annualreport (7)

The Ei Annual Report 2014-15 |


Mission

Vision

The institute will provide a safe haven and center of knowledge for all things

entrepreneurial in our community.

Be a leader in the critically important, fast growing areas of entrepreneurship

and small business development for our first generation students, urban, minority,

female participants, faculty and staff.


The Ei Incubator is a short-term program designed to promote the growth and success of entrepreneurship at CSUDH. The Ei-Incubator offers mentoring, coaching, and support services such as business planning tools, legal advice, marketing strategies, business feasibility analysis and networking opportunities. It also connects entrepreneurs to venture capitalists who may be interested in investing in their businesses.

What will I get from the Attending?

• Possible job opportunities and advice from working professionals. • Connect with our network • Utilize the synergy and all the people willing to help and guide you in the right direction. • Honest and constructive sound board for your business or business ideas. • Involve yourself with real life businesses

Who can attend the Incubator?

We welcome everyone from the CSUDH campus including students, staff and faculty and local community who wish to pursue their entrepreneurial passion!

Do I need to be a Business or Entrepreneurial- related Major?

We welcome all majors! For Spring 2015, the incubator included students studying Finance, Art and Computer Science in addition to Business and Entrepreneur Majors.

How much does the Incubator cost?

The incubator is free!

Do I need to make an appointment or RSVP?

Nope, just stop by during incubator hours

Are you looking for mentors?

Yes! We are seeking individuals with entrepreneurial skills who would like to assist the incubator clients with their projects!

What is The Entrepreneurial Institute Incubator?


My name is Jaesen Alfassa, not surprisingly I’m graduating as a entrepreneurial major, and my company is Silent 2 Sounds.Now if you are proactive and like to be in control, if you rather solve problems then complain about them, enjoy a balance a between listening to your favorite music and quiet time, have a place in your heart for socially minded causes, and enjoy products with functionality that are aesthetically pleasing, and economical....

I have a product for you; Silent

to Sounds is the first fashionable, socially minded which I will get to… Earplugs… (Silent) and Earphones… (Sounds i.e. music) all in one device.

Giving back has always been apart of who we are its in our name, Silent 2 Sounds.

What I plan to do is team up with the Star Key Hearing Foundation and become the Tom shoes of Ear buds.

Are you familiar with the Tom’s Shoes Advertising campaign 1 for 1 where for every shoe sold Tom Shoes donates a pair of shoes?

We plan to do the same thing where for every unit sold a certain percentage goes towards helping the foundation provide more hearing aids to the underprivileged.

Silent 2 Sounds will positively impact the hearing community by helping hearing impaired kids with the ability to learn in a conventional educational setting, communicate with love ones, and enjoy the gift we often take for granted... Sound i.e. music.

Ei Incubator Graduate & Toro Tank Winner Jaesen Alfassa

Silent 2 Sounds

“Silent to Sounds is the first

fashionable, socially minded ...Earplug

and Earphones all in one device. “


The CSUDH CBAPP Department Scholars &The Entrepreneurial Institute Proudly Present:

The American Dream Starts HereAn Entrepreneur Symposium

Morning Session Starting @ 9 AM to 12:30 PM

Complimentary Pizza Lunch Provided by CBAPP

Welcome Message from Dr. Joseph Wen, Dean CBAPP

"Why Innovation Matters" by Keynote Speaker Mr. Praveen Penmesta, CEO, Motivo Engineering

Panel Presentation: Panel Presentation:

"How I Achieved My American Dream"

Q & A and Meet & Greet to Follow

Afternoon Session Starting @ 12:30PM

Toro Tank CSUDH Entrepreneurs will compete and present

their “American Dream” for CASH prizes.

Vice President

Young Entrepreneur:

David Rice & Kristin RiceCalifornia Medical, Inc.Founder & President

Social Entrepreneur:

Stephanie MoralesFounder, Mother's Nurture Center

WHEN:Thursday, December 4, 2014

9:00AM to 3:00PMWHERE:

Loker Student UnionBallroom C

RSVP:RSVP:[email protected]

By December 3, 2014Event is Free. Parking $5.

Franchise Entrepreneur:

Patricia WilliamsMcDonald’s Franchisee

Serial Entrepreneur:

Chris BraunCEO, Convaid

The American Dream Starts Here

The American Dream Starts Here

BY JOHNNY ROMOOnline Staff Writer

CSUDH holds first Entrepreneurial Symposium titled, “The American Dream Starts Here.”

Dozens of business students piled into the student union to attend the first-ever Entrepreneurial Symposium at California State University Dominguez Hills.

