Ohio Christian University’s School of Business & Government® hosted their 8th annual Small Business Round Table on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, the University's facility for business development and innovation.
This event brought together over eighty students and four small business owners. The discussion focused on starting and managing a small business. Business executives at this year’s Round Table were Jesse Lear and Travis Smith, founders of V.I.P Waste Services; Mike Cessna, owner of My Auto Care, Bella Freight, and Redline Wear; and Pat Miller, owner and executive director of Pure International Pageants.
Students engaged in lively discussion with these panelists, asking many questions applicable to their business development interests. The panelists emphasized the importance of character, hard work, time management, finding your passion, and discipline as significant aspects of success in owning a business and working effectively in such organizations. Sound business management advice they shared includes:
“Make sure you have great mentors in your life. Don’t just make yourself knowledgeable about a specific role you are seeking within an organization, make sure you are knowledgeable about all the moving parts of the organization.” – Pat Miller, Pure International Pageants
“Do not let your age hold you back, keep your passion because seasoned professionals will see the value in that.” – Travis Smith, V.I.P Waste Services
“Keep your business cards and make friends. Relationships and loyalty are so important when you are networking and building your business.” – Jesse Lear, V.I.P Waste Services
“Starting a company comes down to time management. What things are you following? Things that are going to help you and encourage you? What things are you spending your time on that will help and grow who you are? It is so important to find good people to work with and to work for you that you can trust.” – Mike Cessna, My Auto Care, Bella Freight, and Redline Wear
Many attending students are working on business plans for the University's annual Business Plan Competition with a $10,000 Award for the top winner. The competition is held each spring semester. The Round Table is particularly helpful and informative for the students in the creation of their competitive business plans.
The School places a high value of the importance of practical learning which is why individuals that have been successful in their fields of business are continually invited to campus to speak with students.
Articles of Interest
Student Profile: Kaleb Blevins Pursues His Calling
Published: December 6, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Ohio Christian University (OCU) senior Kaleb Blevins has embraced a calling
beyond his chosen vocation. Graduating a year early with a degree in Sports
and Business Management, Blevins is dedicated to many volunteer activities.
Participating and leading in faith-focused programs is his calling.
Blevins leads a Bible study at Bloom Carol’s Catalyst High School and
participates in an Apprenticeship at Grace Fellowship that inform his higher
education. Having a passion for youth, playing and teaching piano, coaching
and playing soccer, and leading groups, Blevins
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Ohio Christian University (OCU) senior Kaleb Blevins has embraced a calling
beyond his chosen vocation. Graduating a year early with a degree in Sports
and Business Management, Blevins is dedicated to many volunteer activities.
Participating and leading in faith-focused programs is his calling.
Blevins leads a Bible study at Bloom Carol’s Catalyst High School and
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Ohio Christian University (OCU) senior Kaleb Blevins has embraced a calling
beyond his chosen vocation. Graduating a year early with a degree in Sports
and Business Management
Accounting Majors Tour Kenworth Manufacturing Facility
Published: November 28, 2018
Ohio Christian University's Business School accounting students, led by
Professors Betsy Magill and Lane Patrick, met with Kenworth’s accounting
management staff on October 25, 2018. Assistant Controller Ron Butterbaugh
and Human Resources Manager Brian Putnam led the group on the tour.
Kenworth has manufactured trucks since 1923.
Students toured the factory where the Kenworth trucks are produced. They saw
the assembly of raw materials, truck production in progress, and the finished
units. They watched as the trucks were assembled, including viewing the
components and parts that go
Ohio Christian University's Business School accounting students, led by
Professors Betsy Magill and Lane Patrick, met with Kenworth’s accounting
management staff on October 25, 2018. Assistant Controller Ron Butterbaugh
and Human Resources Manager Brian Putnam led the group on the tour.
Kenworth has manufactured trucks since 1923.
