Top photo, left to right: HPU president Nido Qubein moderates a panel of entrepreneurs from North Carolina, including Pat McCrory, North Carolina Governor; Richard Childress, racing CEO and businessman; Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers; Rachel Weeks, founder and CEO of School House; and Bryan Young, CEO of BEC, an awarding-winning digital agency. Bottom left photo: Racing CEO and businessman Richard Childress greets HPU students. Bottom right photo: Gov. Pat McCrory chats with sophomore Alex Nelson.
North Carolina governor, CEOs tell students to ‘take risks and persevere’ in their business plans “Only in America could someone with $20 and a racecar one day be sitting on a stage next to the governor.” Those words were spoken by racing CEO and businessman Richard Childress during High Point University’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable event on March 20, where Childress and North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory served as panelists in a discussion about innovation in North Carolina with 600 students and leaders in attendance. They were joined by Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers; Rachel Weeks, founder and CEO of School House; and Bryan Young, CEO of BEC, an awardwinning digital agency. Dr. Nido Qubein, High Point University Magazine
HPU president, moderated the panel and discussed the themes of perseverance, hitting bumps in the road and taking risks when launching a business. “It’s going to be the start-up businesses that really determine our future,” said McCrory at the event. “To be successful, surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, and surround yourself with talent that doesn’t match your own.” Panelists agreed that every business owner will hit bumps in the road. Funding will be scarce; plans will fall through; and there will be many sleepless nights. But perseverance, preparation and passion are the key elements to succeeding in the long run.
“Nothing was as easy as I thought, but you tackle the obstacles as they come and don’t ever quit,” said Weeks, a young entrepreneur whose company has made a commitment to manufacture apparel in the United States. “Have passion for what you do. That is the key to perseverance.” “Our students need to hear from innovators who have already developed their own businesses and experienced highs and lows along the way,” said Lou Anne Flanders-Stec, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. “Students are actively developing plans and launching companies right now, and these panelists offered them invaluable advice.” ■ highpoint.edu
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