Joyce Raposo
Editor-In-Chief
Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about managing finances will have an opportunity to network with business professionals in corporate banking, corporate finance, insurance and marketing who can answer questions about starting or building a successful business.
The Texas A&M University-San Antonio Library and College of Business are co-hosting an event as part of Money Smart Week, a nationally recognized campaign founded by the Federal Reserve of Chicago in 2011. The event, “Entrepreneurs: Networking Your Assets and Protecting Them,” is 5:30-7 p.m. April 1, in the Vista Room of the Central Academic Building.
Business librarian Marina Narvaez said Money Smart Week started as a program to assist people with their personal finances. Libraries and community centers around the country started offering similar programs each year, but she wanted to find a new way to apply it to the College of Business.
“Entrepreneurs need to protect their assets as well,” Narvaez said. “We wanted to do something with the College of Business, and the best fit was with entrepreneurs at the time.”
Sam Riehn, keynote speaker and owner of the Startup Club, will talk about how he got his start and what his company can do for entrepreneurs. The Startup Club is a non-profit designed to help San Antonio small businesses connect and grow. Riehn will be joined by 10 business professionals who will lead round-table discussions with attendees to answer questions and provide business and financial advice.
Narvaez said the event is strictly informative; there are no sales pitches. The people leading the round-table discussions are only giving advice. They’re also going to ask students to move to another table every 10 to 15 minutes to give them an opportunity to learn from as many mentors as possible.
Sarah Timm, public services manager, said this is the sixth year A&M-San Antonio has hosted the event and it’s growing every year.
“Money Smart Week can encompass all kinds of stuff,” Timm said. “There’s actually multiple events around campus that are part of Money Smart Week; this is just the one that the Library is doing. There’s a flyer up right now. The Mays Center is doing events too.”
Narvaez said the event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided, including cookies, KIND bars, fruit, cheese and vegetable platter, lemonade and water. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP on the Money Smart Week site, but RSVP is not required.
“It’s a really good opportunity for entrepreneurs to really learn about what they’re stepping into if they’re just starting,” Narvaez said. “And for the ones who have already established a small business… how they can maximize all of their assets.”
