UC’s Center for Entrepreneurship tailors big solutions for small businesses
Driving entrepreneurship excellence to the next level
The Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Cincinnati is committed to supporting small businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area.
At the epicenter of the UC Entrepreneurial Ecosystem hub is the Small Business Institute (SBI) program, nestled within UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business. As a founding member of the SBI and the Small Business Institute Directors’ Association, UC helps bridge the gap between aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses eager to boost their success.
Charles H. Matthews, founder of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship and SBI director, noted, “UC has been a leader on the forefront of preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs since 1972. The Small Business Institute program is a great example of bringing students and startups together for a triple win: Creative solutions to real problems for small businesses, augmenting student learning and elevating the business community.”
Guided by the expertise of Kate Harmon, the assistant vice president and executive director in the 1819 Innovation Hub and the El and Elaine Bourgraf director of entrepreneurial practice for the Center for Entrepreneurship, this dynamic academic hub provides personalized consulting that propels entrepreneurs, managers and businesses to new heights.
The savvy graphic design techniques and marketing strategies learned through UC's SBI helped Paul Keith promote and manage his beard care product lines more effectively. Photo/Charles Matthews
In the realm of success stories, Paul Keith is the visionary force behind PK Beard Essentials. Last spring, he successfully transformed his line of beard cleansing, moisturizing and oil products into a thriving online sales enterprise after leveraging the valuable resources provided by SBI.
“The brilliant contribution of the academic and student SBI team significantly helped give my business a noteworthy edge over my competitors,” Keith remarked about his journey. “Through their expert guidance, I optimized my online sales operations and productivity refined social media marketing strategies, enhanced brand visibility, targeted the optimal age demographic and greatly improved my customer relationships.”
Program offerings
The dual-pronged, cost-effective consulting mission emphasizes two key pillars:
- Customized consulting: Offering personalized management consulting to local businesses and nonprofit organizations with a mission to deliver tailored solutions. Students collaborate closely alongside business owners and managers, actively engaging to help create winning formulas to address real-time challenges.
- Learning extravaganza: For UC students with a passion for entrepreneurship and small business, the SBI program provides an impressive, hands-on learning experience with tangible, measurable outcomes.
Inside the process
Under the guidance of seasoned faculty, undergraduate and graduate-level students from Lindner engage on immersive field cases with business owners and managers spanning an entire semester.
Throughout the experiential journey, these student consultants delve deep into the business’s history and objectives, creating comprehensive and innovative business plans. Their work encompasses various elements, including competitive analysis, strategic growth, startup business plans, market research, marketing strategies, operational improvements, feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses.
Taste of success
The consulting program’s stellar track record features:
- Exceptional client satisfaction with A+ ratings
- Recognition through awards in local, regional and national competitions
- An impressive annual volume of 20-30 consulting projects for regional businesses, profoundly impacting over 1,000 businesses and organizations and benefiting over 3,000 students during its 50-year history.
According to Harmon, business participants actively engage with students to create a recipe for success. Rather than serving in intern or co-op roles, the students operate as advisers and consultants. Harmon emphasizes the importance of client confidentiality in this collaborative synergy.
Timing and application
- Fall semester: late August to early December
- Spring semester: early January to late April
- Applications are welcome year-round, with thorough reviews conducted in July/August for fall semester enrollment and in November/December for the spring semester.
Join UC’s SBI consulting program and take your business to the next level!
Featured image at top: New entrepreneurs discuss small business options. Photo/Mapbox courtesy of Unsplash
Innovation Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Prestigious green and gold accolades highlight UC Earth Day 2021
April 19, 2021
There’s no making light of the ‘Gold’ accolade recently earned by the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ new home on campus.
UC’s summer semester offers students short sessions, flexibility
April 12, 2021
Coming into the summertime of 2020, Sumedha Kappagantula was considering ways to make the most her opportunities during what is usually a break from the academic rigor of her traditional school year. As a Biomedical Engineering major in the UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kappagantula is minoring in Chemistry and Biological Sciences, taking classes through the College of Arts and Sciences. She thought summer semester would be a great time to get ahead in her coursework, and move her degree forward.
Arts & Sciences graduate tapped as Mr. Bearcat 2021
June 8, 2021
Chase Morris, a College of Arts and Sciences graduate, is UC's 2021 Mr. Bearcat.
UC Foundation Board of Trustees elects six new members
May 11, 2021
The University of Cincinnati Foundation Board of Trustees has elected six new trustees to its 52-member board: Paul D. Green, BBA ’90; Lourdes J. Harshe, BBA ’92; Anndréa M. Moore, BBA’10; Arun C. Murthy, BBA ’95; Kirk L. Perry, BBA ’90, HON ‘15; and Christopher J. Van Pelt, BA ’91, MA ’93.
AACSB renews accreditation for Lindner College of Business
May 13, 2021
The University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business is pleased to announced that the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) has extended the college’s accreditation.
New facial covering requirement and vaccine incentives for UC community
August 3, 2021
UC President Neville G. Pinto announced that facial covering requirements will begin at UC Aug. 5, and vaccine incentives will begin for faculty, staff and students later this month.
UC Lindner College of Business Maintains Prestigious Business School Accreditation
February 10, 2016
AACSB once again deems college a distinguished hallmark of excellence in business education.
Lindner MBA Program Earns Nation s Biggest Three-year Rankings Jump in U.S. News & World Report
March 16, 2016
Lindner Full-Time MBA Program Up 36 Spots and Part-Time MBA Up 69 Spots Since 2014 Rankings.
UC Center for Professional Selling Named a 'Top University Sales Program' in North America
April 27, 2017
The Sales Education Foundation recognized the Carl H. Lindner College of Business program for helping to prepare students for successful careers in professional selling.
New Lindner Award Created in Honor of Longtime UC Supporter
April 6, 2017
The Heart of William J. Keating Jr. Leadership Award to go to an outstanding junior who demonstrates the same altruistic characteristics as long-time UC advocate Bill Keating.