Workshops

The Center for Entrepreneurship provides a variety of workshops and events designed to provide hands-on information and planning tools for both novice and experienced entrepreneurs. This ongoing series covers topics from the exploratory stage of learning what entrepreneurship is, through the fundamental elements of putting together a business plan. Madison College students are eligible to enter the Madison College Challenge business plan competition and compete for cash and in-kind prizes, including a $5,000 grand prize.  

Events are free to Madison College students and to the general public unless otherwise noted. Entrepreneurs from communities surrounding Madison, Wisconsin are encouraged to attend. 

Attendees can park in any marked stall in the student parking lot. View our campus map.

Spring 2019 Schedule

Freelancing in the Gig Economy with Matt Nelson

Tuesday, March 26

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Truax Campus, D1630B

 

In this first of three workshops, you'll learn how 54 million Americans representing 1/3 of the entire workforce are participating in the gig economy. We'll cover the basics of getting started around the following topics: 

• Is freelancing right for me? 
• Getting organized for independent work. 
• Most in-demand skills for freelancers. 
• Honing your products and/or services. 
• Building your portfolio and branding yourself. 
• Tools and resources for freelancers. 

Register

Mastering your Mindset with Jodi Goldbeck

Wednesday, March 27

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Truax Campus, D1630B

 

Maintaining a positive outlook does not always come naturally.  The good news is that having an optimistic mindset is like a muscle- you must continuously train it in order for it to grow and be effective. Join Jodi Goldbeck, faculty member at Madison College who has been studying the topic of gratitude, optimism and well-being for over two years, as she describes techniques to master your mindset and live a more meaningful life. Discover how to live more fully in the present, develop resilience techniques to get you through the difficult days and set goals to maintain positivity.

 

Register

 

Lunch & Learn: What can WWBIC do for you with Andrea Hughes

Tuesday, April 2

12:30-1:30 p.m.

South Campus, SM137

 

Learn about WWBIC’s services, including business education courses and business loans.  Interested in starting or expanding your business and don’t know where to start?  This session will introduce you to the range of support offered by WWBIC for small businesses like yours, including high quality business and financial education classes and access to fair capital to grow your business. 

 

Register

 

How to be resourceful and innovative to grow your business with Dione Laufenberg

Tuesday, April 2

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Truax Campus, D1630B

 

he business world is ever changing therefore your vision and strategy must also change if you want to see growth.  The business plan you start with is based on the current climate, trends and your hypothesis of what your target customer want or need. Once you have established your business and opened your shop, you need to be constantly gathering data, feedback and adjusting your concept per your actual sales.   With over ten years in the wellness/beauty industry Dione has had to find ways to stay on top of the latest trends.  She grew her Boutique day spa business during the toughest financial climate.  With a new product based e-commerce business, she is once again finding innovative solutions to fulfill her customer’s needs. 

 

Register

 

Lunch & Learn: SCORE and the Importance of Mentorship with Jorge Antezena and Antonio Molina Rivas

Monday, April 8

12:30-1:30 p.m.

South Campus, SM137

 

Learn more about SCORE, a local resource that can help you with your business start -up.  Learn more about what SCORE can help you with and learn about the importance of mentorship. 

 

Register

Lunch & Learn: Life Hacks for Stress with Lisa Lanting

Tuesday, April 9

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Truax Campus, E1874

 

This is an interactive presentation so please bring a phone or mobile device. 

 

Gain a new perspective on work/life balance and burnout. Using a fun, interactive, game format with anonymous polling via mobile device, this session offers fast, easy techniques to “hack” your body’s stress response in order to feel strong, calm, and resilient under pressure. We will explore cutting-edge research on chronic stress, which offers new insights on how to work with our autonomic nervous system to prevent burnout. At the end of this lunch and learn, all participants will receive a sample script with short practices that they can use in meetings, in presentations, before and after difficult conversations, with children, while stuck in traffic… anytime, anywhere. 

Register

Lunch & Learn: Social Media and Your Startup with Steve Noll

Friday, April 12

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Truax Campus, E1874

 

Social Media is a critical part of a Small Business Marketing plan. Learn how to integrate tools like Facebook into establishing and growing an online presence for your business. Getting new likes/fans, content creation, paid vs free advertising and using Social Media PR will be covered (and more) to help make sure your business can launch with customers on day one. 

 

Register