Published Mar 12, 2012 at 3:00 am (Updated Mar 11, 2012)
Article from Union Leader
MANCHESTER — The U.S. Small Business Administration, N.H. High Technology Council, Stay Work Play N.H. and N.H. Small Business Development Center hold a Young Entrepreneur Series event at the University of New Hampshire Manchester Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
U.S. SBA Acting Regional Administrator Bob Nelson and N.H. District Director Greta Johansson will welcome the audience to participate in a moderated dialogue with a panel of young entrepreneurs.
Panelists will share their personal stories, business tips and lessons learned. They are:
Lisa Campbell, NUThin' but GOOD TIMES! LLC. In February 2011, Lisa Campbell started NUThin' but GOOD TIMES! with a strong business plan and a can do attitude. NUThin' but GOOD TIMES! is a large indoor play space catered to all families. Lisa created an environment that is all about kids having fun, engaging in active play in a safe and clean environment while also allowing parents to relax and socialize in a comfy and cozy environment.
Allison Grappone – NEARBY Registry LLC. In November 2011, Allison Grappone jumped into being a full-time entrepreneur by becoming the CEO of NEARBY Registry. NEARBY Registry is an online shopping and gift registry service for local businesses and will launch in the spring 2012.
Allison won the 2011 Manchester Young Professional Network's “New Hampshire Start-Up Challenge.” She was awarded $25,000 in cash and in-kind services. Presently her business is housed at the abi Innovation hub in Manchester.
Josh Heinzl – Josh's Toys & Games. In 2004, Josh Heinzl was the captain of a robotics team, the New England Robotics Designers (The NERDS). Through buying Lego sets, Josh was able to get the items he and his team needed and sold the rest. By selling the unneeded parts, Josh not only funded the team inventory, but he started to turn a profit. On Oct. 10, 2008, Josh opened his first retail store, Josh's Toys and Games in the Pheasant Lane Mall, Nashua. Now, at the age of 18, Josh currently employs roughly 20 associates across three retail stores and operates an online distribution business.
Gerard Murphy, Mosaic Storage Systems, Inc. In March 2011, Gerard Murphy co-founded Mosaic with Andy Young. Gerard earned his MBA and has more than 10 years of sales and marketing experience for a variety of startups. Gerard was a photographer and was frustrated with the tools on the market. He and Andy launched Mosaic to enhance serious photographers' workflow by giving them access to the tools they already use from any device.
The event will be held at UNH Manchester Auditorium, 400 Commercial St., third floor, Manchester.
There is no charge for this event, but please register by today at www.nhsbdc.org/events.
According to SBA, the program's aims are to:
Bring together leading young entrepreneurs, youth advocacy organizations and government experts to listen, address critical challenges and formulate public policy measures needed to move the young entrepreneur's business agenda to the next level;
Connect young entrepreneurs to each other, the federal government and other economic development resources;
Engage young people to discuss entrepreneurship and Internships;
Highlight the accomplishments of young entrepreneurs.
With youth unemployment twice the national average in many communities, SBA recognizes a need to promote and better support the efforts of young people looking to create jobs – for themselves and others. Young entrepreneurs are a dynamic resource for national recovery and economic growth, SBA said.
Article from Union Leader