the visionary

T H E V I S I O N A R Y

SPRING 2016 NEWSLETTER

Vol. 1

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W I L K E S U N I V E R S I T Y

Preservation and Enhancements to the Center

By James Jaskolka

The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship recently underwent a series of renovations to make room for the new business they anticipate in the coming months, while maintaining the building’s original charm and character. While the exterior of the South Street building remains the same, the interior has been fitted with beautiful desks, brand new furniture and state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Rodney Ridley, director of the center, notes that this contrast is intentional. “We want this to be like the White House,” he joked, referencing the building’s historic and charming exterior. “We want it to look like George Washington lives there, but you know that some Tom Cruise, Mission-Impossible-style technology is embedded

in the building and you just can’t tell.” The renovations took place on all three floors of the building, but they are most prevalent on the second floor and in the basement. The basement is home to the Kirby Scholar program, which allows the best and brightest Wilkes University students to oversee and assist local businesses with marketing, accounting, public relations, product development or whatever else they may need. Currently home to the Wilkes University entrepreneurship club, the basement feels comfortable, with new couches and a full kitchen area. It is also equipped with video phones and high-speed internet, ensuring the scholars and mentors can assist their clients to the best of their ability. The second floor was originally meant to be an apartment for the director of the center, but has since

been converted. What used to be a living room is now the center’s mentor lounge, where local professionals can provide guidance to the center’s student scholars. Here, the scholars can meet with judges, accountants and lawyers, among other volunteer mentors, to better learn how to serve the businesses they oversee. The bedrooms of the second floor have been converted into beautiful offices, and a large room at the end of the hall has been made into a conference room, complete with an exquisite conference table and cutting-edge technology like video conferencing. “The goal for us is to always have it be state-of-the-art,” Ridley said. With the renovations finished, Ridley said “the last piece of the official puzzle” is complete, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Kirby Center.

Memorable Mentors:Don Webster Helps to Advance Initiatives

By Justin Topa

Don Webster serves as president of Marathon Strategies, co-chair of TecBridge and as a mentor for the scholars and clients of the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. With more than 30 years of business consultation experience, Webster has been giving back to young and promising entrepreneurs throughout Pennsylvania. He has been a mentor for the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in a number of capacities. “I have had the opportunity to work with both Wilkes students and the Kirby Center leaders on a variety of initiatives,” said Webster. “I love the energy and impact the team is bringing to our region.” Webster credits the center as a driving force behind the advancement

of students and entrepreneurs throughout the region and finds that the opportunities that the center provides separate it from similar organizations. “There is a real commitment to creating first-class student learning experiences outside of the classroom,” said Webster, who finds that the “commitment to excellence” and the “paying it forward” mentality that are often associated with the ‘Kirby’ namesake help to differentiate the organization from others like it. Webster has worked with the Kraken Boardsports team on their various corporate planning initiatives as well as with Dr. Rodney Ridley, executive director, on projects including the prospects of a regional innovation conference. He finds that the opportunity to work with clients and students is as rewarding to him as his expertise is to them. “We can all gain from each others’

experiences if we are all willing to listen,” said Webster. “I am happy to share what hasn’t worked for me as much as what has.” A large motivation behind Webster’s willingness to serve as a mentor is encouraged by his insight into the innovation process. “Even if you have an awesome idea, it still takes a village,” said the mentor who advises those interested in entrepreneurship: “Create an advisory board and then make sure you use it.” Webster only sees the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise expanding and advancing in the coming years and plans to continue helping clients and students in a way that matches their future needs. “The needs of the students will drive future support commitments,” said Webster. “I have a particular soft spot for working with those that have initiative and energy over new ideas.”

