Justin Stout: Free entrepreneurship program offered at the library
The Neuse Regional Library System is committed to opening the door to opportunities for residents in Lenoir, Greene, and Jones Counties by making informational resources and programming freely accessible to them. When we underwent our recent Strategic Planning process, one of our goals was the creation of alternative pathways to learning that focus on 21st-century literacy and workforce development skills, which in turn foster economic growth and improved quality of life in our communities. We intend to meet this goal by providing instructional programming to increase 21st-century literacy utilizing staff expertise and strategic partnerships.
One of the ways we have recently done this is through the ICE HOUSE Entrepreneurship Program, a free three-week course sponsored by the NC IDEA Foundation designed to inspire and engage participants with the determination and perseverance of an entrepreneurial mindset.
The NC IDEA Foundation is a private North Carolina foundation created to serve the community by the promotion of entrepreneurship. Their goal is to empower North Carolinians with an entrepreneurial mindset in efforts to encourage economic development. This Foundation selected the Neuse Regional Library System as one of its partners in presenting the ICE HOUSE program to the public as a pilot program, the goal of which is to create a blueprint for all libraries in North Carolina to become Entrepreneurial Learning Centers and stronger providers of resources for patrons seeking information on business.
Our Marketing Librarian, Jennifer Nelson, received specialized training from NC IDEA on how to present the ICE HOUSE program. She presented the program to our first group of future entrepreneurs during the month of November. The Library was able to enroll 8 participants in the pilot program, who were all residents of our community, some of whom already have begun their own businesses from custom doll making to health and wellness coaches.
The program is centered around the Eight Life Lessons from the book Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur by Clifton Taulbert and Gary Schoeniger. Taulbert was an African-American resident of Glen Allan, Mississippi, a poor cotton community at the height of segregation, who went on to be recognized by Time magazine as “one of our nation’s most outstanding emerging entrepreneurs.”
During week one the programs focused on the lessons of choice, opportunity, action and knowledge in the context of entrepreneurial activities, focus, and mindset. During week two the major topics were wealth and how to create it as an entrepreneur; and branding - what it is and how to develop it for your business. The final week of the program covered the last two of the eight lessons, which are community and persistence, two elements that are essential for a thriving business. The program also briefly focused on marketing and tips on creating marketing materials and crafting social media posts.
“The program was enjoyable and informative,” said participant Tiffany Lockhart. “I feel that I have learned new ways of thinking that will help in in my personal life, in reaching my personal goals, and at my current job.”
The first round of the program was a great success. Seating for this workshop was limited; we will be offering the workshops again in January 2020. Times and dates are to be determined; contact Jennifer at jnelson@neuselibrary.org or 252-527-7066 x126 to make an early reservation in the January series of classes. We are looking forward to this opportunity to put more of our library users into the entrepreneurial mindset.
