news letter - wilkes university...growing startup company. at the spring 2017 kirby lecture, we had...

2017 Spring & Summer EditionAPKCFEE NEWSLETTER

N E W S L E T T E RS P R I N G & S U M M E R E D I T I O N V O L . 2

Vol. 2

Kirby Lecture Series: An Evening of Insights with Steve Forbes

The Tradition of the APKCFEE Leather Jackets

An interesting case in the world of Intellectual Properties and professional basketball

Client Spotlight: Danielle Mimms, The Bearded Ladies & Co.

Scholar Spotlight: Cassidy Clement, Business Scholar

WHAT’S INSIDE: Looking To The Future:APKC Basement RenovationsWritten by Courtney McMonagle

The Center is hoping to renovate its basement in the near future. It would be the main workplace for the Kirby Scholars and graduate students, with eleven desks in total, a kitchenette, a half bath, and a seating area for Scholars to meet with each other or with clients. The Center is also hoping to install another entrance point into the basement so the Scholars can still get in and out of the building after hours. The basement would also have new faux wood, “water-friendly” floors, new ceiling tiles, and recessed LED lighting. The supporting brick wall down the middle of the building would be exposed to show the beautiful history of the Center.

The APKCFEE wants to create for its Scholars a beautiful, comfortable place to work, where they can feel at home and create a culture of camaraderie and friendship between them. Scholar activity has picked up in the last year, with now about a dozen Scholar positions occupied by Wilkes University students. The Kirby Scholar Program had only one or two Scholars when the programs began. “We’ve outgrown what we’ve had before,” says Assistant Director Charles Pierce. The renovations are needed to create a larger workplace for the growing Scholar Program, a space that they can call their own, and create a culture unique to the Center and to the Program.

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Photo provided by Wilkes University Marketing

2017 Spring & Summer EditionAPKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 2

A Letter FromThe DirectorWritten by Dr. Rodney Ridley


In recent days, based on numerous opportunities and challenges, I have been contemplating the future of the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. More specifically, is its evolution and the potential catalyst it can be for an economic revolution in the NEPA region. In July 2014, I was given the distinct honor to shape APKCFEE’s direction and future – “the evolution of the Center.” As Dr. Leahy coined, “Our goal is simple: to have the same relative impact on our community as the great research universities of the country have on their communities.” While it is still early, we are on the cusp of seeing that vision take hold. Even though we were established in 1993, this ‘new’ Kirby Center is going through the same specific challenges that are related to running a rapidly growing startup company.

At the spring 2017 Kirby Lecture, we had the honor of spending time with and hearing from Steve Forbes. His magazine published an article entitled, “Watch Out for the Five Hazards of Growing Too Quickly”. I have paraphrased the five hazards outlined which are: 1) Don’t misunderstand your finances, 2) Don’t think that growth is everything, 3) Hire the right people, 4) Don’t lose touch with your customers, and 5) Cash in hand is more important than “accounts receivable.” We are currently experiencing and navigating our way through these exact challenges. As the article points out, none of these issues are related to the intelligence of the business leadership team, but they require a balance between growing the company aggressively and prudently. Most entrepreneurs’ under-estimate how difficult it is to grow a company well. Growth is terrific, but good, sustainable growth is the true goal. As obvious as this may sound, it’s quite often missed; however, it is APKCFEE’s current focus.

The good news in APKCFEE’s case is we believe we are managing our growth in a sustainable manner. This is tangibly being seen by the significant impact APKCFEE is beginning to have on our community and the University. For example, our Kirby Scholars Program is being nationally recognized for its distinctive and impactful experiential learning opportunity for students. Our technology transfer activities are also being

recognized nationally for our unique, efficient and effective operations, despite our relatively small structure. We have interacted with more than 70 businesses that came to us with virtually no advertising. We have grown our mentor network to support our business interaction efforts and Kirby Scholars Program. We have created an APKCFEE Sustainability Committee to receive “thought” leadership from some of our community’s outstanding executive business leaders. Our Allan P. Kirby Enterprise Center has been added to the Ben Franklin Technology Partners Business Incubator Network, one of the largest incubator networks in the country. We have a fully operational Microgrant fund designed to get resources to very early stage (pre-revenue) ventures to enhance their likelihood of success. We have established precedential partnerships with several institutions. This includes the launch of Wilkes-Barre “Connect,” which is designed to create a fully functional entrepreneurial ecosystem in NEPA. The Connect program includes the Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative, called “Honor,” which is designed to enhance and support military veterans’ entrepreneurship regionally.