Spring 2016

A Letter From Our Executive Director The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship continues to advance based on the same principles in which it was formed more than 20 years ago. Since 2014, when I was appointed as executive director, it has been my continued mission to maintain the foundations of success formed by my predecessors, while continuing the center’s dedication to serving Wilkes University and the Northeastern Pennsylvania region, as a whole. My vision, and the vision in which this organization was founded upon in 1993, is held up through three main pillars. These focal areas include entrepreneurial advancements through education, business development and community and industrial outreach. Aside from the highly accredited programs offered within our Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership at Wilkes University, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship remains dedicated towards advancing the education and experience for students and prospective businesses. In partnering with business and industry leaders across all fields, who offer years of practical experience and mentorship to students and prospective businesses, we continue to offer the resources necessary to develop opportunities and transform ideas into tangible and practical ventures. Working with our Kirby Scholars, top-performing students from across all

disciplines, and hosting two lectures to our community annually, the Allan P. Kirby Center is dedicated to advancing the educational background of our clients and of our students more than ever before. As a bridge between industry, academia and job creation, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship continues to advance its efforts for business development. We have developed and continually improve upon a business incubator program that benefits any small business and continue to help students and clients in commercializing their intellectual property through our technology

transfer office. As we continue to grow in recognition and the number of clients, we have also established a community seed venture program in order to provide funding to a larger number of start-ups and spur regional economic development. It is our belief that combining the energetic and passionate pool of intellectuals with the expertise of business and industry leaders will promote the development of our region as a whole. With this mission in mind, community and industrial outreach is an integral foundation for our own development. I am happy to say that we now have partnerships with dozens of organizations and leaders to help advance our initiatives. We have also committed ourselves to engaging in community outreach, particularly through STEM education and curriculum expansion for K-12 students throughout the Wyoming Valley. Throughout the past three decades, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship has continued to expand on its mission based on its foundation in education, business development and community and industrial outreach. In order to continue to serve Wilkes University and this region, we will continuously push forward, developing, launching and running the ideas and businesses of the future, building upon a long-standing foundation of success.

Dr. Rodney S. Ridley, Executive Director

Mr. Charles Pierce, Assistant Director Mr. Gerald Ephault, Executive-In-Residence

Ms. Lorna Galliford, Administrative Assistant

Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D Executive Director

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V i s i t u s o n l i n e f o r u p d a t e s a n d i n f o r m a t i o n !

w w w. w i l k e s . e d u / k i r b y

Spring 2016

W E W O U L D L O V E T O H E A R F R O M Y O U

Spring 2016

Scholars Showcase Expertise in CaliforniaBy Nicole Zukowski

The Allan. P Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Wilkes University takes a strong position when it comes to mentoring and helping students advance their education and hands-on experience. With this strong position, the center sets an initiative to give students serving as Scholars opportunities to attend lectures, seminars and conferences all over the country. So far this year, two Kirby Scholars took advantage of opportunities provided by the Center to attend two different conferences in California. This first conference was the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference in San Diego during January 9-13. Legal Scholar and Graduate Assistant, Emily Absalom, attended this educational conference. “I enjoyed many of the seminars at the conference, but was particularly interested in one entitled "Enhancing Team Performance Through Personality Insights," Absalom said. “I feel it is invaluable for all team members in an organization, especially start-ups, to recognize their own personality strengths and weaknesses so they can communicate effectively, resolve conflicts quickly and reduce personality clashes.” The other conference this year was the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Conference in San Diego at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The conference was held Feb. 14-17. AUTM is a conference for those in or interested in the technology transfer industry. Executive Director Dr. Rodney Ridley attended this conference with Business Development Kirby Scholar, Thomas Carton. Carton shared this take-away from the conference: “The most valuable

aspect of the conference for me was being able to expand my professional network and get feedback on my start-up company, Schloop LLC.” Carton continued, “I have made several new contacts that have been extremely valuable for my business and have also discussed some employment opportunities with several of these contacts I made at the conference.” Both students, however, shared the same feelings towards having these opportunities to expand their knowledge and skill sets. Absalom said she feels “very fortunate to be a scholar of the APKCFEE, and to have access to the vast network of mentors associated with the center. Dr. Ridley and Mr.

Ephault have worked tirelessly to create a mentoring culture, and to pair each Kirby Scholar and intern with a professional in his or her respective field to gain real world experience.” Carton continued the thought, “The APKCFEE is always offering me new opportunities to expand my knowledge of business as well as my professional network. I truly believe that, in this period of time, it is who you know not always what you know.” He also added that he is “very grateful for the opportunities provided for me while interning at the APKCFEE and I am certain that the knowledge and network I have gained through this experience will continue to be valuable for me into the future.”

