Marriott School of Management Holds Third Annual Entrepreneurship Week

PROVO, Utah – Nov 27, 2013 – The Marriott School of Management held its third annual entrepreneurship week this fall, reaching out across campus to engage more students in entrepreneurial efforts.

“E-week has brought a general awareness of entrepreneurship to campus because we try to involve every college and department,” says Scott Petersen, Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology director. “Students don’t have to make a choice between majoring in entrepreneurship and doing what they’re passionate about — they can do both.”

The Rollins Center hosted the festivities that began with nearly 1,000 students attending the week’s kick-off event. Attendees with majors ranging from elementary education to neuroscience heard insights about entrepreneurship from keynote speaker David Boyce, founder and CEO of Fundly.com. Boyce, a Marriott School alumnus and graduate of Harvard University, made it clear that Marriott School students are not the only ones capable of starting a business.

“Energy, intelligence and passion is all you need,” Boyce said. “If you are inspired by money and things, it’s not going to get you through. It’s the passion and inspiration that drives you.”

As students finish their education, Boyce believes they do not have to wait to become entrepreneurs. He emphasized that they have everything they need to start a successful venture.

“You will never be more ready than you are right now,” Boyce said. “If you have ideas, don’t sit still. Don’t be afraid to be great.”

Boyce’s excitement for entrepreneurship energized students for the coming week of activities which included pitching investors, networking and instruction from professionals.

During Investors Day, a new event held at Zion’s Bank Tower in Provo, teams pitched their business ideas to investors in the Utah community. After months of preparation, some students’ ambitions were realized as they walked away from the event with new business partners.

Other events throughout the week provided attendees opportunities to become stronger entrepreneurs.  Activities helped participants network with potential business associates and obtain expert advice on managing a start-up.

Students like Steven Dewey, a pre-management junior from Portland, Ore., used these opportunities to solidify their thoughts about launching ventures.

“It motivated me to be an entrepreneur; I can be one and should be one,” Dewey says. “It also helped me recognize what my motive should be. The motive of being an entrepreneur shouldn’t be wealth. It should be the experience of starting and creating your own company.”