For entrepreneurs, there’s no time like the present to jumpstart a business. Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom once said, “If you’ve got an idea, start today. There’s no better time than now to get going. That doesn’t mean quit your job and jump into your idea 100% from day one, but there’s always small progress that can be made to start the movement.”
Getting that start can be challenging for entrepreneurs of any age but especially difficult for younger individuals. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is aiming to smooth the path for college students aspiring to start their own businesses.
ASBTDC is launching a Build Your Own Business initiative that will provide UA Little Rock students with free business consulting and a webinar series that addresses key business concepts and essentials. ASBTDC business consultants will also offer free virtual officer hours for UA Little Rock students on the first and third Friday of each month, from 1-4 p.m.
“Starting a business can take many forms: a side gig, a full-time profession, or commercialization of an innovative technology,” ASBTDC state director Laura Fine said in a statement. “Students studying art, engineering, journalism, or other disciplines have an opportunity to turn their ideas and passions into money-making ventures, sometimes with little to no capital. ASBTDC can help UA Little Rock students develop their ideas and get started.”
ASBTDC is holding three webinars targeted toward college student entrepreneurs.
On Sept. 18, Heather Robinette, with ASBTDC, will discuss the lean canvas approach. On Oct. 15, UA Little Rock MBA program graduate Pavithran Tirukazhukundram Sekar (Pavi) Indirawill discuss the launch of his company Magic Water Drinks. The third webinar will be held on Nov. 18 and will feature Glediana Rexha, UA Little Rock’s intellectual property manager. Rexha will discuss the Tech Launch program that helps students and faculty achieve commercial success with inventions and research.
To arrange a consulting appointment or obtain more information, contact Robinette at 501-831-9134 or hbrobinette@ualr.edu.
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