Students toured the factory where the Kenworth trucks are
Ohio Christian University's Business School accounting students, led by
Professors Betsy Magill and Lane Patrick, met with Kenworth’s accounting
management staff on October 25, 2018. Assistant
Discussion of POVERTY, INC. Offers Christian Insight
Published: November 15, 2018
Film director and producer Michael Matheson Miller of the Acton Institute
introduced his film POVERTY, INC. at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel
Service before its showing in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center
(OCUBIC) on November 14. Miller also addressed the School of Business
Film director and producer Michael Matheson Miller of the Acton Institute
introduced his film POVERTY, INC. at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel
Service before its showing in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center
(OCUBIC) on November 14. Miller also addressed the School of Business
Film director and producer Michael Matheson Miller of the Acton Institute
introduced his film POVERTY, INC. at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel
Service before its showing in the Robert W. Plaster
Ohio Christian Sees Startup Center as 'Front Door' for Business Community
Published: November 1, 2018
By Emily Bench, Staff reporter, Columbus Business First
John Kulaga sees Ohio Christian University as an important partner in
Pickaway County’s educational and economic development efforts.
Kulaga, president of the Circleville school since last year, said to reach
not only the school's business students but also the community at large, Ohio
Christian last August launched the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center.
"We are a great front door for anyone who wants to do business here," he
said.
"The 22,000-square-foot, collaborative space is very much community
endeavor," Kulaga said
By Emily Bench, Staff reporter, Columbus Business First
John Kulaga sees Ohio Christian University as an important partner in
Pickaway County’s educational and economic development efforts.
Kulaga, president of the Circleville school since last year, said to reach
not only the school's business students but also the community at large, Ohio
Christian last August launched the Robert W.
By Emily Bench, Staff reporter, Columbus Business First
John Kulaga sees Ohio Christian University as an important partner in
Pickaway County’s educational and economic development efforts.
Kulaga
Tony Perkins Keynotes OCU Chapel Service
Published: October 23, 2018
Anthony R. Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a conservative
policy and lobbying organization based in Washington, D.C., gave the message
at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel Service on Monday, October 22.
His visit was a stop on the Council’s “For the Sake of America: Stand
Strong in the Lord” national road tour and part of the University’s
School and Business and Government annual Distinguished Speaker Series.
Perkins addressed the need for Christians in America to show courage in the
face of threats to the tenets of the faith. The keystone of his message is
Anthony R. Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a conservative
policy and lobbying organization based in Washington, D.C., gave the message
at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel Service on Monday, October 22.
His visit was a stop on the Council’s “For the Sake of America: Stand
Strong in the Lord” national road tour and part of the University’s
School and Business and
Anthony R. Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a conservative
policy and lobbying organization based in Washington, D.C., gave the message
at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel
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Archived Articles of Interest
Married to the Family Business
Published: July 21, 2015
Generally speaking, most people become an entrepreneur because they have
created a product or service that will add value to a community. However,
some people who enter entrepreneurship as a result of their relationships.
Mandy Way, a recent MBA graduate from OCU, is a part of this category. Upon
marrying her husband, Cameron Way, she became joint manager of Way Farms, a
local produce company in Waverly, OH. Since it was founded in 2003 and
became an LLC in 2008, Way Farms has been very successful, due to the support
of its community and competency of its managers. Their goal - to
Generally speaking, most people become an entrepreneur because they have
created a product or service that will add value to a community. However,
some people who enter entrepreneurship as a result of their relationships.
Mandy Way, a recent MBA graduate from OCU, is a part of this category. Upon
marrying her husband, Cameron Way, she became joint manager of Way Farms, a
local produce
Generally speaking, most people become an entrepreneur because they have
created a product or service that will add value to a community. However,
some people who enter entrepreneurship as a result
Create Your Future
Published: June 25, 2015
Local Entrepreneurs Share Five Tips for Success Businesses are sprouting
up everywhere; from local mom-and-pop shops, to national chains, to global
empires, there’s no doubt that this is the age of the entrepreneur. Shows
such as Shark Tank and The Profit validate the American dream and are
encouraging men and women of all ages to bring the ideas they have to market.
