the more busine Influencer James Caan, LinkedIn
The Career Center
(310) 243-3625
BY IGNACIO PADILLA Online Staff Writer
ter www.csudh.edu/CareerCen
The Entrepreneurship as a Career persistence. workshop was held Nov. 18th with “We are here to engage students almost 20 students in attendance. and give the opportunity for a career in The event was sponsored by the entrepreneurship which foster a creative College of Business and Public Policies element and engagement,” said Nicole and the Career Center at California State Rodriguez, acting director of the Career University Dominguez Hills. Center. The workshop focused on the The workshop was held attributes needed to become a selfin conjunction with Global made entrepreneur as well as the Entrepreneurship Week, which is opportunities in each major offered at celebrated in more than 140 countries Dominguez Hills with more than 4,000 to be your own events. boss. Attributes “This will be the included an first workshop for entrepreneurial students to learn that personality, being entrepreneurship is a creative problem a very valid way to solver and make a living,” said becoming a leader Mike Grimshaw, Mike Grimshaw talked about being a in your field. Staff executive director of creative problem solver at this week’s also talked about the Entrepreneurship entrepreneur workshop. the importance of Institute who spoke knowing that if your weren’t born with at the Entrepreneurship as a Career these specific attributes, these skills can workshop. be developed through hard work and
The Millennials & Generation Z Tuesday, February 24th Presented by the Ei and CSUDH career center The Millenials & Generation Z workshop focused on the impact these generations have in the workplace & their confident, self-expressive ideas and ways of living.
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The Entrepreneurial Institute @ CSUDH Proudly Present:
Audition | Pitch | Win
Pitch Auditions for Toro Tank:
11/18 12-1 PM Welch Hall, D360 11/18 2-3 PM Welch Hall, D360 11/20 7PM Welch Hall, A139
Panel Judges: Venture Capitalist Angel Investor Banker Financial Expert ASI President City Councilman Serial Entrepreneur
Toro Tank
Will take place at the American Dream Starts Here
Symposium event
on Thursday, December 4, 2014. RSVP: CSUDH.DS@gmail.com
Top 3 Entrepreneurs Share $1000 Cash Prize. Winner also receives business resources valued at $5000. The Pitch Auditions & Training Workshop will prepare CSUDH Entrepreneurs* for their presentation to a panel of experts during the American Dream Starts Here Symposium event, Toro Tank, on Thursday, December 4, 2014. If interested in competing please contact If interested in attending Toro Tank Mike Grimshaw, Executive Director Ei, please RSVP: CSUDS.DS@gmail.com CSUDH.Ei@gmail.com 310-930-3094 *Open to the whole CSUDH Community (staff/Faculty/students)
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Fall 2014 Toro Tank Competition BY SCOTT RYCHLIK CSUDH Bulletin Online Staff Writer Based on the popular TV show Shark Tank, CSUDH’s event gave entrepreneur students a chance to pitch their business ideas. Toro Tank was held today, Dec. 4, in the Loker Student Union as part of the bigger “The American Dream Starts Here,” an entrepreneurial symposium presented by the CSUDH College of Business Administration and Public Policy. The event began with presentations by successful entrepreneurs, CEOs and company presidents. The second half of the day concluded with California State University Dominguez Hills’ first-ever Toro Tank. “The event went awesome, better then we had expected,” said Michael Grimshaw, advisory board member of the College of Business Administration and Public Policy. “The room was full of excitement, hope and enthusiasm; I’m surprised the walls are still standing.” Preparations for the Toro Tank began last month, when groups had to go through auditions to pitch their product/business. Six groups pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, which included venture capitalist
Fred Haney; angel investor/CEO Joe the company seemed to operate Platnick; CA United Bank (Banker) on the fly. Kim Defenderfer; financial expert Through the Toro Tank event, the Michael Manahan; ASI President group hoped to restructure their Chris Fernandez; Torrance City business and marketing plans and Councilman Mike Griffiths; and serial make day-to-day operations run entrepreneur Constance Jackson. more efficiently. Placing third, and winning $300, South Bay Cabinetry makes highwas a group that quality cabinets for wanted to open a low prices. They focus “We are karaoke lounge. on kitchen cabinets; honored, surprised Second however, can make many and excited all at the same time” place, and also other carpentry objects. winning $300, During the was a streetwear presentation the three company, KNW RZN, that would business majors claimed they could produce quality hats. beat their competitors who sell preThe first-place winner was South made common-designed cabinets by Bay Cabinets, Inc. who took home selling customized quality cabinets $400 and business resources valued to create “your dream kitchen.” at $3,500, which was provided by The They tested the quality of their South Bay Entrepreneurial Center. work by having a member of the South Bay Cabinets was made up group stand on top of one of their of CSUDH business majors Eduardo cabinet drawers. More, Rico Lopez and Robert Gomez. The winners were pleased with the The company was started by another results of the competition. individual in 1995 and was bought “We are honored, surprised and by Mora’s father in 2002. When the excited all at the same time,” said three friends began working for the Robert Gomez, South Bay Cabinets. company, they noticed the company “We actually joined late but worked was making solid profits, even during long hours and late nights, which the most recent recession. However, seems to have paid off.”
