On Saturday, April 21, 2007, the Entrepreneurial
Studies Program (ESP) hosted its first Entrepreneurs
Day at the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh.
 This social gathering, networking event, and
job fair for Duquesne University's ESP
students and local entrepreneurs was hosted by
ESP founding director Ron Morris. Morris also
hosted his Saturday morning radio show, The American
Entrepreneur (TAE), live from The Rivers Club,
welcoming many of the attendees on-air to discuss
entrepreneurism and young entrepreneurs in the
Pittsburgh region.
"With increased discontent in the notion
of working for a big company, entrepreneurial
education has really become the way to go over
the past few years, Don Jones, head of Draper
Triangle Venture Capital, and one of the most
highly-regarded entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania
said. "Students in these programs, including
all of the bright young minds here today really
fills me hope for the region."
 With that underlying thought in mind, Entrepreneurs
Day was able to bring dozens of ESP students
face-to-face with local entrepreneurs and business
leaders, many of whom were looking to hire or
provide summer internships.
Among the business leaders on hand to recruit
the region's brightest students were many
businesses and entrepreneurs well-known to the
region as well as collaborators of the ESP and
The American Entrepreneur radio program.
These owners and CEO's included Chuck
Leyh of Enterprise, Sam Lucci of Partners Through
People, Mike Fox of Gefsky and Lehman, and Mike
Kauffelt of Bill Few Associates, who all came
out to meet and discuss business opportunities
with the ESP students.
 Additionally, Don Jones of Draper Triangle Venture
Capital, Dan Coll of Rapid Fulfillment, Aldo
Zini of Aethon, James Droney of Mt. Lebanon Office
Equipment, and Duquesne University Professor
Dr. Audrey Guskey spent time with the students
as well.
The entrepreneurs and business owners also took
the time to share advice with the students and
answered any questions they might have about
their respective industries, markets, or job
functions.
"This morning, I have met some of the
most interesting young people that I have come
across in a long time," said Bill Few Associates
CEO Mike Kauffelt. "It is very encouraging
to me, as well as other business owners and mangers,
to see this level of talent that is out there
in the marketplace."
 The Duquesne University Entrepreneurial Studies
Majors were just as encouraged by the networking
opportunities present at Saturday's event.
"I could have never imagined just how
many opportunities would be presented to me," junior
ESP major Brittany Strobel said. "This
was a wonderful experience, and I would do it
again in a heartbeat."
"Being able to talk with so many business
owners at once is very eye-opening to students
like us as to how many opportunities are out
there for us," senior ESP major Steve Mougis
said.
The success of Entrepreneurs Day promises an
improved event next year with even more opportunities
for the students and the attending entrepreneurs.
Two students from the University of Pittsburgh's
Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence attended,
showing a keen interest in the Entrepreneurial
Studies Program and the events that the program
had to offer the students.
Learn
more about the program »
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