Entrepreneurship alive and well in Boone NC

Sorry for the long response between entries. It's been a busy fall up here in northwestern NC.

Despite all the bad news about the economy, I'm happy to report that entrepreneurship is alive and well in Boone NC! Appalachian State students are participating in programs in record numbers. Community members are working on new business ideas. Business, academic and civic leaders are all working together to make sure that entrepreneurship is the key to economic development in this part of the state.

A record 336 Appalachian State students enrolled in entrepreneurship courses across campus this semester. More than 600 people participated in the 8th Annual Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit, hearing an inspiring keynote address by Matthew Szulik, Chairman of Red Hat and 2008 Ernst and Young National Entrepreneur of the Year plus more than 45 other business owners from across the eastern seaboard. 185 students submitted entries in the 2009 Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds Contest sponsored by 3tailer (check out this awesome business owned by two 25 year old ASU grads) and Magic Cycles. 17 students are participating in a year long mentoring experience as part of the Dale Tweedy Mentoring Program for Entrepreneur Scholars. Creative students from all across campus are working on business ideas, coming up with cool social entrepreneurship ventures and more. Wow!

The same entrepreneurial spirit can be felt across the region. Everyone recognizes that home grown jobs are the way to go. Almost all of the large private employers in the area started very small and many are now national industry leaders. Here are a just a few examples: American Emergency Vehicles, Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, Hospitality Mints, ECR Software. Leaders from across the region and working together like never before to identify, inspire and support the next generation of growth businesses in the region. One of those could be yours!