Expansion Management

New Jersey Entrepreneurs

Aug. 13, 2015

The Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative program, based at Rutgers University, is bringing economic growth to the state.

Adrienne Selko

New Jersey is intent on helping its entrepreneurs remain successful and stay in the area. The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development ( CUEED) at Rutgers University created a program called the Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative program to do just that. Its popularity has grown over the past seven years to the point that 150 applicants via for 30 class positions.

CUEED, which is the first of its kind in the country, integrates scholarly work with private capital, government, and non-profit sectors to develop citywide resources. From a curriculum perspective practical solutions stem from the university’s ongoing research on socioeconomic development and entrepreneurship.

EPI, referred to as Business Boot Camp by the alumni, offers monthly half-day sessions exploring topics including: Customer management, marketing, finance, strategic management, business valuation and innovation.

More on the program and its impact on the state.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.