Welcome!
Our program focuses on the key principles of Entrepreneurship. Our goal is to instill an Entrepreneurial Vision and Desire, which will provide members with the ability to recognize opportunities, make informed decisions and have their dream become a reality.
We provide the essential knowledge and skills to enable budding entrepreneurs to grow their business and successfully establish their new venture.
Throughout the year, students participate in various activities that provide real-world exposure to the day-to-day operations of American businesses.
SIFE Competition April 2, 2012
Students in Free Enterprise, or SIFE, is an international organization devoted to teaching others about the free enterprise system. Each spring, SIFE teams across the country convene in regional competitions, delivering project presentations before a panel of distinguished business executives. 2012 marks the twenty-first year CVCC SIFE has engaged in competition. This year’s team members are Tim Abernethy, Roberta Handlin, Joann Testerman, and Katherine Yang. Out of approximately 350 SIFE teams competing nationwide, only twenty-eight are from community colleges, so please cheer for our team as they try to “beat the odds” against major universities such as Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Georgia Tech at the SIFE Regional Competition in Atlanta, Georgia on April 2!
For more information regarding Students In Free Enterprise, please see www.sifeusa.org.
CVCC “Shark Tank” Contestant 2012
Be the next CVCC "Shark Tank" Contestant
For more information, contact gmuller@cvcc.edu
Entrepreneurship Speakers’ Forum March ’12
Celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week, guest panelists included Shane Cooper, founder and chief executive officer of DeFeet International; David Washco, founder of GoPriceDrive.com and ’11 Edison Prize Winner; Scott Millar, president of the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation; Danny Hearn, president of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce; and Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, president of CVCC.
2011 CVCC Shark Tank Event was a Big Success for Students, College and the Community
We were very pleased with the response to our first event. We had over 30 people present business ideas, which were evaluated and a group of 16 were asked to make a 3-5 minute elevator pitch to our business faculty. The faculty panel selected the finalists as well as our Faculty Champion and a Youth Champion.
On April 20th, the finalists made a presentation to a panel of key business leaders in our community. We had 7 student finalists, who made presentations and answered questions fron our panel. All of our finalists made outstanding presentations and we believe will be successful in starting their proposed businesses.
The competition was very strong and the final results were very close.
Our first CVCC Shark Tank champion is Kim Kelley and her Edible Landscaping business. Kim was presented with a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship to CVCC.
Our first runner-up was Kristen Bearfield of KB Photography. Kristen was presented with a plaque and a $700 scholarship.
Our second runner-up was Karen Cooper of Monumental Floral. Karen was presented with a plaque and a $300 scholarship.
Our scholarships were made possible by the sponsorship of our Shark Tank by Peoples Bank. The scholarships were presened by Tony Wolfe, president of Peoples Bank.
February 07, 2011 Minutes
2011 School Year Upcoming Activities
– Club Sponsored Business Presentations & Meetings
- Feb 7th - Financial Forecasting of a Business
- April 7th – BLT Speaker – Clyde Parker
- CVCC’s “Shark Tank” Competition
- CVCC & Community Promotion
– New Student Center Grand Opening on February 15th
- Key Chains Giveaway
– Banners & T Shirts
- Club Website – CVEEC.com
– Business Directory
– National Entrepreneurship Week February 19-26, 2011
- Speakers Forum
– “Students in Free Enterprise” activity in April
– Possible Field Trip to Washington in May 2011
January 31st Club Minutes
– Club Sponsored Business Presentations
- Jan 31st - Business Plan Overview
- Feb 7th - Financial Forecasting of a Business
- CVCC’s “Shark Tank” Competition
- CVCC & Community Promotion
– New Student Center Grand Opening on February 15th
- Candy Promotion of Club & Shark Tank
– Banners & T Shirts
- Club Website – CVEEC.com
– Business Directory
– National Entrepreneurship Week February 19-26, 2011
- Speakers Forum
- Hickory Community Theater Focus Group Project
– “Students in Free Enterprise” activity in April
– Possible Field Trip to Washington in May 2011
December 2, 2010
2010-11 Early Activities
- September 16th Inter-Club Council Meeting
- September 22nd Fall Fling Cleanup
- September 23rd Club Presidents Meeting
- October 5th “Have a Dog with the Big Dawg”
– November 4th “ Master the Marketing Plan” Talk
2010-2011 School Year Upcoming Activities (Gary/Scott)
- Club Website – CVEEC.com
– Business Directory
– Facebook – Future Project
– Banners & T Shirts
– National Entrepreneurship Week February 19-26, 2011
- Speakers Forum
– Community & CVCC Entrepreneurs Recognition Program
– Possible Field Trip to Washington in March 2011
– Hickory Community Theater Focus Group Project
– Raleigh Field Trip on January 27th with Christy Land’s Group
- CVCC’s “Shark Tank” Competition
– “Students in Free Enterprise” – SIFE joint activity in the
Spring of 2011
- Student Candy Promotion of Club & Shark Tank – December
October 7, 2010
2010-11 Early Activities (Gary/Scott)
– September 16th Inter-Club Council Meeting
New Students Center & Club Budgets
September 22nd Fall Fling Cleanup
- October 5th “Have a Dog with the Big Dawg”
– September 23rd Club Presidents Meeting
– Club Website cveec.com
– Banners & T Shirts
– TV Screens Announcements
2010-2011 School Year Upcoming Activities (Gary/Scott)
– CVCC’s “Shark Tank” Competition
National Entrepreneurship Week February 19-26, 2011
Possible Schedule and Sponsors
– Possible Field Trip to Washington/New York in March 2011
– “Students in Free Enterprise” – SIFE joint activity in the
Spring of 2011
– Fall Meeting on Patents and Trademarks Issues
SGA Activities Overview – Melissa
Best Meeting Times & e mail Addresses
Shark Tank Presentation Hints & Guidelines
Catawba Valley Community College
“Shark Tank”
Presentation Hints & Guidelines
The purpose of out Shark Tank business sales pitch is to convey a simple understanding of our business or product concept in a short period of time (3-5 minutes).