The Dec. 4 event, named “The American Dream Starts Here,” was sponsored by the College of Business and Public Policy and the Entrepreneurial Institute. Students who attended the event listened to guest speakers of successful businesses and franchises such as Motivo Engineering, the Mother Nurture Center, Convaid, McDonald’s and California Medical, Inc.

The speakers gave students advice and shared personal successes and

failures.Each speaker had a specific point

they wanted to get across to the audience. For Praveen Penmesta, the CEO and founder of Motivo Engineering, it was making a difference in the world.

“Our challenge as entrepreneurs is to have an idea that leaves an impact,” said Penmesta.

Penmesta also warned students that change is a crucial part in the entrepreneurial world.

“As entrepreneurs, we have to constantly innovate,” said Penmesta. “Otherwise, we will never survive.”

Following Penmesta, Stephanie Morales, founder of the Mother

Nurture Center, explained the difficulties of starting her own business, and said that it is never an easy process. She gave advice on financing their own business, building an infrastructure, creating a brand and finding motivation to make their visions come to fruition.

CEO of Convaid Christopher Braun told students that being an entrepreneur is more than making useful products.

“Great products do not make great success,” said Braun.

Braun said that a successful entrepreneur needs a vision to go along with a product.

“With that vision, you need other people around you that share the same passion for the same vision,” said Braun.

Patricia Williams, franchise owner of 14 McDonald’s restaurants, told students that the hardest part of owning a business is the constant work.

“When it’s your own business, it’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Williams. “You can’t just start something and have someone finish

your work later.”Vice President of

California Medical, Inc. Kristen Rice said that her husband, David Rice, started the company. She said he struggled to get funding from major sources, but did so by being passionate about his

cause.Rice said that the reason her

company is a success is because she and her husband truly care about helping people.

Students were allowed to ask questions to each speaker after all of them had finished talking. The event “Toro Tank” soon followed in the same room.

CEO/Founder of Motivo Engineering Praveen Penmesta answered questions from students during the symposium.


KNWRZN? What could that possibly mean?

For Erik Ceja, a business administration student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) who

graduates May 15 with his bachelor’s degree, it is a growing streetwear apparel business and brand, an

investment in his future, and a tribute to a lost friend.

“My best friend Omar ‘Reazn’ Valdez passed away in 2007 at the age of 24. He was a local graffiti artist who greatly influenced me when I was growing up,” said Ceja, whose degree concentration is in marketing and advertising. “After he passed away, I wanted to keep his spirit alive and created the first incarnation of KNWRZN.”

An entrepreneur at heart, Ceja

decided he wanted to revive and grow his KNWRZN brand at the end of his junior year. He had always been interested in streetwear and enjoys the casual look of T-shirts, jeans and a baseball cap, and just “grew tired of wearing other people’s brands.”

“I wanted to offer an ethical alternative and put a positive spin on streetwear. Currently, my regular hats are purchased and embroidered in downtown Los Angeles. Our premium hats are cut-and-sewn locally and in the United States. We want people to know the reason behind their actions instead of merely acting for ‘no reason.’”

Ceja also found time to be an active member of the Pre-Law Society, and the Latino Student Business Association on campus. He is also a member of the new Entrepreneurial Institute @ CSUDH, where he presented his KNWRZN brand, first at its

business incubator program, followed by competing in the institute’s inaugural “Toro Tank” in fall 2014, for which he took 2nd place.

Since Ceja’s success at Toro Tank he has continued to work with CSUDH business professors Michael Grimshaw and Gary Polk at the South Bay Entrepreneurial Center, which partners with the institute to help its student members grow their businesses.

“We [KNWRZN] are still less than a year old but sales have been steadily increasing,” said Ceja. “People really get behind our brand. After purchasing a hat they become instant brand ambassadors. Most of our sales come from word-of-mouth and repeat customers.”

Ceja has been accepted by the Los Angeles-based Southwestern School of Law’s two-year accelerated JD-option (juris doctor) degree program, also known as SCALE.

“While I’m in law school, one main objective will be to keep KNWRZN relevant and growing,”

he said. “I plan on continuing with snapbacks, beanies, and premium hats, and adding T-shirts, jackets, tank tops and other articles of clothing. The ultimate goal is to market a completely

made-in-the-USA or ethically made—sweatshop free—brand of clothing that supports people and organizations that are passionate about their own ‘reasons.’”

Ei Incubator Graduate & Toro Tank Winner Erik Ceja

“We want people to know the reason behind their

actions instead of merely acting for ‘no

reason.’”

