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Monday, February 23, 2009

SALINA ENTREPRENUERS SPEAK WITH STUDENTS ON THE K-STATE AT SALINA CAMPUS

Salina – Lee Young, Salina Vortex; Trace Walker, Blue Beacon; and Roy Applequist, Great Plains Manufacturing all Salina-area entrepreneurs spoke to over 40 students and answered questions during a panel discussion on Wednesday, February 18. The panel discussion was part of a week long celebration of Entrepreneurship organized by K-State at Salina group, Students In Free Enterprise.

Pictured: (Left to Right) Lee Young, Trace Walker, Roy Applequist

Students learned about the tools needed to become an entrepreneur and received insight on how these business leaders started their companies by offering something different or unique to their customers. Applequist, President of Great Plains Manufacturing said, “I think a lot of times people start a business based on some invention or some idea they have. The idea is only 10 percent. You need the thing that is unique to get you going, but there’s a lot more to it.”

Students heard from the panel that you need to have enthusiasm and passion for your product to be successful. Young, CEO of Salina Vortex, said “It starts with passion and enthusiasm about what you’re doing. If you’re not enthusiastic and you don’t have passion for what you’re doing, I doubt you’ll be successful.”

The panel also talked about how it is important to enjoy what you are doing because long hours are sometimes required. Walker, President of Blue Beacon, added “I’ve been in business thirty-some years…I can’t remember a day that I didn’t want to go to work.”