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L
to R: Wes Gipe, founder of Agil IT; Greg Smith, President of Energy
Optimizers, USA
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Local Businessmen to
be Featured Speakers at Business Boot Camp
Edison Community College...
Two area businessmen from Miami County will be the featured speakers at
“Growing Entrepreneurs,” a two-day boot camp for aspiring and emerging
entrepreneurs. The event is on Friday, April 20 from noon – 6:00 pm and
Saturday, April 21 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at Edison Community College.
Wes Gipe, founder of Agil IT, and Greg Smith, President of Energy
Optimizers USA, both based in Troy, will each speak at luncheons during
the boot camp.
Gipe is listed as “Fearless Leader” on the company website and will
open the boot camp at the noon luncheon on Friday, April 20. Gipe has
more than ten years in the information technology industry. His insight
regarding the leadership and management challenges small business
owners face is invaluable.
“The folks attending this event should be prepared to think,” Gipe
stated. “Agil IT has had peaks and valleys in its twelve-year journey
from $500 and a high school dream to its place among the top 100
Healthcare IT companies in the countries. We’ll talk about the
successes, the less-than-successes, the outright failures, and why you
should never, ever give up.”
Greg Smith, President of Energy Optimizers USA, also based in Troy,
will speak at the luncheon on the second day, Saturday, April 21.
Smith’s business has grown to 19 associates in the three years the
company has been in business. With issues that revolve around business
start-up so fresh in his mind, Smith will share the lessons he has
learned and how he and his company have achieved success.
Shirley Moore, Dean of Business and Workforce Development at Edison
explained the need for the boot camp. “Sometimes workforce development
means helping entrepreneurs start and grow new businesses. When those
businesses are successful, local jobs for others are created. We were
excited to receive a Coleman Foundation grant as a springboard to fund
our Growing Entrepreneurs workshop. We plan on continuing to support
entrepreneurship in our communities with future events.”
The cost to attend “Growing Entrepreneurs” is $59, which includes all
meals and materials. “The 9 Super Simple Steps to Entrepreneurial
Success,” written by Martin Grunder of Grunder Landscaping in Dayton,
will also be given to each participant. For more information or to
register, go to www.edisonohio.edu/training, and then click on Growing
Entrepreneurs or call Helen Willcox (937) 778-7864.
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