JGSEO Mission
Helping Jones School students and alumni achieve their entrepreneurial goals through education,advice, encouragement and networking support
The JGSEO is headed by Al Danto '00 and Blake Roberts '00, with Dr. Al Napier serving as the faculty sponsor. Al Danto and Blake Roberts are available if you have any questions about this organization.
About JGSEO
Every Entrepreneur faces unique challenges while developing and starting a business venture. These unique challenges continue once a venture is up and running. The entrepreneur moves through unchartered territory daily. Leveraging off prior experiences of others has proven to be crucial for business survival in uncharted territory.
The Jones Graduate School Entrepreneurs Organization will provide the systems, processes and social networks to bring together Alumni with real world experiences for the benefit of everyone involved. The JGSEO will follow the proven systems of the Young Presidents Organization, The Entrepreneurs Organization and other peer to peer groups that have created proven systems and processes to manage, grow, and network their business ventures.
Here's how the Jones Graduate School Entrepreneurs Organization will help alumni running small businesses and connect them back to the Jones School:
- Place alumni who are running entrepreneurial companies into small advisory boards / CEO Roundtables
Members will meet on a regular basis in small advisory boards to discuss issues, set goals, share ideas and help each other to grow their companies
- Host educational events focused on enhancing leadership and management skills
There will be regularly scheduled educational events around core business topics in which all members will be invited to attend
- Foster networking opportunities
Members will be given the opportunity both online and in person to network and find ways to help grow each other’s business, refer advisors, promote their services and connect with other members who can help support their business
- Mentorship Program
More experienced members will be matched with younger and more start-up based members to provide guidance and mentorship in "Emerging Entrepreneurs" teams
- Jones School Connection
All members will be connected to the Jones School through its faculty executive director and common alumni bond
Members will mentor JGS students interested in entrepreneurship.
JGSEO Events
Valuation
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
11:30am - 1:00pm
Venue: TBD
Speaker: Bobby Hatcher
Entrepreneurship Strategy
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Venue: McNair Hall (AFC) - Rice University
Speaker: TBD
Owl Tank
All day business plan competition for ‘quick cash flow’ companies. Hosted by Houston chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization and Houston angels in which competition will pitch their businesses for cash and in kind prizes.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Venue: TBD
Jones School Entrepreneur of the Month
Craig Ceccanti is a founding member and CEO of Pinot’s Palette (formerly Pinot & Picasso), Houston’s first and premier, upscale BYOB Painting Studio. As a pioneer in the newly developed and rapidly expanding Sip and Paint industry, Craig has directed an innovative start-up business with one location to a concept which is now being sold nationwide.
His contributions at Pinot’s Palette have involved strategy, financing, architecting proprietary technology, developing and standardizing operations, fundraising, building a team-based culture and a purpose-driven brand. These efforts have helped Pinot’s Palette attract both local and national media attention from TLC Network, The Business Journal, 002 Houston, Envy, Houston Press, ABC 13, Great Day Houston, among others.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
It is very important that an entrepreneur has the analytical skills to perform thorough due diligence, not only on start-up/acquisition but also ongoing. Being analytical helps eliminate and reduce the risk from entrepreneurship, making it a career instead of gambling. Second, an entrepreneur needs to be able to find problems and craft them into opportunities. I often refer to this as entrepreneurial radar. This radar is constantly scanning for consumer and business problems and matching them up to their ability to commercialize a solution. Lastly, an entrepreneur needs to possess the skill to build a strong network. Leveraging your network to produce value is truly what it is all about. If you start a business that only works if you are there, you have only created a job for yourself. You are an entrepreneur when that business could successfully run when you are off creating the next business.
How do you generate new ideas?
I let my entrepreneurial radar (TM), run wild. As mentioned above, this radar is constantly scanning for consumer and business problems that I might be able to commercialize. I have found that my radar has become stronger and more precise the more I learn about business. It picks up many more ideas and tends to weed out non-commercially viable ideas much quicker. Consciously keep your entrepreneurial radar running until it runs on auto-pilot.
What is your greatest business fear, and how do you manage it?
My biggest business fear is having to go back to "work". I love entrepreneurship and wake up every morning with a hunger to succeed and fear of returning to Corporate America. I manage this fear by relying on my education, experience, and confidence in my abilities.
How do you define success?
Working with our franchisees, this question often comes up. Pinot's Palette has ambition to become the leader in the Paint & Sip industry. We have established the infrastructure for a national franchise and plan to be in every major city over the next three years. Success for us is defined more by how we get there. We will only be successful if we stay true to our values by building a company with a fun culture, passionate partners, and community involvement.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Having our two year anniversary last May was by far the most satisfying moment thus far. With over 50% of businesses closing in the first two years, this was definitely a huge milestone for Pinot's Palette.
What is one thing that no one knows about you?
It’s my life goal to one day teach Al Napier's Entrepreneurship class.
Contact Info
Craig Ceccanti
craig@pinotspalette.com
281-229-5598
www.pinotspalette.comGustavo’s Corner
I would like to invite you to participate in a very unique phone call with myself and other Jones School Alums and students. On the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM CST, I host a conference call in which 2 - 3 Jones School students and alumni present and discuss their business plans and ideas.
Experienced alumni, JGSEO Roundtable members and faculty listen to the presentations and provide feedback, connections and encouragement to the presenters. Each presenter commits to next steps and ventures forward.
Alumni experience, feedback and connections are invaluable and it's a great way to stay connected. The ideal number for the call is about 6 - 8. Our next call will be Thursday and we welcome your participation. Please RSVP if possible, but the dial in number is 712-451-1600 Passcode: 482507#
Please respond to me at
gkolmel@luanncapital.com to RSVP or with any questions.
