The Speakers Series is designed to introduce students to the skills necessary to start a business by covering various topics that startup companies most consider. We strive to have these topics covered by interesting people experienced with the subject matter so that the presentation is both educational and interesting. Our focus on topics over personalities ensures that the speech is relevant. Our effort to find the best presenters ensures that it is engaging. Check back often to learn who is scheduled.

Jim Solomon

Jim Solomon
SCORE Counselor
Monday, November 6, 2006 5:00pm
Adams Hall 150

Jim Solomon is a counselor with the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), a nationwide volunteer association dedicated to helping individuals learn how to start businesses with free, confidential business counseling. Mr. Solomon spoke about how to construct a business plan and why you need one. Business plans are essential in researching, planning, and raising money for a business. Mr. Solomon provided an opportunity to learn how to compete in the statewide business plan competition with prizes totaling $100,000.

Jeff Sandefer

Jeff Sandefer
Master Teacher for the Acton MBA program
Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 6:30pm
Price Hall 2040

Jeff Sandefer, Master Teacher for the Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship program, led a discussion on the Acton program, the experiences of Acton students, and whether an MBA is valuable to aspiring entrepreneurs. A graduate of the Harvard Business School, Jeff Sandefer has founded or co-founded five successful companies and currently manages Sandefer Capital Partners - a multi-billion dollar energy investment firm. In 2002, Mr. Sandefer and a group of successful entrepreneurs founded the Acton MBA. Princeton Review ranks Acton as one of the top MBA programs in the country.

W. Arthur "Skip" Porter

W. Arthur "Skip" Porter
University Vice President for Technology Development
Monday, October 23, 2006 at 5:00pm
Adams Hall 150

Arthur "Skip" Porter, University Vice President for Technology Development, Administrator of the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth (CCEW), and former Dean of the OU College of Engineering, spoke with the Entrepreneur Society about how to develop and protect ideas. In a knowledge-based economy, developing and protecting ideas is one of the most critical aspects of crafting a successful business. Questions such as, "How can students come up with their own ideas for a business?", "How can they license the ideas of others?", "What is intellectual property?", and "How should a business protect its intellectual property?" were discussed.

Daniel Pullin

Daniel Pullin
Executive Director of the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth
Monday, October 9, 2006 at 5:00pm
Adams Hall 150

Daniel Pullin, Executive Director of the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth (CCEW) and OU Entrepreneurship Center instructor, spoke with the Entrepreneur Society about the CCEW, an on-campus program where students and faculty can learn about and develop entrepreneurial ventures. The CCEW offers internship opportunities for students of every discipline to actively build businesses around OU's latest technologies. This presentation was followed by an Entrepreneur Society General Meeting.

Scott Rayburn

Scott Rayburn
Attorney with 25 years experience in business oriented practice
Monday, October 2, 2006 at 5:00pm
Adams Hall 150

Scott Rayburn, an owner and VP of Legal at Canaan Resources, LLC, President/Shareholder of Scott M. Rayburn, PC, and OU Entrepreneurship Center instructor, spoke with the Entrepreneur Society about the legal issues any aspiring entrepreneur needs to consider. The audience heard Mr. Rayburn's experienced advice on fundamental considerations of forming a successful company that may help avoid trouble in the future. Mr. Rayburn spoke to issues such as personal finance, types of business entities, how to select legal help, the context of raising capital, and constructing effective business deals.

John McDonald

John McDonald
Founder and President of Boulevard Brewing Company
Monday, August 28, 2006 at 5:00pm
Meacham Auditorium in the Student Union

John McDonald, Founder and President of the well-known Boulevard Brewing Company, spoke about his experiences during the early days of Boulevard. Founded in 1989 and based on the historic model of local and regional breweries that flourished throughout the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Boulevard has grown at a rate of 15% - 20% per year to become the largest specialty brewer in the region. This success was recognized in 2003, when John McDonald earned Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year" award for the food and beverage category. The presentation offered insight not only into the challenges and strategies of Boulevard's formative years, but also Mr. McDonald's concern for local communities and the environment.