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The Entreperneurship Challenge

Challenging our Youth to Challenge Themselves

To become a successful entrepreneur requires a solid education in numerous areas of business not being taught throughout much of our educational system. And as successful entrepreneurs know only too well, things can be tough when one decides to go into business for themselves because our educational systems don't teach things like how to build a business plan, marketing plan, do market research and a number of other things most entrepreneurs have to learn the hard way.

There are numerous other obstacles to deal with in becoming an entrepreneur, not the least of which is the naysayer friend, relative or even a loved one an aspiring entrepreneur is likely to be viewed by as; a risk taker, idealist or god forbid a dreamer. You know; that guy with pie in the sky thinking.

It can be even harder on younger men and women who have dreams of striking out on their own, determined to become a successful entrepreneur. But now, maybe more than ever before in the history of this great country, it has become an absolute necessity to train our next generation of business leaders in the skills of entrepreneurship.

Here at EOC we live, breathe, and sleep entrepreneurship. We are extremely fortunate to be associated with so many highly successful entrepreneurs; due on large part to Dale's live weekly small business radio talk show, (also known as Entrepreneurs On Call or EOC).

Dale interviews successful entrepreneurs, authors, and national speakers of the highest caliber every week who share excellent information with Dale's aspiring entrepreneur listeners. Dale has interviewed the likes of Loral Langemeier, Bob Proctor, Michael Gerber, Dan Kennedy, Jill Lublin John Milton Fogg, Art Jonak, Chet Holmes and many more.

We have been very fortunate in having been mentored by a number of the guests Dale has had on his show. So much so in fact; both Dale and I have talked several times about how, "If we only new at 20 years old or 18 or maybe even younger and knew what we know now, we could have been enjoying our current success much earlier in life. We also would not have spent so many years working at a J.O.B. (Just Over Broke).

We believe there is a paradigm shift under way in this country. It is a return to entrepreneurship. Whether out of necessity or just more people being driven to succeed on their own, all the indicators point to this country again building toward an explosion of the entrepreneurial spirit, the likes of which this country has never seen before.

Our new President, Barak Obama has delivered a challenge to us all to be of service in any way we can. Investing time into developing the minds of the youth of this country has always paid big dividends to future generations in this country. When we as a country have gotten lax about education, we suffer the consequences as a people; just as we are now. Our education system is not and has not been for some time what it once was - The best education system in the world. It's time to challenge ourselves to rectify that situation.

The Idea For The "Entrepreneurship Challenge" is born:

It was after Dale's interview with Troy McClain, (Of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" T.V. Show fame), that during their conversation regarding this upcoming entrepreneurial explosion, the idea for the Entrepreneurship Challenge idea reached critical mass for Dale. Though he didn't mention it to Troy at the time, Dale committed to himself to do what he could to to inspire and prepare at least some of the youth in his local area to become entrepreneurs. It seems we've found ourselves in a unique position to allow young aspiring entrepreneurs to benefit from not just our knowledge, but that of the guests on Dale's shows as well.

It Is Incumbent upon Those with the Knowledge to Prepare Those Without

Times have changed. Dale and I can both remember a time when working for a 20 or 30 years was common place. Those days have faded into distant history. Jobs are tougher to come by, (Especially now). Middle management, college educated "Employees" have for several years moved to a new company about every 2 to 3 years. However 2 to 3 years will undoubtedly increase to 3 to 5 years as we move through this recession with unemployment continuing to grow. Therefore with jobs becoming scarcer and employees staying longer in their current positions, it is even more important to prepare our young adults to have the option to strike out on their own with solid foundation of entrepreneurial education, skills developed from practical application.

Once Dale had made up his mind to move ahead with the "Entrepreneurship Challenge", he met with the Director of the college, John Meehl and Dr.Tom Lix, the visiting professor of entrepreneurship at Lake Erie College. The University has a Center for Entrepreneurship. In fact; Lake Erie College is one of the few in the country that actually has a degree available in Entrepreneurship.

The three met and discussed how the kind of "Entrepreneurship Challenge" Dale was proposing, could be something that would not only bring more awareness to the need for our young people to hone their entrepreneurial skills, but also let more students know what the university had to offer in the way of education for aspiring entrepreneurs. It was decided to promote the "Entrepreneurship Challenge" at the high school level using the Lake Erie College facilities.

So we've decided to challenge young adults and in some cases their educators to break from the status quo thinking of, "Here's what you need to know to get a good paying job", and instead embrace the kind of education that exercises our young adult's dreams of becoming successful in their chosen area of interest, as an independent business person.

Dale has reached an agreement with Lake Erie College to initiate the first Entrepreneurship Challenge. To participate in the challenge a student will develop a business model and submit a business plan. They will select a product or service and then support why they have selected it, what purpose it serves or solution it offers to in the marketplace and how they plan on making it a profitable venture in what period of time.

This is our second year conducting the Entrepreneurs Challenge. Last year was the first year we issued the Entrepreneurship Challengd and had 4 schools participate. The event was fantastic for students and faculty and proud parents.

Scholarship Awards for the 2010 Entrepreneurship Challenge

This year the event is growing and Lake Erie College is offering $2500.00, $1000.00 and $500.00 in scholarship awards.

Dale is working with the newly appointed Executive Director of Entrepreneurship and Leadership development Mr Cliff Somerville for the planning and logistics.

Dale's say's "Cliff's worldly business savvy and experience is incredible. Every time I get together with Cliff, even as a veteran entrepreneur, I am learning something new". Imagine the impact he is having on the students on a daily basis".

The student's projects are due Feb. 8th. The judging will take place the week of Feb. 16th. 5 finalists will be chosen and present their plans at Lake Erie College Feb. 25. The top level award will be a new lap top computer. These dates coincide with National Entrepreneurship Week Feb. 21-28 2010.

Our vision is to make The Entrepreneurship Challenge a National Event. Once we have completed the first challenge, we hope to hear from community service oriented entrepreneurs from any community anywhere in the U.S.A. that has a burning desire to help strengthen the future back bone of this nation; small business entrepreneurs.

We look forward to providing realistic options and guidance to young entrepreneurs who are up to the challenge.

Here's hoping you will have a productive and prosperous 2009.

Sincerely,

Mike Claggett - Operations Manager
www.EntrepreneursOnCall.com

P.S.

To find out more about how your high school student and their school can participate in the Entrepreneurship Challenge, Please complete the form below. Dale will contact you during the following business day:

 Entrepreneurship Challenge Inquiry From - PARNETS & FACULTY ONLY 

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