What: University of North Texas Entrepreneurs Boot Camp — Students and community members are invited to apply for a series of workshops offering guidance on how to build a successful business. Application deadline is May 6 (Tuesday).
When: 6 to 9:30 p.m. June 5, 12, 19 and 26 and July 3 (Thursdays) with final business plan presentation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12 (Saturday)
Where: Business Leadership Building, 1307 W. Highland St.
Cost: $250 for UNT students or $600 for members of the community. Cost of registration covers up to two people from each company.
Contact: 940-565-2848 or murphycenter@unt.edu
DENTON (UNT), Texas — University of North Texas student and fashion designer Priscilla Montez found her passion designing one-of-a-kind handbags, wallets, watchbands and more. She knew how to fashion leather into stylish products, but she needed the know-how to turn her talent into a successful business.
What was her target audience? How could she reach her potential buyers? How could she interest investors?
Montez learned that and more in UNT's Entrepreneurs Boot Camp last year. The camp, offered through the UNT Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business, features a series of workshops led by several successful entrepreneurs. Boot campers are teamed with UNT graduate students who help them develop business plans. Community members and students are invited to apply for this year's Entrepreneurs Boot Camp, held June 5 through July 12 on UNT's campus.
"This is for anyone who has an entrepreneurial venture in mind – whether it's a for-profit or a social venture," said Tony Mendes, director of the UNT Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship, who will facilitate the sessions with the help of Nancy Hong, executive director of UNT's Innovation Greenhouse. "On July 12, they will present their plans to advisors and potential investors, and that's an opportunity to get feedback from people who may have an interest in helping them."
The camp, now in its fifth year, will feature sessions on:
- Opportunity Identification and Assessment
- Feasibility Analysis
- Resources Needed to Build a Successful Venture
- Writing "The Business Plan"
- Implementing the Business Plan
- Presenting the Business Opportunity
To be considered for the camp, participants must:
- Attend all workshops
- Complete the business plan with assistance from student teams
- Consider filing for business status in the state of Texas upon completion of the boot camp
- Present the final business plan to a panel of investors, mentors and entrepreneurial experts
Montez earned second place and $10,000 in seed money for her business idea — Priscilla Montez Designs — at UNT's 2013 New Venture Creation Contest, hosted by the UNT Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship.
"For small start-ups like mine, this boot camp has served as a building block to develop a foundation and prepared me to get in front of angel investors to pitch my business plan," said Montez, who expects to graduate in August and plans to continue to grow her business. "The boot camp has been my motivation, and educated me on how to define my business objectives and strategies vital for my long-term business goals."
About UNT's College of Business
With more than 5,500 students, UNT's College of Business is one of the largest business schools in the nation and has been continuously accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International since 1961.
With 103 full-time faculty members, the college offers 16 undergraduate degrees, 22 master's degrees, seven doctoral programs and 17 certificate programs. Five centers and institutes in the College of Business create synergy among scholarship, research and teaching. Classes take place in the new 180,000-square-foot Business Leadership Building, which opened in 2011.
Students enhance their learning experience through student organizations, study abroad programs, internships and the Professional Leadership Program to develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's technological and global business environment.