BNC Entrepreneur Event - February 10, 2010

Have you recently started or thought about a small buisness?

Join us for the next BNC Entrepreneur panel discussion in which we will feature 4 entrepreneurs: owner of business built ground up, buyer of an established business, franchise owner, and a young serial entrepreneur.

They will share with you how they got started, the challenges they faced, how they financed their business, some of the advantages/disadvantages of the type of business they own as well as where they get the support they need.

Find out what it takes to run your own small business and get motivated to make 2010 the year where your business takes off.

Panelists:

A marketing/advertising professional for more than 25 years, Pattie Cagney Sheehan's last corporate position was VP, Director of Client Service for an ad agency. Laid off in 2004, she opened March Forth Consulting specializing in branding and product positioning. In 2005 her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. For the next 2 years Pattie focused on her mother and when she died in 2007, Pattie identified a career opportunity she never anticipated. Making a major career shift, at this stage of life, would be challenging, exhilarating and definitely a learning experience. But since 2008 Pattie has operated Second Act, the only cancer recovery boutique in downtown Chicago specializing in individuals who have undergone breast surgery and chemotherapy; selling wigs, post-breast surgery prostheses and mastectomy bras under one roof.

Donald R. Strzepek is a true Chicagoan. He attended Lane Technical High School and graduated from DePaul University of Chicago with a double major in English and Communication. Mr. Strzepek has over 25 years of experience in both business and education. Mr. Strzepek earned a gemologist degree in 1993 from the Gemological Institute of America and purchased The Tucker Company when the previous owner decided to retire. The Tucker Company is one of Chicago’s oldest diamond and fine Jewelry houses and located in Jewlery Row. Mr. Strzepek has also served on the Board of The Chicago Jewelers Association.

Priscilla Taylor spent over twenty years in corporate life in the field of Product and Research Development. Specifically, Priscilla and her team were responsible for developing personal care products for global distribution. After being downsized back in 2006, she sought opportunities that would provide a source of income, utilize her existing skills and put her in firm control of her own future. A chance meeting with a Franchise Consultant introduced her to entrepreneurship and opened the door to franchise ownership. Today Priscilla owns and operates a Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies franchise, a Hawaiian-themed retail store located in the West Loop.

Chris Campbell is a young serial entrepreneur who has successfully started, sold and grown several companies. He won DePaul's Entrepreneur of the year award while attending DePaul University. His current projects include Green Werks, an eco-friendly home remodeling company and Lakeshore Branding, an Internet marketing agency in Chicago. Chris currently advises 5 start up companies and has worked as a marketing consultant for brands like Dell, Gortex, Jamba Juice and even professional sports teams like the Chicago Bears.

Moderator:

After an "uncomfortable" career in the corporate world, Raman Chadha found his life's calling. Raman started his own consultancy and in eight years, he worked with more than 200 early-stage and growing firms, in areas such as strategic planning and growth management. In 2002, Raman began teaching entrepreneurship at DePaul as an adjunct professor, and was then was asked to lead the Coleman Entrepreneur Center in early 2004. Since then, he has helped guide the Center's strategic direction, develop its programs, and build the spokes that now represent the Coleman Center community. He continues to teach in DePaul's highly-ranked entrepreneurship program, bringing his experience, energy, and enthusiasm to the next generation of entrepreneurs. He earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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