Midwest Entrepreneurial Spirit - Speaker Bio

Speech

Terry Whipple has a passion for creating a contagious environment for entrepreneurship! He is also adamant that the Midwest needs to foster a culture of entrepreneurism in order to compete economically in the 21^st century. He will speak from his experience facilitating and nurturing the growth of a successful entrepreneurial program in west central Wisconsin called the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club. Terry will share his perspective on the Midwest’s entrepreneurial environment and culture; the characteristics of inventors and the constraints they face; what it's like to work with an inventor; how clubs provide a safe place to gather, explore ideas and gain education from peers; why a mix of inventors and entrepreneurs is important for critical networking to occur, what resources are available to assist inventors and entrepreneurs; and how to start a club in your region. Economic developers will take home ideas, strategies and lessons you can use to spur entrepreneurship.

Bio

Terry Whipple is the Executive Director of Juneau County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) and has an extensive background in business development. Terry received the SBA’s Region V and Wisconsin 2005 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award. He also received the Wisconsin 2005 Innovation Champion Award for the development of innovative new programs. He has served as an independent business consultant specializing in work with distressed small businesses and currently maintains his own private consulting business to connect investors with businesses.