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The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) will host the statewide Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Iowa Conference (CEIC) and Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) Conference on February 26, from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The CEIC/BYOB conference will bring together young entrepreneurs that have made a significant impact on Iowa, the United States and even the world.  Event speakers will inspire and allow students to dream the impossible.  They will encourage participants to reach for the stars.  This event will challenge students to dream and to dream big! Over 350 college and high school students from across the state are expected to attend the free conference at NIACC in Mason City.

“This is really a historic event at NIACC.  We have challenged ourselves and the local NIACC Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization to think outside the box to deliver the message about entrepreneurship as a tool for people with a passion to realize their dreams,” Jamie T. Zanios, vice president of the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center said.  “We expect this conference to help demonstrate the opportunities as well as provide ideas on how to accomplish those dreams.”

Keynote speaker Joe Keeley is the winner of the 2003 Global Student Entrepreneur Award. Keeley is the president & CEO of College Nannies & Tutors, the franchisor of the nation’s largest nanny and tutor company. An Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500 Company, College Nannies & Tutors was founded by Keeley in 2001 while he was earning a degree in entrepreneurship from the University of St. Thomas in St.Paul, Minn. and being a nanny (“manny”) himself for two boys during school. While he was a student, Keeley and College Nannies & Tutors earned such accolades as the Minnesota Collegiate Entrepreneur Award, Great Lakes Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year as well as the Global Student Entrepreneur Award. At the CEIC, he will discuss tools that students can use to focus their thoughts and grow their business.

Keynote speaker Jerome Love’s book: Get Up, Get Out, & Get Something chronicles his unique journey and teaches readers how to create a “can’t fail” plan and how to take action toward targeted goals.  Love will transparently share how he turned his repeated struggles into incredible success proves how anyone can dig deep within and to discover the motive that fuels their motivation.

Breakout session topics that students should hear:  Creating and developing successful business plans; Powerful ideas that lead to bright futures; create a Bioscience business using the sun's energy; E-Commerce, Anyone can do it; Real tools to help focus your thoughts to start or grow your business; Get Up, Get Out, and Start Something; The 7 Biggest Things to Avoid When starting your business. The CEIC conference is free and students can register by calling 641-422-4111 or register online at www.niacc.edu/pappajohn.

Conference sponsors include the Jacobson Institute for Entrepreneurship, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization! (CEO!), Iowa Workforce Development Tech Prep Grant & Career Link, as well as the JPEC’s at NIACC, Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University.

The national NACCE Innovation Award winning NIACC JPEC provides college level courses and degree programs in entrepreneurship, as well as comprehensive consulting services for business start-ups, existing industries and owner transitions in the North Iowa region.   Space is available for start-up businesses in the North Iowa Business Incubator. For more information, contact the NIACC JPEC at 641-422-4111.

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