BIG Workshop 2024: Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The BIG Workshop, an annual event focused on igniting creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, took place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in Marietta College's Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. Drawing more than 100 attendees, including current students, high school students, and community members, the event offered an engaging and insightful experience centered around the purpose of Build, Innovate, Grow.
The BIG Workshop provides participants with the knowledge, tools, and motivation to explore entrepreneurship and turn ideas into successful ventures and to spark entrepreneurial thinking.
“The morning segment of the workshop was dedicated to high school students, with this year’s program designed to strengthen their ability and enthusiasm to think and act creatively,” said Dr. Jackie Khorassani, Senior Director of Entrepreneurship and Career Development at Marietta College and organizer of the BIG Workshop.
The morning session of the workshop featured a hands-on project for local high school students. Participants were given materials and tasked with creating a Bedtime Buddy—a stuffed animal designed to comfort children—and then pitching their ideas to twin four-year-old children.
Kristi Leonard-Webber, Director of Logistics & Epicenter for Building Bridges to Careers, worked directly with the high school teams during this session.
“We’re here to create capacity for our community to help expose students to entrepreneurial thinking and what it means to step out of comfort zones and being willing to try,” Leonard-Webber said.
Her role emphasized the importance of collaboration, communication, and creativity. The project was intended not only to foster entrepreneurial thinking but also to develop skills in teamwork and presentation.
Among the participants was Caroline Cortopassi, an 11th-grade student from the Washington County Career Center. Along with friends Ella Patterson and Brooklyn Stimpert, Cortopassi worked on creating a teddy bear for their Bedtime Buddy project.
When asked about her motivation for attending the BIG Workshop, Cortopassi said it would help with her professional goals.
“I just wanted to learn more about entrepreneurship. My mom owns a business. She owns The Farmer's Daughters and Son wedding venue, so I just want to learn more about that so I can maybe take that on one day,” Cortopassi said.
The afternoon session was designed for a broader audience, including college students and community members interested in entrepreneurship. A key highlight was the Resource Showcase: Quick Pitch and Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to present their business ideas and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts.
“Each year, the advisory board of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development reviews our exit survey results, along with our own observations, to shape the content and format of the workshop,” Khorassani said. “This year, for the first time, we eliminated breakout sessions and held the entire event in one room to enhance collaboration and networking opportunities.” This new format encouraged more direct interaction and allowed participants to share ideas and insights across different age groups and professional experiences.
Among those in attendance was Lucas Young ’25, who is majoring in Applied Physics at Marietta College. Young, who is pursuing an Entrepreneurship minor, attended the Quick Pitch session and found it to be an insightful experience.
“It’s pretty neat,” he said. “I hadn’t been before because of classes,” Young said.
Loreena Williams ’25, an Entrepreneurship major pursuing a Leadership Certificate, attended the workshop to connect with people who share a passion for building, innovating and growing.
"As a business owner, it was incredibly empowering to be surrounded by individuals with a supportive entrepreneurial mindset, Williams said. "I found it very informative to learn about the various resources available to help my bakery business. Being in the startup phase, I've often had questions and didn't know whom to ask, but the workshop introduced me to people who could provide guidance and connections that will be very valuable as I continue to grow. I own a bakery business called Reena Maes, where I offer custom orders and is involved in farmers markets. My focus is on decorated desserts, such as cookies and cakes, but I aim to expand into more delicate pastries and international desserts. After graduating in the spring, I plan to develop my bakery further and work toward opening a brick-and-mortar store."
The BIG Workshop was made possible through the involvement of a diverse range of organizations that support entrepreneurship and economic development. Presentations were given by representatives from Wood County Economic Development, the Women's Business Center, Theisen Brock LPA, TechGrowth Ohio, the Southeast Ohio Port Authority, the Small Business Development Center, the Mid-Ohio Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Marietta Community Foundation, the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce, Future Plans, the Economic & Community Development Institute, Balanced Financial, the Athens Ohio Investment Alliance, and the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers' Coalition.
Each of these organizations played a pivotal role in helping attendees gain practical knowledge about the resources available to entrepreneurs, from financial support to business development strategies.
The keynote speaker for the event was Doan Winkel, and the workshop was emceed by Michael Bond, founder of Spoken, and Alexis Sommers ’24, who is working remotely for a medical device startup company while still a full-time student. Moderators for the afternoon session included Nathaniel Berger, Leah Seaman ’20, Mike Workman, Julie Harding, and Casey Lang, who guided discussions and facilitated engaging dialogues among participants.
The BIG Workshop’s emphasis on networking and collaboration was felt throughout the day. By bringing together students, professionals, and community members in one room, the event created an environment conducive to building relationships and exchanging ideas. This collaborative spirit is essential for entrepreneurs, who often rely on partnerships, feedback, and mentorship to succeed.