Oklahoma State’s Riata Center will host Entrepreneurs Inspire Bootcamp in Enid

Thursday, August 20, 2015

The Entrepreneurs Inspire Bootcamp features lectures and discussions from award-winning faculty in the OSU Spears School of Business, as well as several successful entrepreneurs and local experts. Classes will be held at the Autry Tech campus in Enid for four consecutive Tuesdays on Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 6-8:30 p.m. Autry Tech’s Small Business Development center will provide further coaching with an additional class.

"The Enid Entrepreneurs Inspire Bootcamp is one of our favorite off-campus outreach programs as it allows our faculty and students to connect with a rural community that otherwise we would not have the chance to work with,” said Misty Stutsman, manager of events and outreach for the Riata Center.

“Enid has a strong commitment to encouraging small business growth and it always inspires us to be a part of their entrepreneurial momentum. We love seeing people that have gone through the program in the past become successful small business owners and contribute to the growing Enid economy,” Stutsman said.

This year’s Bootcamp modules include “Bootcamp Basics,” taught by Bruce Barringer; head of OSU’s School of Entrepreneurship, and “All About the Numbers,” taught by Lance Fisher; clinical assistant professor in the School of Accounting. Also, “Understanding Your Customer,” taught by Lee Manzer, professor in the Department of Management, and “Lessons from Good to Great,” taught by Ken Eastman, dean of the Spears School and Norman and Suzanne Myers Endowed Chair for Excellence in Business Administration.

The modules will also feature industry experts and guest entrepreneurs.

The collaborative nature of this workshop aims at building rural entrepreneurship and reaching non-traditional students and local business owners in Enid and surrounding communities. The workshop hopes to teach those in the Enid region the necessary tools, perspectives, and approaches to be successful in their business endeavors. Curriculum for the modules is modeled after the entrepreneurship course curriculum taught at OSU.

“We are excited about the continued partnership with the Riata Center because of the expertise and resources they bring to Enid,” said Cara Carson, self-employment coordinator at Autry Tech. “OSU shares their professors with our small businesses and start-ups – this is special because it provides access to knowledge and the ability to ask questions about the cornerstones of building a business that they would otherwise not have.

“Enid has a very supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. It’s an incredible thing that education institutions, private industry and economic development have partnered and raised funds to provide year round entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities. From the spring seminar at NWOSU to the Autry Small Business Development Workshop to the Youth Entrepreneurship Series to the Cherokee Strip Business Model Competition and, of course, the upcoming Entrepreneurs Inspire Bootcamp. There are so many local companies and individuals that make this possible – especially the contributions of Lew Ward and Paul Allen.

“So many of the bootcamp participants have gone on to launch companies in our local trade area,” Carson said. “A number have gone on to become tenants in the Autry incubator and several have been awarded capital through the Cherokee Strip Business Model Competition. I’m so proud that we are able to offer resources and programming that aids job creation and helps to grow the wealth in Northwest Oklahoma.”

If interested in scholarships, contact Carson at ccarson@autrytech.edu to see if you qualify.

To register for the 2015 Entrepreneurs Inspire Bootcamp, contact Paula Loesch at 580-242-2750 or by mail at the Business Development Center, 1201 West Willow Enid, Oklahoma 73703. Substitutions are allowed but no refunds will be made. Cash and money orders will not be accepted.

For additional information about the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, go to riata.okstate.edu.