Enter entrepreneurs: TCC opens classes, competition
Pictured at the Spirit Award kick off are, from left, Adrienne and David Kallweit, 2007 Spirit Award winners for SeekingSitters; Dr. Ric Baser, of TCC; Kell Kelly, of SpiritBank; Gerald Buckley, 2008 Spirit Award winner for Grocio; Former Mayor Kathy Taylor, Spirit Award visionary; Ned Bruha, 2007 Spirit Award third place winner for The Skunk Whisperer; Carey Dunkin Baker, 2009 Spirit Award second place winner for Part-Time Pros; Ted Cundiff, of SpiritBank; and Brett Baker, 2009 Spirit Award second place winner for Part-Time Pros.
Tulsa Community College unveiled a new philosophy this spring designed to appeal to emerging entrepreneurs and reignite Tulsa’s economy. The two entrepreneurial endeavors include an educational program and a competition.
Launch: Your Entrepreneurial Journey, Powered by TCC, is an educational program designed to accelerate the start-up process required to build a company. It is made up of 16 weekly business-building sessions that guide entrepreneurs through the critical steps required to take an idea to the marketplace. At the end of the program, entrepreneurs will have an operating business and/or a prototype.
As another outreach effort to inspire entrepreneurs, TCC has partnered with SpiritBank in the SpiritBank/Tulsa Community College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award competition. Previously this award was called Mayor Kathy Taylor’s Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit Award sponsored by SpiritBank.
TCC’s involvement in the Spirit Award and development of the Launch program are a reflection of the College’s commitment to supporting small businesses. Tulsa small businesses comprise 82 percent of Tulsa’s business community and generate a $3.1 billion impact on the Tulsa economy each year.
TCC’s philosophy to grow and encourage entrepreneurs falls in line with the national push led by President Barack Obama to encourage and support small businesses.
www.launchyourejourney.com
www.tulsaspiritaward.com