BY PAUL BROWNING, Dateline Dominguez


Start Small, Finish Big, but Get Started!

Ei Incubator Open HouseWednesday, February 18th

To kick off the semester the Ei held an Open House to help get the word out about the resources, support and networking opportunities that the Ei Incubator provides on a weekly basis to the CSUDH community including students, faculty and staff. The Incubator explored topics such as The Entrepreneurial Society Club, Business Incubation, Acceleration and Growth, Business and Social Entrepreneurship Projects, Entrepreneurial Speakers and Symposiums, and the Toro Tank.

The conference workshops, titled “Start Small, Finish Big, But Get Started!” is a three-part series.

Sharon Petersen from LACC Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses showed a video on how to market, pitch and recruit for your business. She explained that in order to join Golden Sachs one must be owner or co-owner of a business, business in operation for at least two years, and make between $150,000 and $4 million in revenue. The Golden Sachs program is made up of 11 sessions over a three-to four-month period.

CSUDH marketing professor Kirti Celly talked about using innovation to create a satisfied customer.

She discussed how even just making Uncle Ben’s rice from slow cooked to instant was a big success because people live such fast lives but they don’t want to eat McDonalds.

“It is the customer who determines

what the business is,” Celly said. “Because it’s purpose is to create a customer, any business enterprise has two- and only these two basic functions: marketing and innovation.”

Charlie Lowe, business advisor from the El Camino Business Development Center, focused on why businesses buy into marketing.

He believes marketing increases awareness of products and services. With marketing a business gains more contacts, relationships, sales and profit.

He believes one should not have an attitude and rather listen humbly to their clients.

The “Start Small, Finish Big, But Get Started!” workshops are brought to the public by the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute

(MDAAPEI) at CSUDH in collaboration with the Entrepreneurial Institute at CSUDH, California SBDC Los Angeles Regional Network and the South Bay Entrepreneurial Center.

BY CLAUDIA BERMUDEZCSUDH Bulletin Online Staff Writer

The speakers and attendees of the first of three series Start Small, Finish Big, but

Get Started workshop!

March 6th

March 20th

April 3rd


Social Entrepreneurship DayWednesday, March 4th

The first annual Social Entrepreneurship Day included a presentation by the team from ENACTUS (Entrepreneurial, Action, Us) and a screening of Bonsai People: The Vision of Muhammed Yunus, winner of Nobel Peace Prize for his revolutionary micro-lending global programs and pioneer of Social Business.

Ei Incubator Graduation CelebrationWednesday, April 29th

To close out a very successful semester during the Incubator, the Ei held a graduation celebration for those that participated in the incubator throughout the year. Included in the celebration were Incubator diplomas and pitch reviews.


Career in

EntrepreneurshipWORKSHOP

November18 1pm-2pmCareer Center WH360

“Entrepreneurs are the job creators of society, and one of the biggest

challenges facing modern economies can be unemployment. But quite

simply the more businesses we have, the more jobs there will be.”

James Caan, LinkedIn In�uencer

Co-sponsored: Career Center & The Entrepreneurial Institute in

College of Business & Public Policy

Presenters: Mike Grimshaw, Executive Director – The

Entrepreneurial Institute and Nicole Rodriguez, Acting Director –

Career Center

The Career Center (310) 243-3625 www.csudh.edu/CareerCenter

Career in Entrepreneuship Workshop

The Entrepreneurship as a Career workshop was held Nov. 18th with almost 20 students in attendance.

The event was sponsored by the College of Business and Public Policies and the Career Center at California State University Dominguez Hills.

The workshop focused on the attributes needed to become a self-made entrepreneur as well as the opportunities in each major offered at Dominguez Hills to be your own boss. Attributes included an entrepreneurial personality, being a creative problem solver and becoming a leader in your field. Staff also talked about the importance of knowing that if your weren’t born with these specific attributes, these skills can be developed through hard work and

persistence.“We are here to engage students

and give the opportunity for a career in entrepreneurship which foster a creative element and engagement,” said Nicole Rodriguez, acting director of the Career Center.

The workshop was held in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week, which is celebrated in more than 140 countries

with more than 4,000 events.

“This will be the first workshop for students to learn that entrepreneurship is a very valid way to make a living,” said Mike Grimshaw, executive director of the Entrepreneurship Institute who spoke

at the Entrepreneurship as a Career workshop.

BY IGNACIO PADILLAOnline Staff Writer

Mike Grimshaw talked about being a creative problem solver at this week’s

entrepreneur workshop.

