STONE CENTER
FEBRUARY 2025
Innovation at the Core
Here at the Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, we're thrilled to bring you the latest updates, exciting events, and community news This fall, we are introducing new and innovative programs and opportunities designed for both University of West Georgia students, faculty, and the broader West Georgia community Stay tuned for all the ways we’re working to support and inspire you all!
Coffee
and Conversation
Please join us for the launch of Coffee and Conversation. This program offers local entrepreneurs and business leaders a welcoming space to connect, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities for growth and sustainability. Each session features a guest speaker who shares their stories, insights, and actionable advice on how to achieve business success and overcome challenges.
The next session is on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. Featuring Dr. Allison Key, owner of 3:16 Healthcare, Key Farms, and Key Farms Meats & Mercantile. Dr. Key will share her journey to success, offering behind the scenes look at how she built her career in both medicine and business.
FAMILY BUSINESS RETREAT
This summer, the Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation will host a full two-day retreat to celebrate and bring together leading family businesses within the West Georgia region and beyond. The retreat will take place at the University of West Georgia Richards College of Business on July 23rd and 24th
Brad Fisher, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The Scalability Leadership Group will facilitate this retreat. Brad is an expert working primarily with family businesses and growth-stage companies that want to streamline their operations and enhance their results. Additional information on the retreat will be forthcoming. Mark your calendar and be on the lookout
FAMILY BUSIENSS ROUND TABLE
We are pleased to announce our March Family Business Round Table, scheduled for Wednesday, March 12th. This virtual session will last one hour and is offered at no cost, providing a valuable opportunity for family business owners and key managers to engage with important topics that impact your organization
Our upcoming session will feature Brian Lane from the University of West Georgia, who will lead a discussion on the essential topic of Innovation and Technology in Family Businesses.
We warmly invite you to join us for this informative discussion If you are interested in attending the round table on March 12th, please register using the link below. We look forward to connecting with you!
REGISTER NOW!
START UP BOOT CAMP
The Start-Up Boot Camp offers UWG students the resources, support, and guidance needed to develop and launch their business or social venture ideas This in-person, 10-week program will help participants identify and design scalable solutions to real-world problems
Taking place in Fall 2025, the program concludes with the Wolfden Pitch Competition at the UWG Campus Center, where students will compete for $5,000 in cash prizes Applications are open now, and interested students should submit their applications by Friday, April 11, 2025
Students can apply individually or as part of a team Virtual interviews will be held from April 2325, with finalists notified on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 The program is free for all current UWG students in good standing and is sponsored by the Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
WOLF-DEN PITCH COMPETITION
The Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation hosted a dynamic and highly successful Pitch Competition on November 14th This event brought together over 50 attendees, including community members, students, faculty, and staff, to celebrate the entrepreneurial talent within the University of West Georgia Six student entrepreneurs took to the stage to present their innovative business ideas, captivating the audience with their creativity, dedication, and vision The event was not only a platform for showcasing their ideas but also a celebration of collaboration and support within our growing entrepreneurial community
We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting another pitch competition following the completion of our upcoming Start-Up Bootcamp We are excited to witness the innovative business ideas from our new entrepreneurs and encourage you to stay tuned for further details We invite you to join us in supporting our student entrepreneurs as they bring their visions to life
DESIGN THINKING WORKSHOP
Our spring Design Thinking workshop for faculty and staff will take place on Friday, April 11th This day-long workshop will take place in the Richards College of Business and focus on the basics of Design Thinking, especially in the context of how it can be applied at all levels. Design Thinking is an experiential problemsolving tool The workshop is free to faculty, staff, and graduate students If you are interested in the workshop, please register by Monday, April 7th
GARY SCHOENIGER LUNCHEON
The Stone Center hosted Gary Schoeniger, author and entrepreneur on campus on Thursday, February 27th. Gary’s recent book “The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic that Unleashes Human Potential” further explores the importance of developing and promoting an entrepreneurial mindset in all aspects of our society Gary had the opportunity to interact with the academic affairs leadership and deliver a keynote luncheon to UWG students, faculty, staff and the community at large. The Stone Center is exploring ways to promote entrepreneurial mindset among UWG students.
MEET LILLY RILEY
Lilly Riley is the newest Graduate Assistant at the Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Originally from Bentonville, Arkansas, Lilly came to the University of West Georgia as a part of the Cheerleading team. In the spring of 2024, Lilly graduated with her B.S. in Psychology from the University of West Georgia and is currently enrolled in the M.Ed. Applied Behavior Analysis program She is excited to be working in the Stone Center, where she is eager to learn and contribute to the dynamic environment of family business, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
