Center for Entrepreneurship – News

MWSU Alumnus wins Auntie Anne’s franchise

sfowler4 — Fri, 31 May 2024 19:00:32 +0000

May 31, 2024–Caleb Keling, a 2024 graduate of the Craig School of Business at ��ý, was awarded an Auntie Anne’s franchise in the latest competition sponsored by ��ý Western’s Center for Franchise Development.

“This has been a goal of mine for quite some time now, junior year in high school to be specific,” Keling said. “I want to thank my family… everyone involved with the Craig School of Business and ��ý Western. Not only for giving me the opportunity to own a business but also giving me the skills to own that business.”

Keling, from St. Joseph, was a student in a senior-level Applied Business Ownership class this spring. Students in the class prepared business plans, and Keling presented his plan to a panel of judges that included Steven L. Craig, creator of the franchise competition, other business leaders and ��ý Western graduates who won franchises in previous years.

Keling graduated earlier this month with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a concentration in human resources. He completed a human resources internship at Clarios last fall. He has also been employed as a dance instructor at The Dance Arts Center, a choreographer at Central High School, a warehouse employee at Schneitter Fireworks and a photographer at DanceOut LLC. At ��ý Western, he was vice president of the Winter Guard and a member of the Honors Program.

The franchise awarded to Keling is the 35th store to be awarded through the program founded in 2009. Many of the alumni have expanded on their initial business: they currently own a total of 54 stores in 10 states, employing 724 people with annual sales of more than $34 million.

The Center for Franchise Development provides initial capital for the stores, which the alumni pay back over five years. The entrepreneurs also receive ongoing support from faculty members, the Craig School of Business Advisory Council, Craig and each other. Additionally, the owners are expected to donate a portion of their store’s proceeds back to the University. So far, the donations have totaled approximately $367,000.

��ý is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. ��ý Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

CFE hosts small business workshops in October with South St. Joseph Development

kheier — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:35:16 +0000

Sept. 27–Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn about small business ownership at a series of workshops held each Wednesday in October at the InterServ Community Center, 5400 King Hill Avenue in St. Joseph. The workshops are sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship in the Craig School of Business at ��ý and the South St. Joseph Development Corporation.

The free workshops will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday. Topics include:

Oct. 5: Simple Steps to Grow Your Business
Oct. 12: Standing Out on Social Media
Oct. 19: Protecting Your Business (Legal Issues and Technology)
Oct. 26: Bookkeeping/QuickBooks

Register for the small business workshops online at . For more information, call 816-271-4283 or email Miu Edlin at dsutton5@missouriwestern.edu.

��ý Western Nonprofit Summit scheduled Sept. 28

kheier — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:45:02 +0000

Jamie Grayson ’99 will keynote the Nonprofit Summit Sept. 28.

Sept. 21, 2022–��ý will host the 2022 Nonprofit Summit on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in the Blum Student Union. Registration for the day of workshops is $20 per person and includes lunch. To register, phone 816-271-4283, visit or email entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu.

The keynote speaker for the summit will be Jamie Grayson. Grayson is a 1999 graduate of ��ý Western and executive director and founder of People of All Colors Succeed. He will speak on “Telling Your Story.”

The summit will also include workshops on getting the most out of volunteers, marketing your organization, managing burnout and compassion fatigue, social media, fundraising for sustainability and grant writing.

The ��ý Western Nonprofit Summit is sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship in the Craig School of Business and the Center for Service.

CFE co-hosts Latino Business Seminar Sept. 22

kheier — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 21:04:48 +0000

Sept. 19, 2022–The Center for Entrepreneurship at ��ý is co-hosting a Latino Business Seminar at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at InterServ, 5400 King Hill Ave. in St. Joseph. The seminar is free and open to the public.

A free dinner will be provided at 6 p.m. The program will begin at 6:30 and feature a welcome from Maria Ramirez Braiz of Te Lo Cuento News, an entrepreneur highlight with Zulima Lugo-Knapp, and a panel discussion with representatives from US Bank, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Entrepreneurship, Holy Rosary Credit Union and the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation of Greater Kansas City. The panel will take questions from the audience.

The event is co-sponsored by Te Lo Cuento News Kansas City-St. Joseph, Latinos Connect, the Center for Entrepreneurship and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact the Center for Entrepreneurship at 816-271-4283.

Center for Entrepreneurship honors Thevenot, Tripp

kheier — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 20:29:54 +0000

March 18. 2022–The Center for Entrepreneurship in the Craig School of Business presented two individuals with the Entrepreneur of the Year and Emerging Entrepreneur Awards at the 2022 Entrepreneurship Week Capstone Business Luncheon Friday, March 18.

