Ohio State students showcased businesses they’ve launched with the university’s support during the Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit. The Fisher College of Business presented the event earlier this month at the Blackwell Inn on Ohio State’s Columbus campus.
The annual gathering brings together students, alumni and industry leaders to explore new ideas and partnerships, said Fisher Interim Dean Aravind Chandrasekaran.
“At Fisher, entrepreneurship is not just about launching new companies or new ideas. It’s a mindset,” he said. “It’s about seeing opportunity where others see obstacles. It’s about taking initiative to make things better in business, in our communities and across the world.”
The summit included panel discussions and the Student Entrepreneur Marketplace, featuring student ventures supported through the Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Entrepreneurial Initiative.
Sarah Hallock, a 2024 graduate, and Parker Haskett, an information systems major, said they launched their textile company, The Bazaar Collaborative, with the support of incubator programs offered by the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship, the Moritz College of Law and other campus organizations.
“They’ve given me so many resources: I got an intern, I got three semesters in the [Moritz] Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic,” Hallock said. “The connections and the network that I gained from Ohio State were incredible.”
Luke Carrell, an MBA student, said Ohio State instructors and mentors have provided both business and moral support to help him launch his company. Carrell’s Side Coach Sports connects athletes with trainers in various disciplines.
“There’s no better university with our entrepreneurship programs,” he said. “There are tons and tons of people who really helped me get myself out there, gave me confidence to go out and do it and also raise funds through the business pitch competitions.”
During a panel discussion, students spoke about the professional development they’ve received in their roles as assistants in Ohio State’s partnership with Nike. Student assistants help coordinate 5k runs and other campus and community events.
Taji Flynn, a kinesiology major and lacrosse player, said he’s learned networking and relationship-building skills.
“It’s really brought me out of my comfort zone and out of my shell in terms of meeting other people, learning how to work and collaborate with people, especially on such big projects,” he said. “The ideation, the setup, the actual running of the events, all of that challenged me to grow individually, but also learning how to work with a team.”
Other panel discussions featured alumni discussing how their Ohio State education and ongoing affiliation with the university have helped their businesses grow.
Adam Benner and Walt Keys, 2006 graduates and cofounders of Land-Grant Brewing Co., said partnering with Jason Rawls, an Ohio State assistant music professor, has attracted new customers to their Franklinton business. Rawls organizes an event at Land-Grant called Salve! in which he and internationally recognized DJs such as Talib Kweli and Pete Rock play dance music from cultures around the world.
“Columbus doesn’t really have that much of a DJ scene, but he brings them to the brewery,” Benner said. “We look around and see people having a good time, and it’s growing. … Did we create an experience for people in Columbus that they wouldn’t otherwise have?”
Ellie Katherine Bevington said the skills she’s building as a first-year finance major have helped her expand her student venture, EMJewelryCo. She donates a portion of her business proceeds to a nonprofit she founded, Helping the Hardworking. The charity provides workers whose efforts make a positive social impact with gift cards to local businesses.
“I’m so grateful for how this community has already shaped me,” Bevington said. “Professors at Fisher have given me new ways to think about business, and being a part of this community has reminded me that leadership is not about titles. It’s about purpose.”