Seen above Emily Absalom, graduate assistant and legal scholar, poses with a Wilkes University peer outside of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE)

Conference in sunny San Diego, California this past January.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Absalom

Mary Fisher Inspires the Colonel CommunityBy Justin Topa

The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship invited Mary Fisher to speak with the Wilkes University community on March 16. Fisher is an author, artist and activist best known for her speech “A Whisper of AIDS”, which was delivered at the 1992 Republican National Convention and is ranked among the top 100 speeches of the 20th century by Oxford University Press. Fisher was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and with breast cancer in 2012. Since 1992, the former adviser of Gerald Ford has been an advocate for what she would refer to as the “others”, including her outspoken call for healthcare reforms, the movement towards empowering women globally and, most famously, her demand for correcting the early perceptions and responses to AIDS and those who suffer with the disease. The “others”, as Fisher explained during her lecture, refers to anyone outside of the status quo. By labeling those who don’t match our societal norms, we’re discrediting entire groups unfairly and in a way that limits fast and effective progress, explained Fisher. “I have learned what it means to be the other,” the AIDS survivor explained to the full crowd at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. “That stigma kills us long before the virus does.” By joining in the advocacy of ‘others’, Fisher finds entrepreneurs can advance their own mission and succeed in creating a global message while helping to provide a voice to the overlooked. One marginalized group Fisher is spending a lot of her time advocating for includes women from third-world countries. She finds that these women may have answers to problems plaguing the world and ideas for innovation that can advance our human race, but they are stifled with issues hard to empathize

with, including disease, famine and lack of education. Fisher founded the 100 Good Deeds campaign in order to empower vulnerable women and promote humanitarian efforts. The 100 Good Deeds project, Fisher’s most recent entrepreneurial endeavor, gives vulnerable women worldwide a way to support their families by making bracelets, while empowering them to promote a chain of good deeds globally. The bracelet allows its owner to keep track of their 100 good deeds, via 100

strung beads, to promote changing the world one bead and one deed at a time. The project has already promoted more than 2 million good deeds, with proceeds going back into the program to reach more women and girls at risk across the globe. After more than two decades in the global spotlight, Fisher continues to strive for global responsibility, advocacy of marginalized groups and the advancement of the human race, especially through an entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

Mary Fisher provided an inspiring speech to the Wilkes University community regarding entrepreneurship and humanitarian efforts.

Photo Courtesy of Jesse Chalnick

Spring 2016

Client Spotlight: Bepa Studio Brings Talent to NYC

By Amanda Fulk

Northeastern Pennsylvania native M. Michele Geiser, artist and owner of Bepa Studio, decided to pursue a lifelong dream of art in 2013. Bepa Studio was born after family and friends encouraged her to turn this wonderful talent into a profession. The meaning of “Bepa” is roughly translated to faith, which gives some insight to Geiser’s religious background. Geiser, whose work primarily focuses on unique art created through her nature photography, has photos that range from traditional nature to digitally altered photographic art, as well as a few architectural pieces. She does not consider herself a photographer but instead an artist with a distinct vision. The use of the camera instead of a brush allows her to bring nature and the world around us to life in a playful manner. Unique digital creativity of Geiser’s one-of-a-kind pieces distinguishes her style from other artists. This individual distinctive innovation allows her original perception to push beyond average observation, through awareness of the overlooked and taken for granted, in everyday beauty that surrounds us. Her imagination and use of color is evident and expresses originality. “Creating something that never before existed allows me to breathe. It also incorporates my strong connection to nature and faith,” Geiser said. Various pieces of Bepa’s art have been featured in galleries and exhibits all across northeastern Pennsylvania and can also be purchased in local shops. In March 2015, Geiser learned that two of her pieces would be displayed in Florence and Turin, Italy and has expanded Bepa Studio internationally within the past year. Bepa Studio has also recently been accepted to showcase its, “Avant-

garde Collection” in New York City’s Greenwich Village on May 21st at the Bedford Barrows Fine Arts Show. Among Geiser’s professional work, she is also a member of the following groups: The World Photography Organization/WPO, the Arts and Hearts International, the National Association of Professional Women-VIP Member, Continental Who’s Who and the National Association of Distinguished Professionals. Geiser’s art has also been recognized by the U.S. National Weather

Service, Affiliates of ABC and NBC Television, Pennsylvania State Senate and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. Geiser has been a client of The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship since March of 2015. In that time, her work has been added to offices in the Kirby Center and featured in the Allan P. Kirby Enterprise Center in Wilkes-Barre. To view more of Bepa Studio’s art, please visit BepaStudio.com and Bepa Studio on Facebook.

