GOOD NEWS: Center for Women launches “Founder’s Lab”

Have you thought about starting your own business, but just don’t know where to start? The path to your entrepreneurial future begins with Founder’s Lab, a new program through the S.C. Women’s Business Center (SCWBC) at the Center for Women. Founder’s Lab will take place in the Charleston, Columbia and Greenville areas where the C4W currently has Women’s Business Center offices.

“We created Founder’s Lab to be the launching pad for women in the state of South Carolina who want to start a business,” says Shauna Mackenzie, SCWBC Program Consultant at the Center for Women. “Our goal when designing this event was for attendees to be able to walk in with just an idea and walk out with an action plan, a business blueprint, personalized strategic coaching, and all the resources they would need to get started immediately. “

The pilot course is set for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 16 at The Harbor Entrepreneur Center in downtown Charleston. This program is for any aspiring entrepreneur and will cost $75, which includes dinner, an official SCWBC resource guide, a presentation, speed-coaching and three free business coaching sessions. Some major benefits of attending include:

• The lab is held once a quarter in each city;
• It begins with a 60-minute inspirational presentation on how to ready yourself as an entrepreneur, an outline of the tools, resources and financials you’ll need to start your venture, and what to expect in your first year in business.
• Following the presentation, you get hands-on mentorship from successful business owners and coaches during our hour-long speed-coaching, which includes two rounds of personalized feedback in areas where you need immediate advice.

• For more information and to register, please call (843) 763-7333 or go to www.c4women.org/scwbc

Other good news:

Fairey works on display at Terrace. Two works by native-born, nationally-known artist Shepard Fairey will be on display in the lobby of The Terrace Theater on James Island as a result of the artist’s response to a request by the theater.

“Studio Number One, Obey Giant Art, and Shepard Fairey were thoroughly positive about the idea of Shepard’s work being displayed at the Terrace.  It was an email and a letter, and they were right behind it,” says an ecstatic Terrace Theater owner Paul Brown.

The two artist’s proofs are indicative of the truly independent style of the Terrace and most importantly, Shepard Fairey.

“Music by David Lynch is a work from 2015 and as the Terrace has constantly supported the work of Mr. Lynch, it is a natural fit.  I was so happy they agreed to send this piece,” Brown said. The other work, Oh Susanna, is a 2012 screen print and favorite of the Terrace.

Leadership Charleston is building next class. This professional development program by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for its 2016 class. For more than 40 years, Leadership Charleston has been identifying and developing leaders in our community, producing more than 2,000 graduates that have become leaders in local, regional and global industries, legislative appointments and civic stewardship.

The program focuses on the primary issues facing our region, including crime, infrastructure, workforce development and business advocacy. Participants hear from prominent speakers, including alumni and regional leaders, during programs designed to enhance civic knowledge while developing the necessary skills to assume leadership roles. The 10-month program, which beings in September with a two-day orientation and is followed by one-day sessions each month, allows participants to connect with other influential regional leaders and exposes them to community involvement opportunities.

Leadership Charleston is open to all members of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Applications can be submitted until June 30, 2015. Application and more details.

TEDxCharleston videos now online. If you missed speakers at Embrace Chaos, the 2015 version of the independently-organized TED event in Charleston, you now can see what speakers had to say online here.  Topics include “The science of yogic breathing,” with radiation oncology researcher Sundar Balasubramanian; “Classical fusion” by 24-year-old violinist Set Gilliard; “College: Necessary, but insufficient,” by computer app developer Will Jamieson; and 17 more presentations.