Experience Matters in Developing New Entrepreneurs

TUSCALOOSA – Experience matters in developing and motivating future entrepreneurs. “After working as a sales manager and then a general manager for a company in Atlanta, I decided to take the plunge and open my own company here in Tuscaloosa,” said Peter Gerkin.  “My eleven years running this business has given me the broad range of experiences, both good and bad, that I try to share with my students.”

With over thirty years experience in the management of small business, Gerkin believes that experience will make a difference in his new course, “How to Start and Operate a Small Business,” at Shelton State Community College (SSCC).  Funded by the West Alabama – East Mississippi (WAEM) Regional Initiative, the course was started to meet the practical need in the community for training that will enable the creation of jobs through the creation of local businesses.

Students from the "How to Start and Operate a Small Business" Course at SSCC share their business venture ideas with each other.

“At the center of the course is the necessity for new businesses to identify needs in the marketplace and find ways to meet those needs at a profit,” said Gerkin.  “Problems do in fact create opportunities; the instability of traditional employment in the current job market has shown entrepreneurship can be a valid career choice.”

Dru Dunn, 40, from Cottondale, AL wants a small business to be his next career.  “I recently lost my job when my plant closed down.  This course became available and it seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I have always been interested in starting a small business.” Dunn is one of twenty-six students currently enrolled in the course.

The course curriculum is based on the Southern Entrepreneurship Program developed by Dr. Brent Hales, a partner with WAEM’s MyBiz Entrepreneur Network (see more at www.MyBiz.am) 

“I hope to gain the necessary skills to operate a successful, reputable business,” expressed Dunn.  “My plan is to offer my customers something they can’t get from a big corporate business.”

While students are guided in the development of their own unique, viable businesses plans and exposed to QuickBooks, small business accounting software, the program focuses on motivation.

Gerkin plans to use his experiences to help motivate students to success.  “My overall goal for my students is to push them to think like entrepreneurs and develop skills to become successful business people.”

For more information contact Peter Gerkin at 205-391-5861 or email pgerkin@sheltonstate.edu