“Creating something that never before existed allows me to breathe. It also incorporates my strong connection to nature and faith,” Geiser said. Her artwork is set to be showcased in New York City’s, Greenwich Village, on May 21st at the Bedford Barrows Fine Arts Show.

Spring 2016

Photo Courtesy of BEPA Studio

Photo Courtesy of BEPA Studio

Kirby Scholars Gain Experience through Serving By Nicole Zukowski

The Kirby Scholars Program provides current Wilkes undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in their chosen disciplines while serving as valued resources to the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and the students and clients that are represented by the organization. Scholars are chosen as a result of a scrupulous process, chosen as the top-performing students in areas of accounting, marketing, legal, product development, education and project management. The selection process involves a review committee of field-specific faculty, Kirby Center staff and the executive-in-residence. Scholars are held to a high standard of excellence while gaining hands-on, practical experience in their fields and mentorship from top leaders within their respective fields. “This assistantship has allowed me to study interactions among academia, the industry sector and the local political environment,” said Emily Absalom, the center’s legal scholar. “The practical business experience I am gaining will serve my law studies and practice well in the future.” In general, one of the greatest aspects of the center is its dedication to help students succeed in their current positions and in their future endeavors. Justin Topa, Communications Scholar said, “Under the leadership of Dr. Rodney Ridley, we [scholars] have seen a wide range of departments, faculty, staff and students join together to be able to take great ideas they already had and launch them into real, tangible organizations that are nurtured in such a way in which they will hopefully find success.” The Kirby Scholars program helps open new opportunities for networking with prominent community leaders, invitations to private events such as

the Kirby Lecture Series dinners, in addition to various options to attend lectures, seminars and conferences. “The most rewarding aspect of my position is having the opportunity to grow as a professional and to become more well-rounded. My eventual goal is to become an attorney,” Absalom said. This position comes with a vast array of benefits for scholars. Aside from access to their field’s leading experts and around-the-clock access to the resources necessary for success, Kirby scholars also have the opportunity to earn credits in exchange for their commitment. Kirby Scholar in business development Thomas Carton is taking advantage of earning this internship credit opportunity. “I am very grateful for the opportunities provided for me while interning at the APKCFEE,” said Carton. “I am certain that the knowledge and network I have gained through this experience will continue to be valuable for me in to the future.” The program is funded by grants, private funding and generous donations

to the center and the future of the Kirby Scholar Program is certainly promising. As of April, the Center added its latest scholar to begin in fall 2016 within the field of STEM education. Emily Messinger, who is a middle-level education major with a concentration in science, hopes to add to the program’s record of success. Currently, the program has seven active scholars with three past scholars. The Center views this program as an asset to the University. The program gives scholars a sense of belonging in the university and connects them into the Wilkes-Barre community. Sustainability is the goal for the Center concerning the Kirby Scholar program, and funding is necessary to keep this program active for years to come. Positions in the program are created to be regular positions within the center, with a rotation of students in the positions as scholars graduate. For more information on the Kirby Scholar program, contact the scholar supervisor and the Center’s Assistant Director, [email protected].

