Can anything match the excitement of watching a chance encounter evolve into something real? What a thrill it was to stand in a conference room at the College of Business Administration and welcome leaders of the MIT Venture Mentor Service (VMS) to Florida International University (FIU). A group of 15 South Florida business leaders and […]
Tag: Entrepreneur
FIU alumnus eyes global opportunity.
Florida International University (FIU) graduate Andres Franco (BBA ’08) touts the importance of having great vision. As founder and owner of Premium Vision International (PVI), the leading distributor of glasses and optical accessories in Colombia, South America, Franco is involved in an industry-wide campaign to make eyewear affordable for consumers in developing countries. “The major […]
iVentures: Growing a “gut feeling” at the iEntrepreneurship Lab
How do angel investors and venture capitalists make the decision about investing in a new venture? How do they determine if the company they are betting on is worth $7 million, $25 million or $100 million? The “art” of due-diligence fascinates me. I call it an art, because as much as we apply sound financial […]
Entrepreneur returns to campus to share the secrets of success.
When Doug Gallagher (MSM ’74) last walked across the Florida International University (FIU) campus, the young state university was home to around 5,000 students and only one or two buildings. Today’s FIU is quite a different place—a difference that greatly impressed Gallagher when he returned recently to speak at the College of Business Administration. One […]
Alumna finds optimal career satisfaction in her marketing company.
A complete business plan, networking and a birthday party were all part of the early success of Optimal Marketing Results, according to its founder Melany D. Michelena (BBA ’05). Parlaying her corporate experience working for others, and focusing on what she loved to do, Michelena now offers advice to other hopeful entrepreneurs. https://business.fiu.edu/biznews/2009/09/melany_michelena.mp4
South Florida Business Journal selects FIU Business alumna as one of 25 “Influential Business Women of 2009.”
Silka Gonzalez (MACC ’05) discusses Enterprise Risk Management—a boutique IT consulting firm specializing in information security of which she is president and founder—and how a driving passion for her work led to her recognition as one of South Florida Business Journal‘s Influential Business Women of 2009. https://business.fiu.edu/biznews/2009/8/silka_gonzalez_alumni_profile_Md.mp4
Jobless opt for entrepreneurship over job hunting.
In a tough economy, when people get laid off, they might not be keen to start the process of a job search. Some are developing a business plan, securing financing and making the adjustment to being self-employed. An article appearing in The Miami Herald on June 24, 2009, quotes Irma Becerra-Fernandez, director of the Eugenio […]
IMBA graduate launches eco-friendly online baby products store.
Diana Rodas-Marrink (IMBA ’03) Owner World Sources, the parent company for Best Baby Organics “I’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit,” said Diana Rodas-Marrink (IMBA ’03), owner of World Sources, the parent company of Best Baby Organics, an online store offering organic baby clothing and eco-friendly baby gear. “When I was expecting my first child, I […]