STONE CENTER
JANUARY 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 Conversations
In partnership with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, the Stone Center is launching a new monthly Coffee & Conversation series This free event provides a welcoming space for business owners to connect, discuss challenges, and explore growth opportunities. Each session will feature a guest speaker sharing their story
The inaugural session is on Thursday, February 20, from 8:30 to 9:30 a m at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Wesley Stone, Director of Governmental Affairs for Systems and Methods, Inc , will discuss his family’s business success and the Stone family's involvement with the UWG Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. Registration is required.
REGISTER NOW!
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
Dr. Erich Bergiel
FAMILY BUSIENSS ROUND TABLE
We are pleased to announce our February Family Business Round Table, scheduled for Wednesday, February 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 Dr Erich Bergiel from the University of West Georgia, who will lead a discussion on the essential topic of Leadership in Family Businesses.
We warmly invite you to join us for this informative discussion If you are interested in attending the round table on February 12th, please register using the link below. We look forward to connecting with you!
REGISTER NOW! https://www
START UP BOOT CAMP
The Start-Up Boot Camp is a program that provides resources, preparation, and support for UWG students interested in developing a business or social venture idea they have been working on or thinking about This is an in-person program that focuses on how to identify and design solutions for a scalable business or social problem.
The 10-week program will take place from August 26 - November 13 and will conclude with the Wolfden Pitch Competition on November 13th in UWG campus where participants will compete for $5,000 in cash awards Interested students should submit their application by Friday, April 11, 2025 Students can apply to the program individually or with a team Selected participants will take part in virtual interviews from April 23rd - 25th and boot camp finalists will be notified on Wednesday, April 30th The boot camp is free to 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 entrepreneurialtalent 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 entrepreneurialcommunity
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
GARYSCHOENIGER
FEBRUARY 27, 2025 | 11:30 AM | CAMPUS CENTER BALLROOM
Join us for the Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Luncheon featuring Gary Schoeniger, author, entrepreneur, and internationally recognized speaker Gary Schoeniger as he discusses his new book, The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic that Unleashes Human Potential.
Gary Schoeniger is an author, founder, speaker, and internationally recognized thought leader in entrepreneurial mindset education, training, and consulting. He is interested in the hidden mechanisms and the underlying factors that stimulate entrepreneurial behavior. He is the founder of the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, a global leader in entrepreneurial mindset education, professional development, and consulting services. He is also the co-author, along with Pulitzer nominee Clifton Taulbert, of Who Owns The Ice House: Eight Life Lessons From An Unlikely Entrepreneur.
