Joyce Wagner
In Motion Staff Writer
Photo By: Amber Boutot/ In Motion
Turning passion into a profitable future takes hard work and know-how. Daytona State College will host a seminar, The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, which will help participants develop a plan to achieve their goals and be successful. If you’re interested in starting a business, refreshing your entrepreneur skills, or setting yourself apart in your career field, plan to attend.
The event, sponsored by DSC’s L. Gale Lemerand’s Center for Entrepreneurship and the Small Business Development Center, features guest speakers and activity based workshops. “The success seminar is designed to focus on passion and to develop a career path,” said Ned Harper, Director of SBDC at DSC.
L. Gale Lemerand, a businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share, enabling others the opportunity to become entrepreneurs as well. Wanting to provide an opportunity for students of all ages and people from all walks of life to be inspired about entrepreneurship, he encourages them to participate in the national tour when it comes to DSC.
At forty, Lemerand made the bold decision to start an insulation subcontracting firm, which he ran out of a barn in Itasca, IL. His prior experience, selling business material then working his way through the ranks, helped him learn the operation from several positions. He said “Being in the right place at the right time, and surrounding myself with great people, that’s the key.
“I was in the business already calling on builders, and some primarily from the home insulation, so I did have some connections there.”
After becoming the largest insulation company in the country, Lemerand made the decision to sell to a Fortune 200 company. Retirement was not on the agenda; Lemerand went into the restaurant business instead.
Giving a few pointers on becoming an entrepreneur, Lemerand said, “The first thing is to get a good education. The next is try to determine you want to do in life and then go work for somebody as an employee and learn the business, then eventually leave and start your own business; kind of on the job training. I think it’s really wrong to try to go into business without knowing something about it.”
Harper also made a good point about education by saying, “A lot of you here are thinking mainly about a grade. When you go out there in the real world, they’re going to talk to you and if you don’t have the knowledge, but have an ‘A’, it’s not going to help you in your career.”
“Once success is achieved, surround yourself with some great people, with great work ethics who are honest, and reward them. Pay employees well, more than competitors would, but demand more,” suggests Lemerand. “Lead by example. I worked very hard, I still work very hard. I’m going to be 80 in May and still work 50 hours a week.” The reward for his hard work and success is in giving back. Several colleges and universities, including DSC, have been on the receiving end of his generosity.
Typically, entrepreneurs are risk takers. What makes them a success or failure depends largely on how prepared they are. The Extreme Entrepreneur Tour takes the guesswork out of the steps involved. The event takes place Wednesday, Nov. 13, 9 – 11:30 a.m. in bldg. 1200. Prizes and scholarships will be awarded. The 2-hour presentation is free and open to the public, reservations are encouraged. For more information, go to www.extremetour.org/daytonastate or call (386) 506 – 4723.