About Gustavo Kolmel | E-MBA 2008
In 1998, Gustavo Kolmel started his own company. He was 10 years into his career but had always wanted to be an entrepreneur. After receiving his company’s first order, he celebrated the start of his new career with friends. The next morning, the first check he received bounced.
But Kolmel continued to believe in himself and his idea. He made the most of each day and pushed to grow his company. InterStar Global Logistics grew to 85 employees, with a footprint in 18 countries, becoming a recognized leader in global transportation and logistics.
After a long decision process, through the contacts he made while earning his MBA at Rice, Kolmel sold InterStar and its affiliates to Crane Worldwide in September 2008.
Over the years, Kolmel has served in various leadership capacities, travelling extensively around the world. Now Gustavo is leading his second company, LuAnn Capital, which helps entrepreneurs build business plans, consults on selling and acquiring companies, and provides investment capital.
Kolmel attributes much of his success—as an entrepreneur and leader—to attracting and retaining great talent, including those more talented than him. According to Kolmel, “It’s all about the people”, regardless of the industry or business. Successful organizations have the right balance of talent and leadership.
In his leisure time, Gustavo volunteers on mission trips and enjoys sailing, flying, skiing, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors with his wife and children. In addition, he participates in Jones Graduate School Entrepreneurs Organization events, and leads the Business Plan Development Team with monthly conference calls and one-on-one guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs. Gustavo says the “entrepreneurial spirit at Rice is hard to find anywhere else, and the can-do attitude is everywhere. The JGSEO provides the bridge from a top notch MBA program to launching a successful career as an entrepreneur.”
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Believe in and be true to yourself, give thanks, and make the most of every day.”
Help a Fellow Alum Grow His Company
AG Welding – Guy Felton (
guy@agwelding.com)
www.agwelding.com
A.G. Welding provides services in miscellaneous ornamental metals fabrication and installation, structural steel erection, and welding repair. Ornamental metal services include fabrication and installation of staircases, stair and balcony railings, wine room doors, fences, pedestrian gates, entry gates and driveway gates with access control devices. We work with various metals and metal alloys including iron, stainless steel, aluminum and bronze. Structural steel offerings include structural columns, wide flange beams, trusses, decking, and lintels, and brackets. A.G. Welding also provides mobile welding repair services on the project site or in our shop warehouse.
Contacts Needed: Architects, General Contractors, Developers and Custom Home Builders
Board and Committees
Faculty Representative
- Liaison with University and other faculty, keep a dutiful eye on potential organization liabilities and ethical violations.
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Ed Williams |
Al Napier |
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Events
Provide Entrepreneurship/Professional education for members and students (Educational Events Sub-Committee)
- Next Cool Idea Weekend (Sub-Committee)
- Alumni learning weekend that integrates a roundtable/JGSEO format (Sub-Committee)
- Shark Tank Competition (Sub Committee)
- 4 Educational events at the Jones School (2 Fall/2 Spring)
- Social Networking Happy Hours (Summer/Holiday)
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Gene Brieck
Lorie Clements |
Simon Erickson
Kurt Chase
Clark Harrison |
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Roundtables
All Roundtable Leads
- Qualify and assign new members to roundtables
- Qualify leaders of roundtables
- Provide CEO roundtable and peer-to-peer networking opportunities
(e.g. CEO happy hours, workshops on strategy, marketing etc.)
- Continue to enhance Roundtable: processes, training, feedback from team members and meet with leaders to ensure teams are working effectively
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Kyle Fletcher |
Maria Fee |
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New Business Creation (Need a Business Idea)
- Find opportunities for members to research and develop business opportunities
- Foster the start of alumni and student companies
- Be a hub for companies who want to move to or increase their business in the Houston community
- Become a group (or “hub”) for start-ups for hiring top quality employees
- Assist with Next Cool Idea Workshop
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Graham Randall |
Malon Kit
Judy Hulsey |
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Business Plan Development
- Foster the growth of alumni and student companies
- Make available investment opportunities for alumni in JGSEO member companies (Shark Tank Event/Stage #5 members)
- Assist with Next Cool Idea Workshop
- Maintain list of all members working on business plans, their needs and status
- Coordinate with communications to keep membership informed of members developing plans
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Gustavo Kolmel |
Arnaud Desalos |
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Education/Mentorship
- Encourage informal mentorship of JGSB alumni and students
- Provide Entrepreneurship/Professional education for members and students, e.g. papers, articles, slides
- Disseminate educational information via Internet to members e.g. via LinkedIn and JGSEO website
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Kerry Woodson |
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Partnerships
- Work with and develop ongoing partnerships with outside organizations e.g. Rice Alliance, Houston Angel Network, Jones Partners, Entrepreneurs Organization
- Develop new partnerships, financial and otherwise
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Al Danto |
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Communications/Website
- Develop and implement a plan to effectively coordinate all modes of communication with membership, including the website, email account, email blasts, Evite, Facebook, and Linked In. Information distributed will come from the Leader in charge of each event or promotion.
- Maintain database of all members and member owned companies
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Gene Brieck |
Bo Bothe |
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Sponsorship/Treasury/Fundraising
- Develop sponsor benefit packages
- Work with Communication and Event Chair to ensure we fulfill all promised benefit
- Follow up with sponsor thank you notes/gifts at the conclusion of sponsored events
- Establish annual budget, pay bills and maintain balance sheet
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Shaheen Ladhani
Jeff Voelkel |
Don Porr
Mark Daves |
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Student Representative
(President of Entrepreneurship Club)
- Coordinate student participation and volunteers at JGSEO events throughout the year, communications and liaison between students and JGSEO
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Carlos Parra
Full Time
Class of 2012 |
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Student Volunteers
(Student Entrepreneurship Club President to recruit these)
- Help with JGSEO events and support JGSEO officers if needed
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