November 18th

The Millennials & Generation ZTuesday, February 24th

Presented by the Ei and CSUDH career center The Millenials & Generation Z workshop focused on the impact these generations have in the workplace & their confident, self-expressive ideas and ways of living.


A u d i t i o n | P i t c h | W i n

Pitch Auditions for Toro Tank:

11/18 12-1 PM Welch Hall, D36011/18 2-3 PM Welch Hall, D360

11/20 7PM Welch Hall, A139

Panel Judges:Venture Capitalist

Angel InvestorBanker

Financial Expert ASI President

City CouncilmanCity CouncilmanSerial Entrepreneur

Toro TankWill take place at the

American Dream Starts Here Symposium event

on Thursday, December 4, 2014.

RSVP: [email protected]

The Entrepreneurial Institute @ CSUDH Proudly Present:

Top 3 Entrepreneurs Share $1000 Cash Prize. Winner also receives business resources valued at $5000.

The Pitch Auditions & Training Workshop will prepare CSUDH Entrepreneurs* for their presentation to a panel of experts during the American Dream Starts Here Symposium event,

Toro Tank, on Thursday, December 4, 2014.If interested in competing please contact

Mike Grimshaw, Executive Director Ei, [email protected] 310-930-3094

If interested in attending Toro Tank please RSVP: [email protected]*Open to the whole CSUDH Community (staff/Faculty/students)


Based on the popular TV show Shark Tank, CSUDH’s event gave

entrepreneur students a chance to pitch their business ideas.

Toro Tank was held today, Dec. 4, in the Loker Student Union as part of the bigger “The American Dream Starts Here,” an entrepreneurial symposium presented by the CSUDH College of Business Administration and Public Policy.

The event began with presentations by successful entrepreneurs, CEOs and company presidents. The second half of the day concluded with California State University Dominguez Hills’ first-ever Toro Tank.

“The event went awesome, better then we had expected,” said Michael Grimshaw, advisory board member of the College of Business Administration and Public Policy. “The room was full of excitement, hope and enthusiasm; I’m surprised the walls are still standing.”

Preparations for the Toro Tank began last month, when groups had to go through auditions to pitch their product/business. Six groups pitched their ideas to a panel of judges,

which included venture capitalist

Fred Haney; angel investor/CEO Joe Platnick; CA United Bank (Banker) Kim Defenderfer; financial expert Michael Manahan; ASI President Chris Fernandez; Torrance City Councilman Mike Griffiths; and serial entrepreneur Constance Jackson.

Placing third, and winning $300, was a group that wanted to open a karaoke lounge.

Second place, and also winning $300, was a streetwear company, KNW RZN, that would produce quality hats.

The first-place winner was South Bay Cabinets, Inc. who took home $400 and business resources valued at $3,500, which was provided by The South Bay Entrepreneurial Center.

South Bay Cabinets was made up of CSUDH business majors Eduardo More, Rico Lopez and Robert Gomez. The company was started by another individual in 1995 and was bought by Mora’s father in 2002. When the three friends began working for the company, they noticed the company was making solid profits, even during the most recent recession. However,

the company seemed to operate on the fly.

Through the Toro Tank event, the group hoped to restructure their business and marketing plans and make day-to-day operations run more efficiently.

South Bay Cabinetry makes high-quality cabinets for low prices. They focus on kitchen cabinets; however, can make many other carpentry objects.

During the presentation the three

business majors claimed they could beat their competitors who sell pre-made common-designed cabinets by selling customized quality cabinets to create “your dream kitchen.”

They tested the quality of their work by having a member of the group stand on top of one of their cabinet drawers.

The winners were pleased with the results of the competition.

“We are honored, surprised and excited all at the same time,” said Robert Gomez, South Bay Cabinets. “We actually joined late but worked long hours and late nights, which seems to have paid off.”

Fall 2014 Toro Tank CompetitionBY SCOTT RYCHLIKCSUDH Bulletin Online Staff Writer

“We are honored, surprised

and excited all at the same time”


Biannual competition gives aspiring entrepreneurs resources to succeed.

A company specializing in the safety of electricians was the grand prize winner at this week’s Toro Tank competition.

This was the second such competition at California State University Dominguez Hills. It is based on the popular TV reality show, Shark Tank. Here, students, staff, faculty and the community can audition, pitch their inventions and ideas and have the chance to win prizes and business support.

About 25 people attended the presentations. The event was two hours long. The six judges included Chair of the Marketing Department Professor Thomas James Norman, Associate Professor in Marketing Kirti Sawhney Celly, both from CSUDH, and others from the community who also have professional backgrounds in entrepreneurship and marketing.

