“By small and simple things . . . “ was the theme at our Spring 2005 Entrepreneur Founders Conference, held March 31 and April 1st. We had great support for our activities by Founders, Potential Founders, and Friends of the Center for Entrepreneurship. On Thursday afternoon some Founders judged and mentored student businesses in a Founders Choice competition, choosing two of the best to present the next morning at breakfast.

That night the “Best of the Decade” crystal awards were given to two notably successful former students, Jonathan Coon of 1-800 CONTACTS as well as Nathan Gwilliam of Adoption.com. Following a delicious dinner catered by "Chef’s Table" in the Ballroom of Academy Square in Provo, we heard from the honorees as they told about their businesses and expressed gratitude for help they received from BYU when they were starting their businesses on campus as students. Coon’s business, 1-800 CONTACTS, is a well known contact lens distributing company. He has received many honors and recognitions, including the Ernst &#amp; Young sponsored Entrepreneur of the Year Competition. Gwilliam’s business, Adoption.com, is the world’s #1 adoption resource, a profitable company based in Tempe, AZ. We learned that a small business can thrive with mentoring and determination, and further grow into a public business that benefits the lives of many.

Thank you gifts were given to Board Chair John Simcox and wife Charlene prior to leaving for a new assignment at BYU Hawaii. It hasn’t been too long since this “roving” couple returned from their mission in Russia. Well, you can’t keep a faithful couple like that home on the farm …or should I say the ranch?

The traditional Friday breakfast buffet was well attended and included remarks by Dean Steve Albrecht and awards for students efforts in ACE and the Business Plan Competition. The two finalists for Founders Choice competition presented and were judged. First Place of $3000 went to Frooshi, a company which manufactures fresh fruit and rice desserts similar to the concept of sushi. The Second Place award of $2000 went to BilliardEx, a company which sells high-quality billiards tables at a discounted price.

Entrepreneur Founders/Guests spouses met together for a lecture by Richard G. Wilkins, the Managing Director of the World Family Policy Center at BYU. A Professor of Law in the J. Reuben Clark Law School, he is a former Assistant to the Solicitor General, United States Department of Justice. He spoke about founding the World Family Policy Center in 1997 and how he organized a series of world-wide interdisciplinary meeting on questions of family policy. Following this the spouses enjoyed a luncheon and time to visit friends old and new.

Founders and Guests joined with students in panel discussions of topics such as "Habits of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs," "Ten Rules of Thumb for Business Success," "Creating Wealth Through Real Estate," "Starting a Business While in College," "Putting Together a Winning Business Team Including Partners." Panels were well attended and everyone hated to part when it came time for lunch.

BYU Business Plan Competition was held on Friday afternoon as the final event in the Joseph Smith Auditorium. Read news coverage of the event from the following sources:

Business owned by Y. students wins $59,000

Alianza Wins 2005 Business Plan Competition

Following the awards, a reception was held for winners, press, and guests in the Joseph Smith Building foyer.