During the Month of June, I got the opportunity to be a Business Innovation Intern for the Center of Innovation, Business & Entrepreneurship (CIBE). During this month I have learned so much surrounding the idea of entrepreneurship and how there are so many aspects that contribute to a successful leader.
Throughout this past month, I have had the opportunity to go all over the city of Indianapolis and learn from alumni and learn from their experiences. I learned that branding is more than just a logo from James Kennedy 16’. Brand is a value, and it is what differentiates companies from one another.
From Tony Unfried 03’, I learned about the importance of thorough preparation and research before creating a business or pitching to investors. You must do an immense amount of market research and know the ins and outs of the market, as well as create realistic goals, to strive and accomplish. This also can only be done through more research.
While visiting entrepreneurs and alumni, everyone in the CIBE grouped up into teams of 4 and were tasked to create our own company. Using what I have learned from the alumni, I applied it to the company that my team and I (Bradley Gilliam, Carson Vlcan, and Blake Herdes) worked on. We named it Humming Athletics. During these past couple of weeks, we were to think like entrepreneurs and do everything an entrepreneur would do to create a business. My team and I have learned to use Excel for financial modeling, create business models, and conduct market research and analysis. We then executed a market plan on how we would launch our hypothetical product.
I am grateful for the opportunities and experience I have received through the CIBE. The CIBE really opened my eyes and led me to truly appreciate the time and work that is done to become a successful entrepreneur. I am also very grateful to all the unnamed alumni who spent time out of their busy schedules to provide us insight in their day-to-day operations. This opportunity has escalated my interest in becoming a future entrepreneur. I look forward to applying the insights and lessons I have learned in my future endeavors.
