Business programs co-sponsored by the new Ashland University Eagle Entrepreneurs student organization and the Morgan Center for Entrepreneurial Studies will be held on Feb. 8 and Feb. 17 in the Ridenour Room of the Dauch College of Business and Economics. Both programs are free and open to the public.
On Feb. 8, the 7 p.m. program titled “Meet the Entrepreneur” will feature Tony Madalone, a 2007 bachelor science in business administration graduate of Ashland University and a 2009 MBA graduate of Ashland. Madalone is president of Fresh Brewed Tees in Lakewood, Ohio.
Madalone started his first business in his dorm room in Clayton Hall while a student. He is now founder, president and CEO of Fresh Brewed Tees (www.freshbrewedtees.com), and last year one his products was featured on ESPN.
The presentation will show attendees how Madalone started and grew his apparel business as well as how he incorporates social responsibility into his business. Madalone was the creator of the "Quitness" t-shirt when LeBron James left the Cavaliers.
The second program will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 and is a franchising workshop with Joel Libava, president of Franchise Selection Specialists Inc. in Cleveland. The workshop is titled “The What, When, Where, How & Why of Franchising.”
Libava, who is also known as "The Franchise King®" (www.thefranchiseking.com), will present a workshop on franchising that will answer the questions: Is franchising right for you?, What do you need to know?, What professional advisers do you need?, Can you obtain financing?, What are the risks? and How do you choose a franchise?
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that franchising sales accounted for $1.3 trillion (17 percent) of $7.7 trillion in total sales in 2007. Entrepreneur Magazine, January 2011, reported that "the companies in their Franchise 500 added more than 12,000 franchise units from 2009 to 2010.
Those wanting more information about the programs can contact Read Wakefield, director of the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Room 112, Ashland University Dauch College of Business & Economics, 401 College Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805, 419-289-5039 or rwakefie@ashland.edu.
