The top official at the U.S. Small Business Administration will kick off a tour of college campus discussions on entrepreneurship at George Washington next week.
Administrator Karen Mills, the Obama administration’s top small business adviser, will speak and participate in a question-and-answer session with GW alumni and entrepreneurs Bo Davis, B.A. ’97, and Amit Kapoor, B.S. ’02, M.S. ’04, at the Jack Morton Auditorium Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. Tickets are free and available online. The event will also stream live here.
Ms. Mills plans to highlight the resources available for those who want to start a business. The Small Business Administration provides budding entrepreneurs with financial assistance, facilitates government contracting work and offers counseling and training opportunities. Mr. Davis, a technology and restaurant entrepreneur, and Mr. Kapoor, who has experience as a government contractor, will be able to provide insight into the many opportunities available to entrepreneurs.
“We’re looking to let students know that entrepreneurship is an exciting career alternative, and that it’s something that there’s a lot of assistance for,” said Jim Chung, director of the Office of Entrepreneurship, who will moderate the event. “It’s not something they have to do alone.”
College campuses are the perfect place for these discussions, said Fred Baldassaro, assistant administrator for communications and public liaison for the Small Business Administration. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs,” he said.
And GW’s students, faculty and alumni are an especially motivated group, interested in public service and effecting positive change.
“One way a grad student can go out and make a difference is go out on their own with an idea they can change the world with,” Mr. Baldassaro said.
Now is a particularly apt time for discussions on how to start a business; they’re key job creators, and the economy and jobs are among the highest priorities on Capitol Hill.
“Entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly important part of the economy,” said Mr. Chung.