Iowa Lakes Graduate Attends 2023 Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute
Dylan Short, a recent Iowa Lakes Community College graduate, attended the 2023 Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI), a weeklong experience focused on entrepreneurship and teamwork.
This year, 22 students from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Buena Vista University, and Iowa Lakes Community College participated in the life-changing college credit training where they collaborated with peer entrepreneurs, gained business advice from successful entrepreneurs, pitched business ideas to a panel of judges, and received constructive guidance on their business ideas.
Short graduated from the Powersports and Power Equipment Technology program at Iowa Lakes in May 2023 and has opened a repair business in Cherokee, Iowa, called Short’s Cycles and Small Engine.
“OEI was like nothing I have done before. While there, we helped research how to get a hospitality program at a new location around Okoboji. I had to set up a pitch for a panel of coaches about my business idea. Then, I had the opportunity to meet with and learn from successful local entrepreneurs. Meeting students from other colleges was a blast. I’m now working on improving my business pitch,” explained Short.
During their week at OEI, students participated in an advanced study of entrepreneurship, including seminars with successful entrepreneurs, businesses, and community leaders; networking and mentoring to enhance their understanding of entrepreneurship opportunities in Iowa; pitching a business idea to investors to compete for cash; and enjoying time at Iowa’s Great Lakes beaches.
To learn more about the Powersports and Power Equipment Technology program at Iowa Lakes, please visit iowalakes.edu.
Photo Caption: Professor of Sales and Marketing Management at Iowa Lakes Denise Reimer, Iowa Lakes graduate and 2023 Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) participant Dylan Short, and Tietz Entrepreneurial Center Coordinator Shelly Brown pose for a photo during the 2023 OEI week.
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