Need: To create economic sustainability for young people attending five area colleges

Action:  Now in its fifth year, the Saint Paul's College SIFE Entrepreneurship Conference is firmly established as a must-attend event for budding businesspeople in Southside Virginia.  The theme for the Conference was “Imagine Yourself as an Entrepreneur,” and in keeping with this year’s special goal – connecting and collaborating with other regional SIFE clubs – we invited teams from Regent University, Virginia State University, Hampton University, and Thomas Nelson Community College to participate. The venue for this year’s event was Regent University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, and with well over a hundred people in attendance, our 5^th Annual Conference was perhaps our most successful to date.  Virginia State University’s Ann Ragland was on board providing hands-on training on how to write a business plan.  Joining her was Financially Focused, Inc. President Mary Grate-Pyos, author of Wealthy Women – Wise Choices, who shared her experiences climbing the corporate ladder.  Ronald E. Bew, District Director for the Small Business Administration, was also on hand with a great SBA team to provide expert advice on obtaining loans and securing government contracts. And sharing their very special insights and experiences were representatives from Ashoka’s Youth Venture.  Joining business savvy with social conscience, these young “venturers” showed everyone at the Conference just what a life-transforming experience it can be when you “Imagine Yourself as an Entrepreneur.”    Results: Our conference has grown from 23 to over 180 students since 2005