Troy University’s IDEA Bank will host Entrepreneurship Week Sept. 20-24 with free, open-to-the-public programs daily.
“We are excited to offer the public and TROY students the chance to learn valuable tips for their businesses,” said Lynne Firmin-George, director of the IDEA Bank.
Located on South Court Square in downtown Troy, the IDEA Bank’s mission is to develop Troy University and Troy, Alabama into a regional center for economic growth by creating entrepreneurial resources and collaboration opportunities for our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, local businesses, and leaders. The IDEA Bank aims to support student-centric entrepreneurship and new ventures in the southeast Alabama region by providing students with the knowledge, resources, and support system to launch their ideas locally.
Each day, a Coffee & Collaboration session will be from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. The informal, come-and-go opportunity will provide a glimpse of what the IDEA Bank can offer.
From 2 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, Optics Consulting owner Will Pouncey will review how to evaluate the financial aspects of a new business, including market research, financial projects and more in a session entitled “Back of the Napkin Numbers.”
Tuesday, Sept. 21, local entrepreneurs will present a roundtable that will feature stories of success and failure. This will be an opportunity to ask and learn questions in a relaxed and open environment.
“Building a Professional Identity from Concept to Completion” is the focus of Wednesday’s session from 2 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. Graphic Design Professor Chris Stagl will walk participants through the process of creating a logo for their companies and cover branding strategies.
Two sessions are offered on Thursday, Sept. 23. The first is a virtual session on strategic and authentic brand storytelling. Chayil Media Publishing owner Danielle Wallace will present “Bridging the Digital Gap with Brand Storytelling” from 12 p.m. until 1 pm.
Later, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., award-winning filmmaker, student entrepreneur and author of “You’re Just a Statistic” Ty Rickard will present the week’s keynote presentation at a reception in his honor. Rickard build a profitable media production business by 15 years of age and gained a national clientele of celebrities, musicians and global brands before graduating high school. He will share his insights on how to break the mold and build a career from one’s passion.
The IDEA Bank will round out the week with an open house from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
While the sessions are free to attend, space is limited, so reservations are required for all but the open house and the Coffee & Collaboration sessions. Register online at https://www.troy.edu/community-outreach/idea-bank/index.html or contact George via email at lfirmin@troy.edu.
