BIG Café
On March 9, 2016, BIG Café was held at City Campus in downtown Statesboro, where entrepreneurs, students and faculty gathered together to help solve business problems. Typically, BIG Café is comprised of two local entrepreneurs who present for six minutes about their businesses and pose a challenge to the group; however, this past event included two Georgia Southern entrepreneurial students who presented, while seeking advice from attendees. It was great to see faculty and local entrepreneurs provide insight and invaluable feedback to the young entrepreneurs, while enjoying a delicious cup of complimentary coffee provided by Cool Beanz.
The two presenters for BIG Café included Mindy Lord, owner of Luella Designs, and Eric Degen, with ChapterEase. Both presented with the intent of receiving knowledge and feedback from the attendees to help solve current and future business problems. After giving an overview of her company, Mindy Lord posed the question, “Do I stick to the flower farm or the flower business?”
Bob Claxton, owner of Heritage Video, said, “If you love doing weddings, then go that way, but, if you love farming, then go that way.” It seems that both businesses have the potential to be profitable, so Mindy should either choose the one she has a greater passion for or try and juggle them both. Fred David, owner of Minuteman Press, suggested that Mindy should “partner with a close farm. A joint venture would allow you to concentrate on the wedding business and still allows you to have part in the farm business.” Other feedback included educating brides on the importance of purchasing locally grown flowers, finding someone who has a similar passion as you and allying your business with your father’s packaging plant to transport flowers.
After a brief coffee break, Eric Degen asked the question, “Where does the line of friendship stop and business partners begin?” Fred David, owner of Minuteman Press, proposed, “Y’all should have in writing everybody’s responsibilities and sit down with someone you trust and can help you with the legal writing of a contract.” Paul Johnson, owner of Kingdom Cuts, said, “Have a foundational value, and business is business and friendship is friendship.” David and Paul stressed the importance of having a contract formed and where Eric should draw the line between business and friendship. Brian Reiss, owner of Party Harbor Inflatables, suggested, “Cut the deadwood early; if they don’t have passion, then cut them early.” Other suggestions included define your roles, set goals and dates and that ChapterEase could be used in any service organization in addition to the Greek system.
BIG Café was a huge success thanks to everyone who attended and gave invaluable feedback. Also, special thanks to Mindy Lord and Eric Degen for presenting and to our sponsors Cool Beanz, Fred David, and Elena McLendon of DSDA. If you would like to present your business obstacle(s) at BIG Café, please contact Jill Johns at jjohns@georgiasouthern.edu or (912) 478-0872. Attend the next BIG Café if you would like to network, drink free coffee and help others thrive. If you attend five times, you will receive a free BIG Café coffee mug!
View March’s BIG Café at
youtube.com/watch?v=7IaaXIvQOIg
youtube.com/watch?v=u2HyHxMYoyA
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