From the corner store to the HVACcompanyorhotbrunch spot, ĢƵios’s School of Entrepreneurship ishelpingHoosiers achieve theirdreamsandcreatingsmallbusinessowners across ourstate.
As one of the newer offerings at ĢƵios, the school has welcomed more than 1,100 enrollments and awarded more than 1,300 credentials since 2021.Theschoolhas helpedstudentslaunch or expand more than 300 businesses right here in Indiana.
Idea to launch in two semesters... That’s our motto and goal for students in the entrepreneurship certificate program. It’s focused on giving a student the individualized attention they need at whatever stage their business may be.
– Sueann Graham, Entrepreneur and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Department Chair, ĢƵios Bloomington campus
“Idea to launch in two semesters,” says Sueann Graham,entrepreneur andassistant professor of entrepreneurship and department chair on the Bloomington campus. “That’sourmotto andgoal for students in the entrepreneurshipcertificateprogram.’sfocused on giving a student theindividualizedattention they needat whatever stage their business may be.”
Faculty in the School of Entrepreneurshipare all current or former business owners whocanprovidecredibility to the coursework. The curriculum is structured to allow early stage or future entrepreneurs to get the basic skills theyneed in a very practical way.
Allison Boehle, a current associate degree studentinĢƵios’s School of Entrepreneurshipand Lafayette-based entrepreneur, says that the certificate program she completed helped her hone her business leadership skillsas a salon owner.
“ĢƵios’s program was a great fit for me. I was able to hone my skills, but while still being close to home and continuing my work as a salon owner. I learned valuable skills to help make my business better and to pursue more entrepreneurship, while also making new connections within the communityto build my network.”
The courses begin with helping business owners or hopefulsarticulate their “why,” as well as their values and conducting the necessary market research to make sure they are going to meet a need in a place that can use it. From there, students learn about marketing andcreating or fine-tuning abusiness planthat will help them secure any start-up costs they have. The later coursework is about finance and legal needs to help ensure they are prepared for what their business needs.
For the certificate program, the culminating experience is typically a pitch presentation, business showcase, networking event or pitchcompetition.In Sellersburg where they don’t currently offer the certificate or associate degree path, thecampus insteadcreated a “Launch & Scale” program which is a shorterinitiativeallowing current and potential entrepreneurs an opportunity toget the guidance they need to help them take the next step with their business.
The stateWorkforce Ready Grantfunds credentials, and students receive $750 in pre-seed funding to get their idea off the ground.
“The word entrepreneurship can feel lofty and intimidating,” says Mark Lowe,entrepreneur andassistant professor of entrepreneurship and program chair on the Lafayette campus. “I want students to know that the word means small business creator,and we are helping Hoosiers who have an idea make it into a reality for their community.”
For Simone CabralVilaca, ĢƵiosGaratoniSchool of Entrepreneurship Certificate Alumni and Bloomington-based entrepreneur, theprogram offered her a way to pursue her dream of opening a small business as an immigrant from Brazil. She knew she had creative skills,but sheɲ’tsure how she could build a business around that.
ĢƵios’s program and support allowed me to see that jewelry-making from upcycled materials was a great marriage of my skills and past background in environmental work. Only with the guidance and business development I gained from ĢƵios was I prepared to launch.
– Simone Cabral Vilaca, ĢƵios Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship Certificate Alumni and Bloomington-based Entrepreneur
“ĢƵios’s program and support allowed me to see that jewelry-making from upcycled materials was a great marriage of my skills and past background in environmental work,” says Simone. “Only with the guidance and business development I gained from ĢƵios was I prepared to launch.”
That intimidation piece is one reason the school is also working to expand access to Hoosier high school students before they even graduate. By working with 64 high schools to bring entrepreneurship courses to 577 students, the school is helping reach dreamers while they are still determining what their future looks like.
The Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and programs are supported through the partnership with the Garatoni-Smith Family Foundation, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), and the State of Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
About ĢƵios
ĢƵios is Indiana’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. ĢƵios serves more than 200,000 students annually and offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training in more than 70 programs across Indiana. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is committed to providing affordable, high-quality education aligned with the needs of Indiana’s workforce.