The key items to be covered in the presentation are as follows:
- Provide a brief summary of the basic premise of the business or product concept.
- Describe why the idea is special and/or important.
- Describe the innovative way the idea solves a problem or serves a need.
- Describe the competitive environment.
- Identify the potential target market.
- Outline the risks and rewards of the business.
- Highlight the way the business will be marketed.
- Provide background and talents of the presenter and their ability to develop the business idea into a successful business.
- Conclude with a “Call fo Action” for assistance in the form of an investment, marketing or production support and/or a mentor as well as a proposal to the potential investor for the support of the business idea.
** CVCC’s Entrepreneurship & Business Faculty will assist the presenters with their Business Sales Pitch.
** For more information, please contact Gary Muller at (828-327-7000 Ext 4672).
August 25, 2010 Minutes
Emerging Entrepreneurs Club
August 25, 2010 Meeting
We had a very good first meeting, in which we discussed a lot different topics. Below is a brief overview of our meeting.
- Review of 2009-10 School Activities
- “The Call of Entrepreneur” Movie Presentation
- Entrepreneurs Speaker Forum
- Atlanta Field Trip
Chick -fil-a, CNN, Federal Reserve & Coke Tours
- CVCC Fast Track Presentation
- Charlotte “Shark Tank” Event
- Discussion of Possible 2010-2011 School Year Activities
- Possible Club Projects
- CVCC’s “Shark Tank” October & November Events
- National Entrepreneurship Week – February 19-26, 2011Activities
- Speakers’ Forum or “Expanded Shark Tank Event” Possibility
- “Students in Free Enterprise” – SIFE joint activity in the spring
- Potential Company Tours & Field Trips
- Dewey’s Bakery
- Midtown Cafe
- Ben & Jerry’s
- Eventsys – A think tank for inventors and entrepreneurs
- Spring Trip to Washington and/or New York
- Club Website Development
We are very fortunate to have several Web Design majors in our club and they have created our first website, which will be a great way to communicate to our club members and others CVCC interested in our activities. The website is cveec.com. Thanks for the great effort!!!
- Melissa Castillo provided a Student Government Assn Update
- Gary Muller is preparing a proposed Club Funding Request,
which is due by September 3rd.
– Gary M to attend the September 16th Advisors Inter-Club Meeting
- Scott M and/or Melissa to attend the September 23rd Inter-Club
Council Meeting for Students Presidents.
- Jeremy Huff requested that we have someone talk to our club
On Trademark and Patent issues. Gary M. talked to Jeff Penley
(CVCC Business Law Instructor and attorney) and he has agreed
to meet with our club.
Jeff has also agreed to coordinate a SIFE club spring presentation,
if our club decides to participate.
- CVCC Shark Tank Event Focus
- Sal Adkins and Gary M meeting on August 31st regarding the Club
T shirt
- Jill Peacock, Melissa, Sal, Sharon Downs, Dan S.,Tony Mifsud,
and Tammy and Gary Muller will meet on August 31st at 2pm
on planning promotion and organization of this fall’s event. All Club
members are invited if it fits their class schedule.
- Thanks to Lindsay Culver (Club member) and her employer Papa’s
Who have supplies pizza the last two meetings. Also, thanks to Donna
Neff and Tammy Muller, who supplied sweets for the last two
meetings.
- 2010-11Club Officers
President – Scott Malouin
Vice President – Donna Neff
Treasurer – Salvatore Atkins
Secretary – Jo Bayliss