As someone once said, “the only constant in life is change.” As executive director, it is clear to me that how “change” is managed is the key. With tremendous opportunity, combined with operational and other challenges before us, it is imperative we manage this correctly. Fortunately, we have a strong team, tremulous university and community support, as well as a strong foundation and founding principles. Therefore, I am confident we will, in time, evolve APKCFEE into the effective catalyst that will help transform this region and possibly impact the nation and maybe even the world.

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SPRING 2017KIRBY SCHOLARS BY DEPARTMENT

UPCOMINGCOMMUNITY

EVENTS

Leather Jackets:A Tradition at the APKCFEE


Written by Annelise Przywara & Taylor Ryan

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The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship values many aspects of tradition, achievement, and professional excellence. One of the most spotlighted components of the Center is the Scholar Program. This program has generated great outcomes for the Center and the clients who have come to depend on the talents and skills the scholars offer.

As any tradition, it must start somewhere. Back when the Scholar Program first began, the quest to find something, unique and preferably material that would entice students to work towards becoming apart of this elite group came about. After much discussion with the present scholars, mentors, Executive staff, and the marketing team, it was decided that each Scholar would receive a leather jacket as a symbol of their accomplishments and the hard work invested in the Allan P. Kirby Center. This would allow the scholars to have something that they could wear and value long after graduation in order to remember a part of their time at Wilkes University.

Dr. Rodney Ridley, the Executive Director for the Center, discussed the importance of these leather jackets and the scholars who obtain them. He stated, “The jacket is less about a specific ‘known’ symbol and is an

attempt to create a symbol of the scholars and mentors being ‘the best and brightest’ in their respective fields. The idea is comparable to championship rings in sports and is something that can only be obtained by earning it – you can’t just buy it.”

While the Scholars have become the main priority of recognition during this ceremony, 3-5 current ‘Mentors of the Year’ will also be recognized and receive a leather jacket.

“Mentors of the Year are those mentors who have gone above and beyond to enhance and further APKCFEE’s mission,” according to Dr. Ridley.

This year the tradition will continue, proving to have grown larger and more meaningful over the past few years. It is a unique way to recognize scholars during their time not only at the University, but is a reflection of their work for the APKCFEE. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the graduating seniors will be receive their leather jackets during a small ceremony hosted by the Center, while the underclassmen will receive their jackets at the annual retreat hosted in August.

LEGALCourtney McMonagle

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTMichelle LehmanCassidy Clement

ENTREPRENEURSHIPTaylor Baker

DIGITAL DESIGN & MEDIA ARTJimmy MustoNicole Kutos

COMMUNICATIONSAnnelise PryzwaraTaylor Ryan

ACCOUNTINGKimberly Keller

ENGINEERINGMatthew Miller

INTERNATIONALSaidat Abidemi Sanni

WILKES UNIVERSITY CAREER FAIR4/6 Wilkes Barre, PA

FAMILY BUSINESS ALLIANCE PANEL DISCUSSION4/12 Wilkes Barre, PA

BRIDGES EDUCATION CONFERENCE4/26-4/28 Cape May, NJ


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Kirby Lecture Series:An Evening of Insights with Steve ForbesWritten by Annelise Przywara & Taylor Ryan

Steve Forbes delivered the spring lecture for the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (APKCFEE) on Wednesday, March 1 at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Speaking from his experience as a businessman and entrepreneur, he placed emphasis on the application of knowledge, experimentation, and perseverance as the foundation of free enterprise and entrepreneurship in his lecture titled, “An Evening of Insights with Steve Forbes.”