Martial Thevenot, Entrepreneur of the Year

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors an entrepreneur who has been in business for more than five years for their professional achievements and civic contributions to their local community.

With his family, Martial Thevenot leads a group of socially conscious businesses known as Team Perka. Born in Canada, Thevenot earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brock University in Ontario and a degree in common law from the University of Ottawa. A father of three and grandfather of three (with a fourth on the way), he is past president of the South Side St. Joseph Rotary Club and current president of the Performing Arts Association Board. Thevenot is a past board member of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art.

Stephanie Tripp, Emerging Entrepreneur

The Emerging Entrepreneur Award honors an entrepreneur who has been in business for five years or less for their professional achievements and civic contributions to their local community.

Stephanie Tripp was raised in Maysville, ��ý. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from ��ý Western in 2012 and a master’s in educational administration from UMKC in 2015. She returned to ��ý Western to obtain a degree in business management, and in 2016 became a franchisee of Auntie Anne’s in St. Joseph through the Craig School of Business Applied Entrepreneurship Program. She now owns four franchise businesses in St. Joseph, Branson, ��ý, and Kansas City, Kansas, and will add two more locations next year inside the new terminal of the Kansas City International Airport. She and her husband Nick have two children.

��ý is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for

lives of excellence through applied learning. ��ý Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Entrepreneurship Week features free workshops, capstone lunch

kheier — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 15:00:49 +0000

March 1, 2022–The Craig School of Business Center for Entrepreneurship will host Entrepreneurship Week, a series of workshops and events March 14-18 at ��ý. The weeklong program is designed for local business professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, college students, and those curious about the skills needed to run a small business.

Experts and business professors will offer small, personalized sessions at various times throughout the week on topics like writing a business plan, increasing sales, marketing your business, understanding your financials, and more. In addition to the in-person sessions, two free self-paced online workshops will be offered: Starting an Online Store and Taking Better Photographs.

All of the sessions are open to the community and students. Registration is required. You can register online at or by calling or emailing the Center for Entrepreneurship, 816-271-4283 or entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu.

The week will also feature a special edition of Cup of Joe, which will take place at at the Fulkerson Center on Wednesday, March 16. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and presentations start at 9 a.m.

Randy Roth, Hillyard, Inc.

The final day of Entrepreneurship Week, Friday, March 18, is the capstone business luncheon. Speakers include Steven L. Craig, entrepreneur and benefactor of the Craig School of Business, and Randy Roth, chief sales officer at Hillyard, Inc. The Entrepreneur of the Year and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year will be recognized.

The cost of the Capstone Lunch is $20, and reservations are required.

Entrepreneurship Week is sponsored by Tolly & Associates Insurance Agency; Sumner, Carter, Hardy & Schwichtenberg, PC; Murphy, Taylor, Siemens & Elliot, PC; and St. Joseph Title.

Entrepreneurship Week activities include Capstone Luncheon with Joe Gray

kheier — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 17:23:11 +0000

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June 25, 2021–The Craig School of Business Center for Entrepreneurship will host Entrepreneurship Week, a series of workshops and events July 12-16 at ��ý. The weeklong program is designed for local business professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, college students, and those curious about the skills needed to run a small business.

Experts and business professors will offer small, personalized sessions at various times throughout the week. Sessions include “How to Write a Business Plan” with Annette Weeks, “Protecting Your Business” with Tolly & Associates and Murphy, Taylor, Siemens & Elliot, PC, “Increase Your Sales” with Professor Casey Bell, “Quickbooks” with Sumner, Carter, Hardy & Schwichtenberg, PC, “Creating a Marketing Plan” with Dr. Phillip Frank, “Social Media for Small Business Owners” with Miu Edlin and more.

All of the sessions are open to the community and students. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is preferred. You can register online at or by calling or emailing the Center for Entrepreneurship, 816-271-4283 or entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu.

The week will also feature a special edition of Cup of Joe, which will take place at Restoration Natatorium, 117 Francis Street, downtown St. Joseph on Wednesday, July 14. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and presentations start at 9 a.m.

The final day of Entrepreneurship Week, Friday, July 16, is the capstone business luncheon. Guest speaker Joe Gray will be interviewed by Steven L. Craig, entrepreneur and benefactor of the Craig School of Business.

Gray was born in St. Joseph in 1922. After graduating from ��ý Western’s forerunner, St. Joseph Junior College, in 1942, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1944. After two years in the Navy and defense-related jobs in Baltimore and at the Pentagon, Gray returned to St. Joseph and co-founded Gray Manufacturing in 1952. The family-owned lift jack manufacturer continues to thrive today as a key element of St. Joseph’s economy.