PA S T:Jo n C o n k l i n ’ 1 5 – A c c o u n t i n g

K a y l a G r a d w o h l – P r o d u c t D e v e l o p m e n tTa i l l o n S t a u d e n m e i e r – M a r k e t i n g a n d P r o m o t i o n s

P R E S E N T:E m i l y A b s a l o m ’ 1 5 - L e g a l

T h o m a s C a r t o n ’ 1 6 - B u s i n e s s D e v e l o p m e n t J a m e s Mu s t o ‘ 1 7 - D i g i t a l D e s i g n a n d M e d i a A r t

B r i a n S u r d o v e l ‘ 1 7 - A c c o u n t i n g N i c o l e Z u k o w s k i ‘ 1 6 - C o m m u n i c a t i o n s

Ju s t i n To p a ’ 1 6 - C o m m u n i c a t i o n s

PA S T A N D P R E S E N T K I R B Y S C H O L A R S

Spring 2016

Center ‘SCORE’s with New Partnership

With the substantial growth of the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in recent years, it was clear that the Center was in need of the right “horsepower”, as Executive Director Rodney Ridley Sr. phrases it, to get help for further mentorship from the center. The center has expanded from nine businesses to 30 in this last year. It was with the want of expansion and the need of horsepower to considerably increase mentoring opportunities for area entrepreneurs that resulted in the APKCFEE officially partnering with the national SCORE Inc. program. “Our partnership with SCORE is vital in serving our businesses,” Ridley said. “The growth in the number of

businesses we are serving has outpaced the number of mentors and the fields of expertise already affiliated with the Kirby Center. With SCORE, our business owners have access to mentors in its regional office and can also tap the more than 12,000 volunteers in SCORE’s national network.” SCORE is a non-profit corporation that links volunteer mentors to small businesses. Developed in 1964, SCORE harnesses the expertise and training needed to mentor numerous small businesses by drawing on both working and retired business professionals. The organization is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration and has assisted nearly half a million entrepreneurs annually. The primary purpose of the 330 chapter program in the United States is to help start and nourish growing

businesses to progress in success. Counseling is available in many business-related areas, including accounting, marketing, and sales along with many other areas of expertise. SCORE’s northeast Pennsylvania chapter, based in the Stegmaier Building in Wilkes-Barre, serves businesses in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wyoming counties. This partnership between APKCFEE and SCORE enhances the center’s ability to guide and support a larger number of entrepreneurs of the fast growing community. Staying true to the center’s mission to foster the entrepreneurial climate in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the SCORE partnership has indispensable value with encouraging the community.

By Nicole Zukowski

Wilkes-Barre Connect Set to LaunchBy: James Jaskolka

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce will officially launch Wilkes-Barre Connect by April 20, the next step in helping to stimulate economic growth and business opportunities in the Wyoming Valley, to the greater Wilkes-Barre community. Wilkes-Barre Connect will bridge the Kirby Center’s one-on-one entrepreneurial assistance with other local professionals who are willing to help. The things that Wilkes University and the Kirby Center can’t offer -- legal services, business insurance -- will be provided by a different branch of the “entrepreneurial ecosystem.” “The idea is to connect all of these services under one umbrella,” Dr. Rodney Ridley, executive director of

the Kirby Center, said, noting that this will allow their individual help to small businesses to be carried through every step of the way. The Small Business Development Center is the beginning; The Kirby Center and Wilkes-Barre Connect are the middle; When the business needs what Ridley calls “serious capitol,” they can receive help from the Innovation Center, led by the group from eBay Enterprises. “You go through all the way, your hand held, without getting dropped,” Ridley said of the program, which is gearing up to launch in late April. Ridley believes this will allow more people to be assisted at once, which in turn will get more ideas into the “entrepreneurial funnel.” Ridley says the growth of local businesses will help stimulate Wilkes-Barre’s economy, which may prompt

people to stay after graduation if jobs become available. His team also hopes to expand and help stimulate the economy of the surrounding regions. “The concept became, ‘why wouldn’t we do it in Scranton? Why wouldn’t we do it in Hazleton?’” Ridley said, adding that if done correctly, northeastern Pennsylvania has the potential “make some serious noise.” “We have deals going to Scranton and Hazleton to do the same things and tie it all together to make an entrepreneurial ecosystem that could rival any startup community,” he said. In fall 2016, Wilkes-Barre Connect will become open to potential clients, who are encouraged to bring their best ideas to the organization for a chance at turning them into a reality under the helping hand of leading professionals.

New Partnership Advances Mission:

Spring 2016

the visionary

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