“Mr. Forbes effectively incorporated the concepts of free enterprise and entrepreneurship throughout his remarks,” said Mr. Jerry Ephault, Executive in Residence at the APKCFEE. “His discussion on topics ranging from health-care reform to tax policy reflected a thorough knowledge of the subject matter with fact based citations. He demonstrated authority and allowed the audience to gain a basis for his positions.”

During Forbes’ visit to Wilkes University, students and faculty were given the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion with Mr. Forbes, as well as share a formal dinner prior to the lecture.

Michelle R. Lehman, Kirby Business Scholar, was the student given the honor of introducing Mr. Forbes to the auditorium full of spectators. She also was one of the students who was fortunate enough to spend much of the day with the distinguished entrepreneur.

“Mr. Forbes was knowledgeable and humble throughout the entire evening,” said Lehman. “During the roundtable discussion he was genuinely interested in our fields of study and our involvement with the University. He joked with the group and found a way to related to every person in the room.”

Forbes was humorous and personable in his delivery, while sporting a brace

to support his healing broken shoulder. Though speaking about very complex economic ideas and concepts, he used everyday examples to relate to the audience. To emphasize the excessiveness of federal government regulations, he employed an example from the FDA, explaining that packaging for assorted nuts must display photos of each nut in descending order according to their size.

“Yes, this is a real rule,” Forbes laughed. “And it really is nuts.”

He went on to discus his hopefulness for the Trump Administration, voicing his strong support of their mission to deregulate the government. This was a topic Forbes spent a good deal of time speaking about and described it as one of the primary ways to reduce big government spending.

“As a student, I left the lecture with new insight on overcoming mistakes and obstacles in life,” said Lehman. “Mr. Forbes shared his experience with the changes he has faced in his career and

advised us to take chances and learn each step of the way.”

In a Q&A session at the conclusion of the lecture, Forbes provided extremely insightful food for thought. He explained that we must view restoring our economy like any other investment and allow it time to grow and prosper.

Forbes was born Morristown, New Jersey and attended Princeton in 1970. He is currently chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media. The company’s primary publication, Forbes, is the nation’s leading business magazine with a circulation of 900,000, reaching more than five million readers worldwide. In addition to print, Forbes.com has become one of the world’s most influential websites with more than 60 million unique visitors a month.

He also writes editorials for Forbes under the heading of “Fact and Comment.” Forbes has received the prestigious Crystal Owl Award four times for the accuracy of his economic forecasts.

Photo provided by Greg Bowser


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Photo provided by Jimmy Musto

Cassidy Clement, Junior Scholar of BusinessWritten by Annelise Przywara

SPRING/SUMMERNEWSLETTER

STAFF

MENTOR SPOTLIGHT:

DON WEBSTER

WRITERSAnnelise PrzywaraCourtney McMonagleMichelle LehmanTaylor Ryan

LAYOUTJimmy MustoNicole Kutos

PHOTOGRAPHYGreg BowserJimmy MustoThe GuardianWilkes University MarketingDanielle Mimms

MANAGEMENTCharles Pierce

“Don Webster is the Executive Director of TecBridge, an organization dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, and the knowledge of the economy in NEPA. Don has provided me with networking opportunities and local internships. He has also connected me to business professionals within the community and high-performing students from Universities in the region.”

-MICHELLE LEHMAN

Cassidy Clement is a Marketing major and Management minor at Wilkes University. She currently works at the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship as a Junior Business Scholar. At the Center she is primarily responsible for business plan assistance, marketing, website analysis, client web marketing and presence strategy, as well as aiding in website features and content for APKCFEE, NeoSerra, and eCenter.Post-graduation her goal is to obtain a position in the field of marketing, preferably one that involves web

development and digital marketing. Cassidy’s dream job would be to work at Google in New York City working in digital marketing, product concepts, or growth marketing. In her free time she enjoys snowboarding and hiking. She also plays the guitar and the drums. When it comes to role models, Cassidy looks up to Amy Poehler because she’s an all-around good person who promotes women by emphasizing intelligence and imagination through her organization, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls.

