Community Workshop Series
The HTEL Community Workshop Series is a semesterly event that connects our lab directors, business faculty, lab mentors and mentees, and local community leaders in our entrepreneurship ecosystem together to work through unique obstacles to starting and developing new ventures.
The events are held on the last weekend of each semester and based around a series of novel panel discussions on various themes that are salient to transitional entrepreneurs (i.e., entrepreneurs from or serving locally underserved communities). We believe the knowledge within these themes provided at and generated through these ongoing events is our unique addition to the broader Hampton Roads entrepreneurship ecosystem. While many events or training programs are available for local entrepreneurs, ours has a research-oriented foundation and is solely focused on issues unique to socio-economically marginalized entrepreneurs.
Recent panel themes and workshop activities have been based on; Entrepreneurship and Family Dynamics, Managing Side Hustles, At Risk Youth, Crime, and entrepreneurial aptitudes, entrepreneurial uncertainty and religious faith, and many more. See some of clips from recent workshops below.
Professional Development Workshop
Attendees were divided into three groups, each led by Dr. Robert Pidduck, Sharon Scannell, Tim Ryan, and James Doe. They discussed the problems that a transitional entrepreneur faces while running a new venture in the Hampton Roads Area. Common problems such as financing, getting a loan approved from the bank, legal procedures, bookkeeping, access to various software, hiring/retaining employees, selling products/services, market research, and social media presence were discussed.
Innovate Hampton Roads
Tim Ryan, the Executive Director of Innovate Hampton Roads, talks about his venture and the situation of entrepreneurship in the Hampton Roads Area.
Lab Mentee Show and Tell
Aletha Russel from She's Steamy, Cindy R Earl from Proof Please, Shalika Young from Restore Hope, and Dr. Jay O'Toole were on the panel discussing how the lab works with the local entrepreneurs and how it has helped them grow their ventures further. To the right are some of the clips from the discussion.
Family Dynamics and Entrepreneurship Panel
Simone Dreher from Dreams of Hope Foundation and her husband, Coy Dreher, Aletha Russel from Restore Hope and her husband, Calvin Young, and Sharon Scannel form the Strome Entrepreneurial Lab at Old Dominion University were the speakers in this panel. The discussed how family plays an important role when starting up and operating a business. Below are some of the clips from the discussion.
At-Risk Youths and Entrepreneurship
Darrel Redmond, Terry Banner, and Michael Rogers were the speakers in this panel. They talk about their past experiences, how the youths are at risk today and entrepreneurship. Below are some clips form the discussion.
Side Hustlers: Entrepreneur Versus Entrepreneurial Panel
Passion Studivant, the director at Student Support Services at the Old Dominion University, Michael Rogers and LaMonte Williams of MyCFO LLC were the speakers in this panel. Below are some clips from the discussion.
Legal Considerations for Transitional Entrepreneurs
Jasmin Mullen Allen discussed about legal issues with intellectual property in this discussion along with Dr. Jay O'Toole. Below are some clips from this discussion.
Insider vs Outsider Dynamics: The Pros and Cons
Dr. Robert Pidduck explains his journey from Oxfordshire, to Ningbo, China, and all the way to Oklahoma, USA. He also shares his insights from his research on Otherness and its factors. Also, Sharon Scannell talks about how being an outsider feels like in a venture. She also talks about her semiconductor industry in the 80s and speaks about the hardships she had to face during that time.
Dr. Rhett Epler on Marketing
Dr. Epler and Dr. Pidduck discuss about the differences between modern and traditional marketing. They also share their thoughts on different modes of payment that needs to be made available for customers to make payments for their purchase. Also, they share their opinions how ChatGPT and AI have been helping businesses to apply efficient marketing techniques.
Dr. Mohan and Virtual Reality
Dr. Mohan showcases various types of virtual reality (VR) gears to the attendees. He also explains how VR can be used in various forms of businesses to give customers better understanding of the business
Importance of Networking and Contracting
Local entrepreneur Cindy R Earl, founder of Proof Please LLC, along with Dr. Jay discuss the importance of networking and contracting as an entrepreneur. Cindy also explains her desire to help people in need with legal matters.