Now that you have a business idea or are thinking of taking a developing startup to the next level, it may be time to take a hard look at what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Please join us as we delve into the many considerations behind this decision. You'll hear from small business owner and host Otis Jennings and Golden Artist Colors CEO Mark Golden, along with Brad Treat and Ken Rother, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence from the Southern Tier Startup Alliance. We will present some of the leading thinking in the literature, hear personal stories, and engage in informal discussion with current and potential entrepreneurs.

An open mic period for Q&A and information sharing, plus a resource table, will be available.

The goal of the session is for participants to leave with specific actions they can take to make informed decisions.

What is this?

A series of free entrepreneurship events are being held locally for entrepreneurs and those thinking about entrepreneurship in greater Chenango County. This February event builds on earlier presentations, but previous attendance is not required.

Who is it for?

• Any who are thinking about starting up a new business.
  
• Any who have new businesses that they want to take to the next level.
  
• Any who are interested in a growing network of local entrepreneurs and businesspersons.
  
• Students who are interested in entrepreneurship.
  

What's different?

Presenter Brad Treat will be joined by Ken Rother, another Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Southern Tier Startup Alliance, as well as local businessperson Mark Golden, CEO of Golden Artist Colors, Inc. Their topics will cover next steps for a startup.

The program will include an informal open mic segment where attendees each have the floor for about 3 minutes. You could ask for input on a new business idea, ask questions, share what you need in your new business development, or announce what's coming next in your business.

A resource table will be available, including a free USB pre-loaded with information for the first 50 who sign in.

Who arranged this?

These events are part of a collaboration by Oxford Academy and Central School District, the Southern Tier Startup Alliance, Commerce Chenango, and local businesspersons, with extended partners Morrisville State College, NBT Bank, and the Otselic Valley Central School District, with DCMO BOCES.

Previous events

• Entrepreneur Night: What makes a great startup idea?
  
• Entrepreneur Roundtable: Oxford, NY
• How to think like an entrepreneur, with football legend Floyd D. Little

Brad Treat is a serial entrepreneur, was the founding CEO of Mesmeriz, Inc. in 2006 and raised over $4M in venture capital from six upstate venture capital funds and angel groups. Previously he was the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Cornell University. He cofounded SightSpeed, Inc. in 2001 and served as its Chief Executive Officer. SightSpeed was profitably sold to Logitech for $30M. Treat has over 15 years of operational, financial, and business strategy experience at both startups and large corporations. He served in engineering and management capacities at Bowles Fluidics and GKN Automotive for 8 years, where he was responsible for engineering, operations, and personnel management within the high precision, high volume industrial units. Mr. Treat holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce and is an Instructor in Practical Entrepreneurship at Ithaca College.

Ken Rother is a proven entrepeneur who has built and exited 2 successful tech/media start-ups, Mountain Lake and Treehugger, after which he served as SVP of Digital Platform Strategy of Discovery Communications. He is a member of the teaching team for eLab, Cornell's student business incubator, and is a Venture Partner at Cayuga Venture Fund. His expertise is in leveraging the intersection of the Business Model Canvas, Design Thinking, and rapid hardware/software prototyping to create highly effective customer products and experiences.

Mark Golden, CEO and Co-founder of Golden Artist Colors, began the company in 1980 with 4 employees, his father Sam Golden, mother Adele and wife Barbara. Originating in a cow barn on his parents’ retirement home in rural Columbus, NY, the company made and delivered custom artist colors for artists in Manhattan. GOLDEN’s staff of Employee/Owners is now close to 200, with facilities in Columbus as well as Norwich, NY. GOLDEN sells its products in over 60 countries.

Mark was selected as the 1996 Small Business Person of the Year for NY and recognized by President Bill Clinton for his activities in creating a business exemplifying the spirit of Corporate Citizenship, providing a work environment that values all employees. In 2006, Mark received an award from the American Institute for Conservation, recognizing his contributions to the art conservation field. In 2005, he received the NYFA 2005 Inspiration Award and was honored by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York with a 2005 Wall of Fame Award. In 2011, Inc. Magazine recognized GOLDEN as one of the top 50 small businesses to work for. In 2012, GOLDEN was recognized by Americans for the Arts as a top 10 contributor to the arts in the US. In 2014 Mark received an honorary Doctorate from Colgate University for his work in support of the local and international arts community.

In 1997, Mark and his family began The Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts to honor their parents. Its mission is to be a significant resource for visual artists. Over the next 14 years, the Foundation donated to numerous artists and art organizations. In 2010, the Foundation began constructing the Golden Residence, a 10,000-square-foot living and work space for invited artists which opened in 2012.

Ronald Otis Jennings is presently a business owner, motivational speaker, and educational consultant. He has lectured and conducted in-service training and workshops in over 200 high school, middle schools, and elementary schools throughout New York State. Otis has also served in many government positions, most notably as Syracuse Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs. As Commissioner, he traveled to the Middle East and Israel to develop educational, cultural, and sports programming at the end of the Intifada. Otis is a graduate of State University College at Cortland where he completed a Bachelors of Science Degree in Public Health and Health Education. He also received a Master Training Certification in Construction from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.