Vision
Forum's Entrepreneurial Bootcamp a Hit with CollegePlus!
Students
It
was entrepreneurial. And it definitely was a bootcamp. Doug
Phillips, president
of the Vision Forum, took
on the role of a drill sergeant as he challenged over
a thousand entrepreneurs—and future entrepreneurs—at Vision
Forum’s Entrepreneurial Bootcamp August 10 to 12
in San Antonio, Texas. For the conference, Phillips brought
together
a cadre of godly men who are both savvy business owners
as
well as biblically-sound believers.
Speakers
Stress Developing a Family-run Cottage Industry
Held
at the San Antonio Convention Center, the conference comprised
sessions in the main auditorium as well as breakout workshops
in three smaller lecture halls. Session topics focused on giving
fathers and families practical tips on making a home business
or cottage industry profitable. The speakers encouraged parents
to include their children in their entrepreneurial ventures
and attorney Don Hart explained the top ten legal issues confronting
home-based businesses. These legal concerns included guidelines
for children who work in a home venture, potential difficulties
with partnerships, and advantages/disadvantages of incorporating,
among others.
Bootcamp
Speakers: A Wealth of Practical Creativity and Down-to-Earth
Knowledge
The
panel of speakers included a Harvard MBA graduate who runs
a venture capital firm and several other businessmen who
have formulated
enterprises to meet specific needs in today’s society and,
in the process, have made those creative ideas profitable. However,
Doug Phillips clearly stated that each of these entrepreneurs
had experienced at least one business failure. However, according
to Phillips, they have accepted these flops as a part of healthy
entrepreneurship and continued seeking other avenues of income
to support their families and the Lord’s work.
How
the Bootcamp Influenced CollegePlus! Students
Several
CollegePlus! students attended the bootcamp and walked
away with inspiring truths that went much deeper than
mere business
pursuits. Cole Criddle (BSBA, ’07), who lives in the
San Antonio area, said one message in particular helped expand
his spiritual vision. Speaker Geoff Botkin, a veteran film
producer and information technology pioneer, shared a session
on building a “two-hundred year family plan.” This
concept deeply impressed Cole. “Botkin’s [session]
helped me realize that your family goals don’t have to
stop when you start your own family,” he said.
Meet
Cole and see how the bootcamp further impacted his
life!
In addition to presenting more than twenty practical workshops
and sessions, the bootcamp sponsored a business plan competition
with a $5,000 grand prize as well as cash prizes for second and
third place. In fact, CollegePlus! director Woody Robertson submitted
a proposal and placed third in the competition.
Although dates have not been announced for the next Vision Forum
Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, Doug Phillips desires to make this
a regular event for families to benefit from on both a business
and spiritual level. For more information on the Vision Forum,
check out their website at www.visionforum.org.