Gray currently serves as chairman emeritus of both Gray Manufacturing and Vektek, Inc. of Emporia, Kansas, a company he founded in 1974 and sold in 2016. In addition to his success as a businessman, Gray has been an active member of the St. Joseph community, serving as Chamber of Commerce president, board member of the St. Joseph Library, founding member of the ��ý Western Foundation’s Clocktower Society, founding member of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Northwest ��ý and as a patron and donor to most St. Joseph arts organizations over the years.

The lunch featuring Gray and Craig will be held at noon July 16 in the Fulkerson Center. Tickets for lunch are $20 and must be purchased in advance. Because seating is limited, reservations are recommended prior to July 12.

At the luncheon, winners of the Emerging Entrepreneur and Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced. The awards recognize two outstanding entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship Week is sponsored by Tolly & Associates Insurance Agency; Sumner, Carter, Hardy & Schwichtenberg, PC; and Murphy, Taylor, Siemens & Elliot, PC. For more information or to register for any of the events, call the Center for Entrepreneurship office at 816-271-4283 or email entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu. You can also visit the CFE website at

Center for Entrepreneurship partners with Chamber on business succession workshops

kheier — Fri, 21 May 2021 13:52:08 +0000

May 21, 2021–��ý Center for Entrepreneurship and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce are partnering on a program to promote and encourage transition of successful businesses to new ownership.

The goal of “Business SUCCESSion” is to reach business owners who want to transition out of their business now or in the near future and also reach the entrepreneurs that are looking to get into an existing business.

“We have many inquiries of people wanting to buy a business. Often an existing business is a great option for new entrepreneurs because they already offer existing income, clients and structure,” said Annette Weeks, executive director at the Center for Entrepreneurship

The Business SUCCESSion series will offer four free webinars that will be conducted through Zoom and broadcast on Facebook Live. The recordings will be housed on the Chamber and Center for Entrepreneurship’s website.

Webinars for sellers all on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.:

Preparing to Sell Your Business Webinar Series

June 1 – Business Succession Planning – Annette Weeks, Center for Entrepreneurship

June 8 – Business Valuation, Tax Consequences, Preparing Your Financial Documents – Matt Robertson, CLA

June 15 – Ways to Legally Structure a Transition – Ken Siemens, MTSE

A webinar for buyers also will be held in person from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chamber, lunch provided. Registration required at or email entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu.

Buying a Business Workshop

June 22 – Steps to Buying a Business & Tour of Available Businesses – Annette Weeks, Center for Entrepreneurship

More information will be released on tour stops closer to the event. For more information, contact the Center for Entrepreneurship or the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

CFE hosts small business workshop in south St. Joseph

kheier — Fri, 14 May 2021 21:10:41 +0000

May 14, 2021–The Center for Entrepreneurship in the Craig School of Business at ��ý is hosting a workshop in south St. Joseph for small business owners. The workshops are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

The workshop, in partnership with the St. Joseph Southside Development Corporation, will be on “Ways to Improve Your Business” through product, marketing, and technology. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 in the Interserv Commons Area, 5400 King Hill Ave. in St. Joseph. Lunch will be provided.

To register, email entrepreneurship@missouriwestern.edu or call 816-271-5682.

Regional entrepreneurship agencies gather at MWSU

kheier — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 18:09:59 +0000

Feb. 8, 2021–Agencies from northwest ��ý and northeast Kansas that support the development of entrepreneurship in the region will gather at ��ý this week to discuss ways of working together.

“Each community is unique, but we all of us who facilitate entrepreneurship have some common challenges and opportunities as well,” said Annette Weeks, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in ��ý Western’s Craig School of Business. “This will be a good opportunity to come together and discuss those common challenges while expanding the resources available to entrepreneurs in our community.”

In addition to the Center for Entrepreneurship, participants in the meeting will come from Northeast Kansas Enterprise Facilitation, Northcentral ��ý Business Facilitation, Northwest ��ý Enterprise Facilitation, and LINK Business Facilitation of the Liberty Economic Development Corporation.

The day will start Wednesday, Feb. 10, with the weekly Cup of Joe gathering at 9 a.m. at the Restoration Natatorium, 117 Francis Street in Downtown St. Joseph. At 10:15, participants will meet at ��ý Western’s Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator to discuss ways they can share ideas, clients and resources. The meeting will last the rest of the day and will also include several resource partners, including the US Department of Agriculture, Digital Sandbox, the Department of Economic Development, ��ý Enterprise, the Northwest ��ý Regional Council of Governments and the Inventors Club of Kansas City.

The gathering is part of the ��ý Western received last year from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to support the launch of the Regional Economic Vitality consortium.