Scholar Spotlight


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Client Spotlight:Danielle Mimms, The Bearded Ladies & Co.Written by Courtney McMonagle

When asked what her story was behind her company, Danielle Mimms, owner of Bearded Ladies and Company, answered, “I feel as though everything I have experienced, and everyone I have met has prepared me to start a company.” After graduating college from Lycoming College in 2006 with her Bachelors and from Wilkes University in 2008 with her Masters in Education, Mimms worked in the Student Affairs Department at Wilkes University and at Big Ten Subs, which was her family’s restaurant. As years passed, responsibilities and stress grew, and personal time decreased, Mimms eventually (and unsurprisingly) “burned [herself] out.” Mimms left Wilkes and worked at Big Ten Subs for another three years to help her family grow the business to make it prosper. She said she loved what she had done for her parent’s company, but she wanted something more than the restaurant business had to offer. She considered returning to school for higher education, but decided to enter the job market instead. After contemplating what she wanted out of a job that would fulfill her, Mimms started looking for a job that allowed her to be her own boss and create her own schedule, which would allow her to have more personal time to spend with her husband and her dogs. She wanted to travel and meet new people, and make something. In short, she wanted “an upbeat, fun, minimal stress environment” in which to work. It seemed like an easy jump for her then: why not start her own company? The problem then became what kind of company to create. What would she make? What would she sell? Or would she provide a service? If so, what kind of service? The brainstorming process began in earnest. Shortly after, Mimms and her husband were packing up the car to go on a trip. In attempting to fit the dog crate in the car (a common problem if one owns a dog), she “scraped the car, pinched [her] fingers, and scratched the seats.” Frustrated, Mimms thought there must be a better way to fit a crate in the car without ruining the car itself. Inspired by her dogs, Mimms created the TransFurable Traveler. It is a padded carrying case

for a collapsible dog crate. Since it is padded with fabric, it can also double as a dog bed, and the strap for the case can be removed and turned into a dog leash. For further assistance for getting her fledging company ready to fly, Mimms reached out the APKCFEE. The team met with her weekly to be sure she stayed on track on creating a successful company and prototype. They were sure to support Mimms and put her in touch with others to help her prosper, including finding her the assistance to file a provisional patent in May 2016. Thanks to the help of the APKCFEE and all the hard work and creativity from Mimms, her company is indeed beginning to fly. Within the next five years, Mimms hopes to be granted her patent, sell her products as a wholesaler, and perhaps open a Bearded Ladies and Company Retail Boutique on the East Coast. But even to date, she has accomplished great things, and is proud of them. She learned to sew and create her product, as well as run her business herself, which means being the boss, the employee, the marketing department, the website master, the buyer of materials, the seller and shipper of the product, and the customer service department, all rolled into one person. She has attended her first ever pet expo in New Jersey, and has created new products to sell on her online store, which opened in March 2017. With all of her goals and accomplishments, Mimms looks forward to impacting the region. She wanted to give people a “quality USA made product to pet lovers across the globe,” and eventually be in a position to donate her products to dog rescues to use in their foster programs and adoption events. Most inspiring, however, is her desire to be a “resource for other women entrepreneurs.”Danielle Mimms has put a lot of hard work into the Bearded Ladies and Company, and that hard work as paid off. She has built something wonderful from the ground up, and is an inspiration to all around her.

Photo provided by Danielle Mimms

What’s New In The IP World?Written by Courtney McMonagle


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Everyone knows Michael Jordan. He’s the famous retired NBA player. He’s the basketball player who works with Nike on his own brand. But did you know that he was involved in a court case? In 2012, Jordan filed suit to China’s supreme court against Qiaodan Sports in hopes to “revoke the company’s trademarks”, as they were very similar in name and

logo to Nike’s Air Jordan brand here in America. In December of 2016, Jordan won his part of his case. Jordan filed suit in 2012 claiming that the use of his Chinese name on the company’s merchandise was a violation of trademark rights. He had no ties with the company, and they used his Chinese name and a very similar logo on their merchandise without Jordan’s permission. The court ruled that Qiaodan Sports Co had to stop using the Chinese characters to spell “Qiaodan” (which is Jordan’s Chinese name), but could still use the “phonetic spelling of [his] name” but use English letters to do so. The court did not believe this was an infringement of Jordan’s trademark rights. Jordan seemed to be satisfied with the ruling, as it is proof that he is not associated with the Chinese company. Qiaodan Sports Co could not be contacted for a comment about the case, but China still remains a country where intellectual property rights are extremely limited.