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Spring 2015 Toro Tank Competition BY JOCELYNE SALCIDO CSUDH Bulletin Online Staff Writer
Biannual competition gives aspiring entrepreneurs resources to succeed. A company specializing in the safety of electricians was the grand prize winner at this week’s Toro Tank competition. This was the second such competition at California State University Dominguez Hills. It is based on the popular TV reality show, Shark Tank. Here, students, staff, faculty and the community can audition, pitch their inventions and ideas and have the chance to win prizes and business support. About 25 people attended the presentations. The event was two hours long. The six judges included Chair of the Marketing Department Professor Thomas James Norman, Associate Professor in Marketing Kirti Sawhney Celly, both from CSUDH, and others from the community who also have professional backgrounds in entrepreneurship and marketing. Seven business ideas were
presented and there were three winners. Each presenter had eight minutes First place won $500, second place $300 and third $200. All winners will receive free consults with judges to help grow their business ideas. The winning project was Smart CSM, founded by Craig Caryl and Tyson Schilz. The cloudbased data system stores critical information from electrical outlets and panels. It’s a new way to control the monitor’s status from the anywhere there is internet access. The program also helps protects electricians working with electrical fuse boxes, outlets or panels from suffering injuries or possibly dying. Second place went to entrepreneurship and marketing senior Jaesen Alfassa, who has come up with Silent 2 Sounds. The device is both earphones and earplugs. Third place went to Physics Professor Claudio Egalon who has developed Science and Sensors Technology. This device measures
the contaminants in fluids using optical fibers. Eglon’s device measures the most samples than any other device in the market. The audience voted along with the panel of judges, though the outcome was different. In first place was Alfassa, followed by Caryl and Schilz tying with Alina Ugas with The Final Step, facilities that would help people with alcohol problems. The Toro Tank was led by Executive Director the Entrepenuerial Inistitute College of Business Administration and Public Policy Mike Grimshaw and took place at 1 p.m. April 15 in the Loker Student Union.
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Getting the Word Out Goals • Create awareness about the opportunities and events at the Entrepreneurial Institute & Entrepreneurial Society/club • Inform target markets about the benefits of taking advantage of our resources and network. • Benefits of participating in Campus Incubator • Possible job opportunities and advice from working professionals.
Connect with the Ei • Website: csudhei.org • Social Media • Flyers (Email & Print) • Event Tables • Signs
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Target Market • Students of all colleges on campus • CAM- Prestigious local high school engineering campus • Faculty and Staff • Surrounding community of current and aspiring entrepreneurs
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2015/16 Events
Connecting Women To Power Conference & Toro Tank At CSU Dominguez Hills on June 18tt, as part of the Board of Equalization’s Connecting Women to Power Conference, the Ei will provide Toro Tank Bootcamps and a competition to interested attendees. Participants will have the chance to audition, pitch their business idea, and win access to funding and business resources that could help turn their dream into a million dollar reality. For more information about the event please visit csudhei.org. n & entrepreneurship Empowering innovatio youth our in our community &
Inaugural “Innovation Matters” Entrepreneur Expo & SBEC “Pitch Tank” Competition
to 6:00 PM 19, 2015 at 12:00 PM Thursday, November Torrance Toyota Meeting Hall,
preneur
Gen Z = STEM + Entre
INNOVATION PANEL
ve companies. • Showcasing 5 innovati innovative people • Panel interview with innovative • Learn how to be an innovative business • Learn how to run your American Dream • Learn how to achieve ul entrepreneurs • Meet & greet successf • 200 people to attend
GET INVOLVED & MAKE AN IMPACT!
RSHIP AVAILABLE CT: CORPORATE SPONSO ONS PLEASE CONTA FOR FUTHER QUESTI e Director: Gary Polk SBEC Executiv gpolk@thesbec.org ator: Coordin s Program Pat Sandt, com pat@greeninkmarketing.
SBEC PITCH TANK COMPETITION
Competition • SBEC Pitch Tank and s will then shift gears • Morning Panelist Day! our SBEC Pitch Tank become judges for Pitch competition • The Business Plan • South Bay Schools & Middle Schools • All Torrance High School • Hawthorne High in SBEC scholarships • Prizes over $26,000 • 200 people to attend
MAJOR SPONSOR a Keynote Speaker ” to kick-off the “Why Innovation Matters Entrepreneur Expo! MAJOR SPONSOR
NAME & LOGO GOES
HERE
At Toyota Meeting Hall on November 19th, the South Bay Entrepreneurial Center will host a variety of speakers including an Innovation Keynote Speaker and panel of South Bay Entrepreneurs. As part of the event the SBEC will also provide a Pitch Tank Competition for South Bay students with prizes and resources valued over $26,000!
Fall 2015 • Incubator • 6 Workshops • Green Business • Plan Competition • Guest Speakers (4) • Innovation Matters/SBEC • LAEDC Campus Event (Oct) • Enactus Leadership Conference (Riverside) • Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov)
Spring 2016 • Incubator • 4 Workshops • Student Research Day • Pitch Boot Camps & Auditions • Toro Tank Competition • Enactus Regional Competitions (Anaheim) • Babson Entrepreneurship Research Conference (June/Norway)
www.csudhei.org