October 23, 2024 - The first annual Inspired Entrepreneurs event brought together nearly 100 students from various programs across the university. The event, held in the Jim Fielding Innovation and Commercialization Space of the Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation, and Engineering Building on September 25th was designed to bring students together with experienced business leaders in the community.
Local entrepreneurs and business leaders shared invaluable insights on building successful businesses and navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.
The panel of professionals included diverse community entrepreneurs, some of whom are 黑料吃瓜不打烊 alumni. Each shared their journey, highlighting both the challenges and successes they encountered along the way.
Community Entrepreneurs in attendance included:
- Pat Dubreuil, President of Let’s Roll Ideation Consulting
- Nicole Paquin, Owner of Nickel City Cheese Sudbury
- Hailey Hastie, Founder and CEO of The Social Soulpreneur
- Melissa Deschenes, Innovation Quarters, Regional Business Centre
Led by Dr. Patricia Orozco and supported by 黑料吃瓜不打烊’s Bureau des Affaires Francophone, the event featured a bilingual speaker's panel of past and present student entrepreneurs, keynote speakers, and a networking lunch. The goal of the event aligned with Dr. Orozco’s research interests which focus on entrepreneurial skills and competencies and the significance of attributes like creativity, resilience, and leadership.
“As educators we want students to feel empowered to reach for their goals. With this event, we wanted to create a space where students can not only learn about business but also understand the personal journeys that made these diverse entrepreneurs successful,” said Dr. Orozco.
A panel discussion, moderated by fourth-year Business Administration student Athena Florentis Grandmaison, gave attendees the opportunity to hear from current and former students who balanced their course work with building their business as emerging entrepreneurs, including:
- Samantha Blender, Owner of Gwiddy (@shopgwiddy)
- Emma Lapointe, Founder of Solace Supply and Co-Founder of Go & Glow Cleaning Services (@shopsolacesupply, @goandglowservices)
- Florish Abebayo, Owner of Beiwty Rish Rish Cosmetics, fourth-year biochemistry student (@beiwty_rish)
“The multi-layered approach to this event is what made it so special. Attendees were in the presence of brilliant, successful local business people and given the chance to mingle with them,” remarked Florentis Grandmaison. “Hearing their experiences and engaging in discussion allowed us to see firsthand how entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario are creating impact in the business world.”
The Inspired Entrepreneurs event is exemplary of the School of Business Administration’s broader mission to connect students and the local business community, fostering relationships to guide and inspire future entrepreneurs. Plans are already underway to make Inspired Entrepreneurs an annual event.