Money Program For Young Adults Explores What It Takes To Succeed As An Entrepreneur
Manchester, CT (February 10, 2014)… On Wednesday, February 19, “Beer, Burgers & Managing Your Bucks” – a series of monthly networking and money-management gatherings for young adults at MCC on Main in Manchester – will celebrate National Entrepreneurship Week (February 15 – 22) with a program devoted to the topic.
“February’s event is designed for any young person who has ever thought about going into business for himself or herself,” says Marcie LaBelle, coordinator of the series. “Whether they’re committed to taking action or just curious about the possibility, they’ll get a good sense of the skills, mindset and motivation they need to make a go of it from our panel of four successful entrepreneurs. They’ll also get a chance to speak with a representative of the Small Business Administration and take a tour of the collaborative work space for entrepreneurs at Axis901, on the floor just above MCC on Main.”
Panelists for the evening include:
TJ Clynch, founder and owner of Downtown Yoga Studio and Civic Mind, a marketing design firm specializing in civic development projects. TJ is the winner of the 2011 Hartford Innovation Challenge. In 2012, he was also named one of Hartford Business Journal’s “40 under Forty.” TJ has an interesting and inspiring story to tell about the launch of his entrepreneurial career, which came on the heels of a life-changing event.
Megan McConville, president and owner of a full-service commercial and industrial roofing contracting company, Offshore Construction. Not only is Megan breaking ground in an industry traditionally dominated by men, she is growing the venture at top speed: both profits and employees have quadrupled in a little over three years. Megan was featured as one of Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under Forty” in the February 2014 issue.
Paula Lajaunie Viscogliosi, executive director Textures Design, a multi-million dollar international design studio with a retail gallery in Soho and Uptown Manhattan, Paula started her own business specializing in custom-designed hand-woven rugs at the age of 26 with an initial investment of $20,000. In recent years, Paula has chosen to focus her attention on the historic restoration and interior design of two of the Cheney Mansions on the Great Lawn in Manchester. She is also committed to the revitalization of the Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District.
Corey Wry, Manchester native and owner/co-owner of three highly popular local eateries: Pastrami on Wry, Corey’s Catsup & Mustard and CW’s Chops’ n Catch. Corey’s restaurants have received national attention, including a New York Times review of Chops ‘n’ Catch and a Catsup & Mustard feature on Guy Fieri’s Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
During the networking hour prior to the panel presentation, guests will enjoy a sampling of handcrafted beer from OIde Burnside, the East Hartford microbrewery known for its flagship Ten Penny Scottish Ale, as well as sliders from Corey’s Catsup & Mustard burger bar. They can also tour Axis901, a vibrant “co-working” space for small business owners located upstairs from MCC on Main. Current members of Axis901 include web marketers, e-commerce firms, business strategists, app developers, authors and software engineers.
Lisa Powell, an Economic Development Specialist and Business Opportunity Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Connecticut District Office, will also be on hand during the networking hour. Lisa provides workshops for entrepreneurs who are just starting out and can discuss the resources available through the SBA with anyone interested in embarking on that path.
The evening will start at 5 p.m., with the formal part of the program beginning at 6 p.m. (late-comers are welcome), at MCC on Main, 903 Main Street, Manchester. Admission is $5 at the door. For information, call 860-647-6030 or visit www.manchestercc.edu/bucks.
MCC on Main, Manchester Community College’s Arts and Education Center, is an art gallery (including a video gallery), entrepreneurship center, café, and seminar and conference room space for hosting classes and event-related programming. The Adolf and Virginia Dehn Gallery at MCC on Main features national artists, as well as local and emerging talent. A variety of programs and services that bring arts, education and the community together are offered. MCC on Main is made possible by a partnership among Manchester Community College, the Town of Manchester and the MCC Foundation, Inc., and the generosity of First Niagara Bank Foundation. MCC on Main is located at 903 Main Street, Manchester, Connecticut and is open Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Additional information is available at MCC on Main.
Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The college offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. The main, park-like campus, which is easily accessible from I-84, is also the home of Great Path Academy, a middle college high school, serving grades 9-12. The college’s second location, the Manchester Community College Arts and Education Center, opened in downtown Manchester in 2012. MCC takes pride in the quality of programs and the many ways we’ve helped students, families, businesses and community grow over the past five decades. Fifty Years Together. For Learning. For Life.
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