Entrepreneurial spirit at EMU

By Christine Laughren
Feb. 12, 2009    ·    11:56 a.m.

Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business is playing host to the Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference this Friday at the EMU Student Center.

All EMU faculty, staff and students are invited to attend, as well as community college and high school students and faculty that have curriculum centered on entrepreneurship.

Conference Facilitator Paul Nucci said the event, formerly known as the CEO Conference, has changed in recent years. He said the conference now caters to younger entrepreneurs as opposed to those just involved in The Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, the local EMU chapter of the national CEO.

“Our conference is really about motivating and getting that entrepreneurial spirit in the kids at an early stage,” Nucci said.

Robert Sullivan, President and CEO of The Wireless Source, Inc. in Auburn Hills will give the keynote address.

Sullivan holds a BBA from EMU and is a former CEO Club member. Since 1995, The Wireless Source has been developing and implementing a portfolio of cell phone collection operations and services that provide solutions to the wireless industry by integrating the needs of business and the environment.

"The Sesi conference is not only a great venue to hear about the successes and struggles of entrepreneurs, but it also provides the opportunity for students across the community to reach out and support the next generation.” said Dan Marvin, president of the CEO Club at EMU.

Other speakers and panelists scheduled to appear include Bená Burda of Maggie’s Organics in Ypsilanti, Steve Greenhall, attorney at law for small businesses, and Peter Rinehart, owner of Bombadill’s Café in Ypsilanti and chair of the Downtown Development Authority.

“The speakers run the gamut, from the big guy corporation to smaller mom and pop shops and one lady trying to do something eco friendly,” Nucci said.

Nucci also said there would be information on financing and other technical aspects of running a business.

Also part of the conference is the EMU Business Plan Competition as high school and university/community college students compete for cash prizes totaling more than $5,000.

In 2008, a team from EMU claimed the top prize for the university category while a sophomore from Ann Arbor Huron took first prize in the high school category.

The sophomore created a business plan called “Green Light,” in which he walked around neighborhoods replacing old light bulbs with new energy efficient bulbs.

This year approximately 100 business plans have been turned in.

The conference was recently endowed by a grant from the family of the late Catherine Sesi. Catherine and Joseph Sesi were loyal EMU supporters for nearly three decades and owners of the Sesi Lincoln Mercury dealerships in Ypsilanti. Joseph was an EMU alumnus as are nephews, Lamar and Joseph Jr., who now runs the dealership.

Nucci said the conference is more than just information; it’s a celebration.

“In these economic times we have to celebrate our success its more about motivating people to say ‘you can do this,’ ” he said.

Citizen Information

The event is free but registration is required. Click here to register or visit the Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern Michigan University online or call Paul A. Nucci at (734) 487-0902 for details.

The Student Center is located at 900 Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Networking along with a continental breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by opening remarks. Two breakout sessions highlight the conference with a question and answer segment following each speaker. A sit-down lunch follows and the conference concludes with the keynote speaker.