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February 13, 2003
Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu
Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)
| TROY
STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS PRESS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 1-334-670-3196 |
| Minority
Entrepreneurship Seminar scheduled for Feb. 25 at TSU Minority entrepreneurs from southeast Alabama will share some of the secrets of their successes at a seminar Feb. 25 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Claudia Crosby Theater at Troy State University. The second annual "Spotlight on Minority Entrepreneurs" is sponsored by the chapters of Phi Gamma Nu, a business fraternity and SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) along with the TSU Small Business Development Center. This event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is requested. Call 334-670-3771 to pre-register or for more information. The seminar is a panel discussion designed as a question and answer forum. Entrepreneurs of small businesses from the Montgomery, Dothan and Troy areas will share their successes, their failures and their ideas of what has worked for them. Entrepreneurs are willing to take risks, to initiate new ways of doing business, to introduce new products and to promote free enterprise. Panelists include seven Montgomery business owners Richard Bowden, Collective Import; James Harris, Ensemble Beverage Co.; Martha Hawkins, Martha’s Place; Carl Johnson, Jenerations Insurance Inc.; Anthony Smith, State Farm Insurance; Rodney Crenshaw, World Gym; and Lawrence Cole, President of First Tuskegee Bank. Other panelists are Dorothy Townsend, Total World of Troy; Mattie McGrady, Fashion Boutique of Troy; Willie Scott, Precious’s Hair Studio & Boutique of Troy; and Robert Dickens, Dickens Janitorial of Dothan. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, and based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, all U.S. firms grew by 7 percent from 1992-97 while minority owned firms grew by 30 percent. Janet Kervin, director of the TSU-SBDC, said, "It is exciting to see all segments of our population especially minority owned businesses pursuing the American Dream of owning and operating their own businesses and being their own bosses. True entrepreneurs are willing to take risks, to initiate new ways of doing business, to introduce new products and to promote free enterprise. In addition to owning their own businesses, we see many minority owned business leaders making greater contributions, assuming greater responsibilities and providing excellent leadership in our communities." Dr. Sebrena Moten, assistant professor of business law in the Sorrell College of Business and faculty advisor for Phi Gamma Nu, said, "We had this seminar for the first time last year and we want to make it an annual event." |