While we were on the celebration train with ASID, we made our to San Luis Obispo to mix and mingle with the super talented students at Cal Poly’s SLO Hot House Accelerator program put on by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. As a mentor and sponsor, I was excited to meet these amazing students in person and hear all about their adventures in entrepreneurship.
In the early afternoon we met with the CIE organizers and they told us a bit more about what we can expect when the students show us their projects and business plans and how our mentorship and sponsorhip were helping them turn their dreams into reality. The first group we met with, gatherologie, is a group of bright students offering event services like planning and coordinating, photography, and other ‘day-of’ needs. The other startup, Pashion Footwear, is a program that converts flats to high heels and vice versa, perfect for day-to-night date nights or a day full of activities.
Afterwards, we were able to catch our breath and relax for a moment before we gathered with five other accelerator groups and a few other entrepreneurial students to talk about my own personal experience starting businesses. I loved being able to share my own anecdotes with students, letting them know that the risk is most definitely worth the reward. Shout out to my wonderful design friend, Mari Robeson, and her husband for joining us as we chatted, dined, and mingled.
I can’t wait to go back and learn how the students are doing. I was totally impressed with their business plans and can’t wait to see gatherologie planning amazing events and Pashion recreating the way we walk to work.
