The Atlantic recently called New Orleans the ‘city for start-ups’, so what better place to host GROWCO: Grow Your Company Conference. The conference was established by Inc Magazine to inspire and bring together over 600 entrepreneurs from all over the United States, and this is exactly what it did. As a Fund 17 Director, Tulane’s Changemaker Institute gave me the opportunity to attend GROWCO from April 10th – 13th, 2013. Before arriving, I was told I would learn about social entrepreneurship, be motivated and leave with practical strategies to achieve my business goals, and this I certainly did.
As I’ve transitioned through my college years, I have had a growing desire to give back to New Orleans, the city that has become my second home. Speakers, including the CEOs of Whole Foods and Naked Pizza, John Mackey and Robbie Vitrano respectively, as well as Sir Richard Branson. They all proved that it is possible to have a successful and profitable business, whilst participating in philanthropic events and making socially responsible decisions.
Not only did I learn from the speakers, but what was even more valuable, was the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs. I am not normally one to approach strangers and strike up a conversation; however, with so many seminars to attend, and meals to share, it was hard not to talk to people. I shared stories with fellow entrepreneurs about start up struggles, and it always came back to the same thing – no matter where we were from, we faced the same issues – marketing, getting people involved, gaining support, getting that first opportunity… These networking opportunities particularly opened my eyes up to how willing people are to help a stranger. You just have to ask!
It is clear that establishing a successful business takes hard work, and every speaker I listened to and entrepreneur I spoke to emphasized the importance of finding your niche and putting in the hard yards. No one ever said it was easy. Many of these incredible people worked for years before any recognition or payback.
Although people traveled from all over the US to attend GROWCO, there was a focus placed on New Orleans and the entrepreneurial spirit present within this beautiful city. New Orleans Mayor, Mitch Landrieu, articulated the persistence and creativity that I strongly believe represents this city. Listening to Mayor Landrieu speak gave me confidence for the future of Fund 17 as we embark on our next year giving microfinance loans to underserved New Orleanians and holding financial education seminars.
Overall, the conference was a reality check for me. Not only was I inspired and motivated by the creative entrepreneurs around me, but I also gained valuable employment advice. As a double major in marketing and psychology, I spoke with a number of business owners and picked at their brains about all sorts of topics including interviews, internships and what they look for in potential employees. This three day conference was an exciting experience and I met a variety of different who gave me priceless advice which I hope to implement in my search for the future.
As I am now entering my senior year of college, I am struck by the next chapter of my life: leaving college and entering the ‘real world’. GROWCO was an incredibly motivating learning experience, and it filled me with excitement and determination to enter the ‘real world’!
Thank you to Tulane and the Changemaker Institute for giving me the opportunity to attend this conference.
