Growing Entrepreneurs

This September, Carroll College will launch a new entrepreneurial program with the goal of exposing its students to real-world, practical instruction in creating and growing new business ventures.  I will be collaborating with them on this project and serving as their “Entrepreneur-in-Residence.”  This is an exciting way for us to help our students and to grow new business leaders for Montana, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

My role will include working with a small team of faculty and industry advisers to construct the initial scope and sequence for the program, and then doing monthly visits to the campus during the school year to meet with the entrepreneurial teams.  In addition, I will give periodic business-related lectures on campus.

Tom Evans, president of Carroll College, explains the program well:  “This pioneering new program is a cross between traditional classroom instruction and a business incubator. Our goal is to maximize application of what our students have learned to provide an academic experience that is grounded in practical industry knowledge. The program may also result in the development of new businesses in Helena and around the state to grow our economy.”

There’s no question that entrepreneurial skills can be learned in this program, and nothing beats real-world experience as a teacher.  I love working with young people who have big dreams, and I look forward to working with the faculty and students at Carroll.