The Hidden Treasure Down Moore Street
(Posted June 10, 2009)
Juniatian â?" March 5, 2009
JCEL: The hidden treasure down Moore St.
By: Kelly O'Shea
The building across from Sheetz, the once that looks like an abandoned prison, is home to one of Juniata's hidden assets: JCEL.
The Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is designed to help undergraduate students create their own sustainable businesses. The program began in 2003 and is open to all students, faculty and community members.
When asked what JCEL has to offer students, Nick Felice, executive director of JCEL, said "Essentially any tools, be it advising, equipment or capital, needed to move a business idea forward [are provided]."
Demetri Patitsas, an alumnus, used JCEL to help start his ice cream truck business, which he still operates. Patitsas said that JCEL relieves the pressure on students who might not be able to afford their own start-up capital.
Patitsas said, "JCEL has a framework which accounts for a college student; most students have little money and little time but with the help of JCEL, students can start their own business."
The staff urges everyone to make use of these assets, from brand new startup ideas to a twist on something already established. Felice said, "We can engage at just about any stage in the business development process."
The student seed capital is one opportunity that only a handful of student's have used. This is a fund put together by JCEL and active alumni for students interested in starting up a business. A major benefit of this capital is that no repayment is required if a business fails, provided that business owners put forth a solid effort.
Felice said, "It's an investment we could very well lose and we're more than willing to take the risk."
"You have to remember: you came with nothing. So if you leave with nothing, you haven't lost anything." Said Patitsas.
Junior and entrepreneurship POE Cassandra Hale urges students to take advantage of the unique "Starter Kit." The Starter Kit is designed for the student with an idea for their own business venture and who is looking to flesh out a business plan, develop a product or service and decide on the appropriate legal structure for the business.
Hale said, "Students don't seem to realize it is a legit $5,000 of capital they could receive through this program."
JCEL has been keeping students of the Young Entrepreneurs' Society (YES) busy this year. In November, JCEL brought YES students to a Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization (CEO) student conference in Chicago for the fourth year in a row.
As a faculty advisor at the conference this year, Loreen Schouppe-Wright, Huntingdon county business and industry director of Keystone Innovation Zone, said, "It's a real nice networking event for the students."
The conference hosts founders, owners, and several entrepreneurs who have had success and are eager to share their advice.
Schouppe-Wright said, "It's inspiring for the students to hear you can start from nothing and form a successful business."
The appearance of the building is turnoff to some students. However, JCEL has plans to turn its unreceptive façade around, as the building is currently being renovated.
Felice assured students that after the renovation, "the character of the site will get a change quite a bit."
Landscaping, paved parking lots and a completely revamped second floor will help JCEL lose its prison-like stigma.
Felice said that after the renovation, "They'll no longer be able to call me the 'Warden.'"
Aside from its unapproachable exterior, the toughest barrier JCEL has to overcome is the false premise that the program is available only to business students.
Felice said, "These opportunities are not restricted to business POEs, your expertise or value you have in a certain area can be expanded and sold as a strong business idea."
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