Seven business ideas were

presented and there were three winners. Each presenter had eight minutes First place won $500, second place $300 and third $200. All winners will receive free consults with judges to help grow their business ideas.

The winning project was Smart CSM, founded by Craig Caryl and Tyson Schilz. The cloud-based data system stores critical information from electrical outlets and panels. It’s a new way to control the monitor’s status from the anywhere there is internet access. The program also helps protects electricians working with electrical fuse boxes, outlets or panels from suffering injuries or possibly dying.

Second place went to entrepreneurship and marketing senior Jaesen Alfassa, who has come up with Silent 2 Sounds.The device is both earphones and earplugs.

Third place went to Physics Professor Claudio Egalon who has developed Science and Sensors Technology. This device measures

the contaminants in fluids using optical fibers. Eglon’s device measures the most samples than any other device in the market.

The audience voted along with the panel of judges, though the outcome was different. In first place was Alfassa, followed by Caryl and Schilz tying with Alina Ugas with The Final Step, facilities that would help people with alcohol problems.

The Toro Tank was led by Executive Director the Entrepenuerial Inistitute College of Business Administration and Public Policy Mike Grimshaw and took place at 1 p.m. April 15 in the Loker Student Union.

Spring 2015 Toro Tank CompetitionBY JOCELYNE SALCIDOCSUDH Bulletin Online Staff Writer


Getting the Word Out

• Create awareness about the opportunities and events at the Entrepreneurial Institute & Entrepreneurial Society/club• Inform target markets about the benefits of taking advantage of our resources and network.• Benefits of participating in Campus Incubator• Possible job opportunities and advice from working professionals.

Goals

• Website: csudhei.org• Social Media• Flyers (Email & Print)• Event Tables• Signs

Connect with the Ei


Target Market• Students of all colleges on campus • CAM- Prestigious local high school engineering campus • Faculty and Staff• Surrounding community of current and aspiring entrepreneurs

www.csudhei.org

2015/16 EventsConnecting Women To Power Conference & Toro Tank

At CSU Dominguez Hills on June 18tt, as part of the Board of Equalization’s Connecting Women to Power Conference, the Ei will provide Toro Tank Bootcamps and a competition to interested attendees. Participants will have the chance to audition, pitch their business idea, and win access to funding and business resources that could help turn their dream into a million dollar reality. For more information about the event please visit csudhei.org.

a Keynote Speaker “Why Innovation Matters” to kick-off the

Entrepreneur Expo!

MAJOR SPONSOR NAME & LOGO GOES HERE

MAJOR SPONSOR

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

FOR FUTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:

Gary Polk SBEC Executive Director:

[email protected] Pat Sandt, Programs Coordinator:

[email protected]

GET INVOLVED & MAKE AN IMPACT!

• SBEC Pitch Tank Competition

• Morning Panelists will then shift gears and

become judges for our SBEC Pitch Tank Day!

• The Business Plan Pitch competition

• South Bay Schools • All Torrance High & Middle Schools

•• Hawthorne High School • Prizes over $26,000 in SBEC scholarships

• 200 people to attend

SBEC PITCH TANK COMPETITION

• Showcasing 5 innovative companies.

• Panel interview with innovative people

• Learn how to be innovative• Learn how to run an innovative business

• Learn how to achieve your American Dream

• Meet & greet successful entrepreneurs

• 200 people to attend• 200 people to attend

INNOVATION PANEL

Toyota Meeting Hall, Torrance Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Gen Z = STEM + Entrepreneur

Empowering innovation & entrepreneurship

in our community & our youth

Inaugural “Innovation Matters”Entrepreneur Expo & SBEC “PitchTank” Competition

At Toyota Meeting Hall on November 19th, the South Bay Entrepreneurial Center will host a variety of speakers including an Innovation Keynote Speaker and panel of South Bay Entrepreneurs. As part of the event the SBEC will also provide a Pitch Tank Competition for South Bay students with prizes and resources valued over $26,000!

Fall 2015• Incubator• 6 Workshops • Green Business • Plan Competition• Guest Speakers (4)• Innovation Matters/SBEC• LAEDC Campus Event (Oct)• Enactus Leadership Conference (Riverside)• Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov)

Spring 2016 • Incubator• 4 Workshops• Student Research Day• Pitch Boot Camps & Auditions• Toro Tank Competition• Enactus Regional Competitions (Anaheim)• Babson Entrepreneurship Research Conference (June/Norway)

annualreport (7)

Documents

ei incubator

ei annual report

incubator hours

incubator clients

incubator cost

business ideas

entrepreneurial major

things entrepreneurial