Collaboration is an essential part of learning. For many disciplines, collaborative spaces are familiar: labs for the sciences, design studios for engineering, practice rooms for music. But what does this look like in the business and professional fields, and how can a space capture the innovative energy of the students in Olivet Nazarene University’s new entrepreneurship program? This is the goal of the Crawford Startup Studio, which opened last spring on the first floor of Olivet’s Weber Leadership Center.
“It’s inspiring to see students using the space to collaborate and grow their business ideas,” says Karli Byrd ’23, Createur Conference coordinator and studio manager.
The new studio, which includes versatile workstations, comfortable furnishings, the ability to connect and present remotely, and large whiteboards for brainstorming sessions, provides a collaborative home for Olivet’s entrepreneurship students, including meetings of their clubs and a place to practice pitches.
“What we noticed,” explains Dr. Lynda Allen ‘82/’88 MBA, business professor and head of the marketing program, “is that as our entrepreneurship program grew, there was no dedicated space for these students to work or assemble as a team.”
This was a critical need, as teamwork, collaboration and mentorship are essential to the entrepreneurial approach. For Antony Mata-Bolandi, a senior entrepreneurship student, the Crawford Startup Studio has answered this need.
“The studio has created a space for us to collaborate, discuss and develop entrepreneurial ideas and projects,” he explains. “The space has created an environment where students can come together and bring their visions to life.”
According to Antony, an entrepreneur is someone “who solves problems, takes risk and identifies opportunities that can achieve a desired goal.” This kind of work thrives in collaborative spaces.
The Crawford Startup Studio embodies the values of Olivet’s new entrepreneurship degree, which graduates its first student this spring.
“The entrepreneurship degree is a good fit for students who want to bring an innovative, outside-the-box mentality to the business world,” Dr. Allen explains. “It’s designed to work well as a double major with not only a traditional business degree but other disciplines too. Imagine an art student or an engineering student, for example, looking to use the tools of their discipline to bring their dynamic vision to the marketplace.”
Both the studio and the entrepreneurship degree at Olivet are part of an initiative that has grown up alongside Olivet’s Createur Conference, an annual conference and pitch competition that brings hundreds of participants and dozens of speakers to campus each spring. Students have a chance to pitch to and learn from industry experts, faith-driven CEOs and entrepreneurs and compete for a $20,000 prize pool. Last year’s keynote speaker was Anne Beiler, the founder of Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and this year’s conference will include Tim Tebow, former NFL quarterback and founder of the nonprofit Tim Tebow Foundation.
The faith-based nature of Olivet’s entrepreneurship program makes it unique.
“It’s about the priority of values,” Karli explains. “What makes a creator an entrepreneur is the willingness to innovate and compete in today’s marketplace with the goal of influencing the world for good. The most successful faith-driven entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily the wealthiest; they’re the ones who remain true to God’s vision.”
Antony agrees: “At Olivet entrepreneurship is another tool for us to glorify Christ. We are encouraged to align our ideas to God’s plan for us to serve others and make a positive impact in our communities.”
