OXFORD – Spurred by the idea of connecting business newcomers to the know-how of experienced entrepreneurs, a newly formed committee will host an informal entrepreneur roundtable event starting at 7 p.m. Thursday inside Oxford Academy Primary School’s multipurpose room.
The event will be open to anyone with a mind for business and the desire to bring original ideas into fruition. A number of local business owners and entrepreneurs will be in attendance to discuss the ins and outs of running their business, and to answer questions.
The purpose, according to Oxford Academy Superintendent Shawn Bissetta, is to encourage conversations among youth and adults which foster creativity and innovation.
“It’s a chance to talk about ideas, even small ideas, that could have a huge benefit to the community,” Bissetta said. “This is a way that we can encourage each other in the areas of business and entrepreneurship that we can control in order to make the community a better place.”
During the event, roundtable presenters will share a brief overview of their business, followed by informal discussions that give participants further insight regarding the ups and downs of business ownership.
“People will be able to talk to business owners to find out what’s worked well for them, along with some of the challenges they’ve faced and what they’ve learned as entrepreneurs,” Bissetta added.
Presenters include: Sarah Smith with Bill Troxell of Strong Stone Pottery; Heather Bartle of Bartles Pharmacy; Rusty Smith of the Little Boys Shop; Jan Ireland and Rick Warner of Canal Street Hardware; Peter Van Buiten of Oxford Maple Products; and Lori Johnson of Oxford Grooming.
Also participating will be Dominick Recckio, a social entrepreneur and student educator from Ithaca. Recckio was a participant of a previous entrepreneur event hosted at Oxford Academy in December. That event, however, was presented in a formal presentation style which event organizers say deprived participants the face-to-face interactions they need to get their ideas off the ground.
“This new interactive environment will give a sense of what’s inportant to fledgling entrepreneurs and business people,” said event committee member David Emerson. “Our hope is that a roundtable event like this, where there isn’t much presentation but lots of conversation, will give people a better opportunity to talk about their ideas and dreams in an casual way.”
“We don’t want this event to just be about starting a business. We want it to be about creative ideas to make the community a better place and to give people an opportunity,” Bissetta added. “We want people, students and community members, to be able to hear the process of starting a business or initiative. They have to know that there are career opportunities for them, and develop relationships with people who can be a mentor.”
The entrepreneur roundtable is the second event presented by a working group of leaders and networkers from all sectors of greater Chenango County, including the Oxford Academy Central School District, Town and Village of Oxford, Commerce Chenango, local business persons, and other local foundations, community organizations, and higher education.
The committee is currently coordinating a third event featuring keynote presenter and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little that will be held later this month.