Photo provided by The Guardian

Scholar Q&A: Saidat Abidemi SanniThe first International Kirby ScholarQuestions by Taylor Ryan

How did you decide to come to Wilkes as APKCFEE’s International Scholar? I decided to come to Wilkes University because it is a small university where I can have a personal relationship and mentoring from my professors. A university with great opportunities, caring and mentoring culture, and diversity. Being an APKCEE International Scholar would give me a lot of opportunities, exposure, practical experiences, networking and mentoring from professionals outside the classroom. I knew that this would be a very great influence on my career.

What is something you have experienced for the first time being here in Wilkes-Barre? The winter storm “blizzard” that we experienced recently was the first of its kind that I have ever seen. I was so excited, it was all new to me. I got out and took a lot of fascinating pictures that I sent back home to my family.

What are some of your hobbies/interest? I enjoy visiting new places and meeting with people from diverse fields, cultures and backgrounds. Since I got to the U.S., I have also picked up an interest in bowling and I have a lot of fun while at it.

What is your career goal after receiving your MBA? My goal is to pursue my Ph.D. degree upon completion of my MBA.

Being the international scholar, what does your role consist of? As a statistician, I’m a graduate assistant at the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development. My role consists of developing the metrics, carrying out performance surveys, and statistical impact analysis for the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. I also work on other projects at the APKCEE.


Associated Departmental News

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Contact Us

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RODNEY S. RIDLEY SR., PH.D.Executive Director, Distinguished Professor(570) [email protected]

CHARLES J. PIERCEAssistant Director, Adjunct Professor(570) [email protected]

GERALD A. EPHAULTExecutive In Residence, Adjunct Professor(570) [email protected]

LORNA M. GALLIFORDOffice Assistant(570) [email protected]

The Allan P. Kirby Center For Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship65 West South StreetWilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18766

(570) 408-4590 • [email protected]

VISIT WILKES.EDU/KIRBY FOR MORE INFORMATION



Digital Design & Media Art

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Accounting

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The department recently invested in 8 new Mac Pro machines to develop the motion graphics aspect of the Digital Design & Media Art major. These new machines can render video and 3D design at twice the speed of the previous iteration. Also to further assist students with concentrations in 3D and Animation, the department has acquired a Virtual Reality machine in order to fullfil the growing demand for 360 degree experiences in gaming, video, and many other platforms.

The Communication Studies Department is excited to announce that it will be opening the doors to a brand new building in the fall of 2017. For the first time, all co-curricular activities will be located under the same roof. The building will include brand new facilities for a fully equipped television and news room, public relations office, on-air radio studio, and space for the speech and debate team. The unique features of the building will encompass all of the components of being involved with the Communication Studies Department and portray what they have to offer as a major. In time, new faculty and staff will also be welcomed to the Department, as Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall and Mr. Carl Brigido have announced their retirements come the end of the 2017 spring semester.

Dr. Thomas Baldino, a well-known political science professor in his field, was interviewed a number of times as the election in November crept closer. He was featured in a number of articles, some at the regional or state level, others at the national level, and still more at the international level.

Dr. Morgan Clevenger’s new co-edited book, Entrepreneurial Community Development: Leaping Cultural and Leadership Boundaries by Routledge, is due out in April 2017.

During this tax season, students have been participating in VITA. This is an IRS sponsored program at Wilkes that allow students who pass multiple tests, to get experience preparing tax returns and going community service. This event is open to the public, meaning that anyone in the Wilkes-Barre area is welcome to schedule an appointment to get their taxes done.

Wilkes University has received a $3 million matching grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The grant will be used to renovate Stark Learning Center. Renovations will begin in the summer of 2017.

news letter - wilkes university...growing startup company. at the spring 2017 kirby lecture, we had...

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