Fox School Young Alumni Panelists Discuss What Makes a Successful Venture
On January 27, 2016, Temple University’s Fox School of Business held a panel discussion on the challenges and victories of new entrepreneurs.
Organized by Temple’s Young Alumni Association (TUYA), the event was part of the ongoing Temple Made Entrepreneur series.
Latisha Brinson, who graduated from the Fox School of Business in 2008, is the vice president of TUYA. Describing the event, she said, “[Our goal is] … to increase active student engagement and highlight the business successes of our young alumni. The panel was comprised of Joseph Green (Fox, ’12), CEO of Affinity Confections; Dylan Baird (Fox, ’12), chief executive of Philly Foodworks; and Rachel Furman, (Fox, ’12), the CEO of Mouth2Mouth Beauty.
The panelists shared their journeys on their respective paths to forming their companies. Furman, whose venture offers socially responsible beauty products, acknowledged the foundation that the Fox program provided. “This was where I found someone other than my family and friends who could connect with my dreams.”
Joseph Green arrived at the inception of his company by developing two different business plans in vastly disparate fields. He knew that whichever one became successful, the risks would be far more satisfying than the pursuit of a traditional role in a corporate position. He said, “To me it’s the same gamble…only the payoff is more direct and more beneficial to you because you’ve put in that sweat equity.”
Dylan Baird offered his experience in identifying priorities in the formation of his business. He described the valuable knowledge that he received from a trusted colleague, who encouraged him in such practical matters as investing capital in certain resources over others, like a truck for deliveries, as opposed to office furniture.
Dwight Carey, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Temple, closed the event by saying, “Why wait? Ask yourself why you aren’t doing it already… You can do it because the desire is within each of you”.
About the Author
Maggie Boccella
Maggie Boccella, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. She has consulted on various film and multimedia projects, and she also serves as a juror for the city's annual LGBTQIA Film Festival.
