EntrepreneurshipWeek USA Launched to Educate Next Generation of Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Columbia, Mo., February 12, 2007 — Hundreds of organizations will join in an unprecedented effort to inspire and encourage young people to consider entrepreneurship as a career and to celebrate America's unique culture of inventiveness during EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, Feb. 24 – March 3.

EntrepreneurshipWeek USA will include events and activities in communities across the country to inspire, educate and prepare 14- to- 25-year-olds to be America's next great entrepreneurs and innovators. With the theme, "What's Your Big Idea? Take it On!" the initiative serves as an inspiration for young people to think creatively and turn their ideas into actions – whether that means starting a new business, developing an innovation for an existing company or solving a problem that makes society better. Official events are planned in cities across the county.

EntrepreneurshipWeek USA is sponsored by the Kansas City, Mo.-based Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and by government, not-for-profit organizations and businesses, including the The New York Times, and Inc. magazine. The House of Representatives noted the importance of entrepreneurship by enacting a Resolution (HR 699) in June in support of a national entrepreneurship week.

The Web site, www.EntrepreneurshipWeekUSA.com, is a portal to national events and activities.

EntrepreneurshipWeek in Missouri

Missouri Business Development Program service centers plan special activities in association with EntrepreneurshipWeek USA. Two full- day conferences, one in Columbia and one in Osage Beach, will feature a variety of topics and speakers. The conferences will address issues such as start-up, marketing, human resources, financial management and fraud.

Also, Barry Moltz, sometimes referred to as the "Bill Cosby of small businesses," will be offering his irreverent, humorous and straight talk about the complex intersection of start-up business, financial health, physical well-being, spiritual wholeness and family life in three locations over a two-day period. Moltz debunks the myths of business start-ups by telling the truth: You have to be crazy to start a business.

Listed below are Moltz's sessions and the conference's other Missouri BDP offerings associated with EntrepreneurshipWeek USA:

Rolla
You Have to be Crazy: The Inside Scoop of Starting a Business, Barry Moltz presentation
Feb. 26, noon-1:30 p.m.

Warrensburg
Networking
Feb. 27, 9:30 a.m.
You Have to be Crazy: The Inside Scoop of Starting a Business, Barry Moltz presentation
Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Columbia
You Have to be Crazy: The Inside Scoop of Starting a Business, Barry Moltz presentation
Feb. 26, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Columbia
In Good Company – A Conference for Entrepreneurial Women
Feb. 27, all day event with multiple sessions and speakers

St. Louis
Winning Government Contracts Seminar
Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-noon

St. Louis
Starting a Small Business in St. Louis: The First Steps
Feb. 28, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

St. Louis
Brown Bag lunch Series:
- Empowerment Zone Tax Credits (video presentation)
Feb. 26, noon-1 p.m.
- Show Me the Money: Getting your business financed (video presentation)
March 2, noon-1 p.m.

Osage Beach
2007 Lake Area Business Conference
March 7, all- day event with multiple sessions and speakers

For more information on this or other topics of interest to small business owners and operators visit www.missouribusiness.net or contact the Small Business Development Center nearest you.

This story was featured in the February 2007 newsletter