As this phenomenon continues, it’s safe to say that many are opting to
create their dream job rather than following traditional career paths. Two
such entrepreneurs are J.D. Hyman and Ben Caplan, founders of local
Local Entrepreneurs Share Five Tips for Success Businesses are sprouting
up everywhere; from local mom-and-pop shops, to national chains, to global
empires, there’s no doubt that this is the age of the entrepreneur. Shows
such as Shark Tank and The Profit validate the American dream and are
encouraging men and women of all ages to bring the ideas they have to market.
As this phenomenon
Local Entrepreneurs Share Five Tips for Success Businesses are sprouting
up everywhere; from local mom-and-pop shops, to national chains, to global
empires, there’s no doubt that this is the age
School of Business and Government Hosts Distinguished Speaker Series
Published: April 15, 2015
On March 31st the School of Business and Government hosted Dr. Jay Richards
and Dr. Anne Bradley as a part of the Distinguished Speaker Series.Dr. Anne
Rathbone Bradley is the Vice President of Economic Initiatives at the
Institute, where she develops and commissions research toward a systematic
biblical theology of economic freedom. She is a visiting professor at
Georgetown University, and also teaches at The Institute for World Politics
and George Mason University. She is an editor of and contributing author to
IFWE’s recently released book, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer
On March 31st the School of Business and Government hosted Dr. Jay Richards
and Dr. Anne Bradley as a part of the Distinguished Speaker Series.Dr. Anne
Rathbone Bradley is the Vice President of Economic Initiatives at the
Institute, where she develops and commissions research toward a systematic
biblical theology of economic freedom. She is a visiting professor at
Georgetown University, and
On March 31st the School of Business and Government hosted Dr. Jay Richards
and Dr. Anne Bradley as a part of the Distinguished Speaker Series.Dr. Anne
Rathbone Bradley is the Vice President of
Employment Basics for Student Workers
Published: October 21, 2014
On Friday, October 10th, the Ohio Christian University Career Services
Department presented training for 117 work-study students called the Basics
of Employment. This training covered essential information to help students
be successful in their jobs. The three-hour training presented topics that
focused on transferable and personal skills that students will carry over
into their careers.Some of the topics covered were:The impact of their role
in upholding the University missionThe impact of tardiness and absenteeismThe
impact of lost productivity employers incur while students are
On Friday, October 10th, the Ohio Christian University Career Services
Department presented training for 117 work-study students called the Basics
of Employment. This training covered essential information to help students
be successful in their jobs. The three-hour training presented topics that
focused on transferable and personal skills that students will carry over
into their careers.
On Friday, October 10th, the Ohio Christian University Career Services
Department presented training for 117 work-study students called the Basics
of Employment. This training covered essential
Career Services Offers Workshop Blitz
Published: September 25, 2014
On Tuesday, September 23, Career Services offered the first Workshop Blitz to
OCU students. There were 38 students in attendance for the three-hour
event. The Blitz offered students an opportunity to participate in a
multitude of workshops all held in one evening to help prepare them to enter
the workforce.One portion of the workshop featured Lori Bentz from Brooks
Brothers Clothing, Jeffersonville, Ohio, illustrating proper dress attire to
wear for an interview. Students participated in a tie tying competition as
well as a scarf tying demonstration. Students also had a demonstration
On Tuesday, September 23, Career Services offered the first Workshop Blitz to
OCU students. There were 38 students in attendance for the three-hour
event. The Blitz offered students an opportunity to participate in a
multitude of workshops all held in one evening to help prepare them to enter
the workforce.One portion of the workshop featured Lori Bentz from Brooks
Brothers Clothing,
On Tuesday, September 23, Career Services offered the first Workshop Blitz to
OCU students. There were 38 students in attendance for the three-hour
event. The Blitz offered students an opportunity
