2006 Entrepreneurship Education FORUM

Meet Six Unique Entrepreneurs from Phoenix
Concurrent Sessions on Sunday, Nov 5

PETER J BURNS

My entire business life has been immersed in entrepreneurship, having started the first of over 100 companies at the age of 19, while a freshman at the University of Virginia.

Fate brought me to Phoenix at the threshold of its own re-birth as the "mecca of entrepreneurship" and I've now come full circle by being given the privilege of teaching entrepreneurship at Barrett Honors College, at Arizona State University…just as I was taught at the University of Virginia 29 years ago.

Now I am launched in the development of the first ever College of Entrepreneurship as part of Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Please join me to discuss ideas for helping young people "catch the entrepreneurial fever".

RICK CANEZ

Rick Cañez has been in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. Rick began his career playing drums and touring with various bands of all musical styles. When not touring, he began D-Jing parties and weddings. Turning Professional DJ in 1990 he formed Lunadisc Entertainment. Having performed at over 1,700 events including weddings, corporate and private parties, Lunadisc focuses on the large Latino market in Arizona. In 2006 he expanded his company to include concert and event promotion. The new venture, Lunadisc Entertainment Group, also focuses but is not limited to the Latino base.

Rick has learned from all these experiences how to survive as an entrepreneur. The lessons, people and rewards are something regular 9 to 5 workers cannot relate to because of the "system" of corporate America. Rick hopes to show others that it can be done a different way and that the personal rewards are much more fulfilling.

Rick will discuss his over 25 year journey through Corporate America's misunderstanding of what an entrepreneur is and does. How being a minority helped and hurt his business and what it takes to become an entrepreneur. He will talk about what the schools can do to partner up with businesses and individuals to encourage students to at least look at entrepreneurship as a career move.

MIKE HAHN

Mike Hahn is one of three founders and currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for Verdict Systems. Verdict Systems develops Sanction Legal Presentation Software. Sanction is used by legal professionals to organize and present evidence in trial. Sanction is used by the United States Department of Justice and the United Nations. In addition, thousands of attorneys in firms of all sizes rely on this product to present their cases.

Mike's primary responsibility with Verdict Systems is organizing the trial services division of the company. This division supplies technology consultants to assist attorneys with computer-based presentations in trials and arbitrations. Armed with Sanction, Verdict Systems' software package, Mike spent most of his time in trial during the early stages of the company. Ranging from designing PowerPoint presentations to helping organize exhibits and operating Sanction is court, Mike assisted in all aspects of evidence presentation. His trial experience spans every type of case you can try, working for both plaintiffs and defendants. Now most of his time is spent traveling throughout the U.S. speaking about technology training firms how to implement Sanction in their practice.

Mike's background is a combination of technical and communications. He has a B.A. in mathematics from Baylor University and a degree in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University. Prior to entering the world of hi-tech trials, Mike was a broadcaster working for radio stations in Phoenix and Denver. His radio work in Denver consisted of sports reporting, covering professional and collegiate teams in the Denver area. Needing a change of pace, Mike began his trial services career in Denver assisting with animations and video editing for the prosecution and conviction of Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh was convicted for his role in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

DANIELLE HAMPSON

Founder of The Art of Networking (T.A.N.) a Scottsdale, AZ, based business networking organization that promotes good networking skills and the value of building strong relationships. Now in pre-launch is T.E.N. "Teen Entrepreneur Network" - the teenage version of T.A.N. - to help students better prepare for the business world.

As a true entrepreneur, Ms Hampson is also the founder of Arizona Web TV, a web based television network which broadcasts "EduTaining" programs for all ages and promotes the positive side of life.

Email Danielle

MARIA SIMONE

Maria Simone is Founder and CEO of Signature Accents (www.cityscarves.com), creators of City Scarves and City Ties, with products selling into Macy's, Bloomingdales, hotel and upscale gift shops.

Simone is also managing partner of DreamScout, an Arizona-based business development firm specializing in start-up companies. She has assisted hundreds of entrepreneurs with business planning and growth, sequencing, capital formation, product development, manufacturing and distribution. Simone's consulting focuses on "conscious capitalism" and is a trainer for IBI Global, an international entrepreneurial training and networking organization.

When she earned her BS degree in Clinical Pharmacy from St. John's University, Simone began her career in business development roles for several large health-related organizations eventually leading her to manage several multi-million dollar accounts. Contact Maria Simone directly: simone@dreamscout.com or 415-927-7174

NORMA STRANGE

Norma S. Strange is a true creative visionary with an unusual balance of creativity and business practicality. She's been in the marketing industry for over 17 years. The past 11 years, she's led her branding and marketing firm, Strange View, to help speakers and authors develop a unique brand, build credibility, market more effectively and ultimately increase their sales revenue. Strange simplifies the process of self-publishing and helps her clients develop strategies for increasing their market effectiveness and profitability. Her experience was gained creating marketing communications for some of the largest corporations - Motorola, Apple, IBM, Digital, Compaq, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Panasonic. She enjoys bringing this big company marketing knowledge to entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses.

She's a published illustrator of her own children's book series. Her Our KidsPak® characters educate children to have a healthy self esteem and strong character foundation. Strange enjoys public speaking challenging her audiences to think more creatively while learning marketing education concepts on their way to being more effective. She empowers people of all ages to achieve their dreams. Her quick wit, unique sense-of-humor and creative style leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets. Her philosophy is "If you want to stand out from the crowd, Make It Strange!"

www.strangeview.com and www.swakpak.com

Return to FORUM PROGRAM