The Shoemaker Scholars program brings together 10 Indiana University Bloomington students from a variety of academic disciplines. They encourage other students to explore their own entrepreneurial and innovative interests, and they oversee the StartupIU website that connects students with university-based startups. John and Donna Shoemaker funded the program, which awards annual scholarships to its members. Travis J. Brown launched and directs the program.
Kacey Wood, a junior from Granger, Indiana, majors in marketing and business analytics in the Kelley School of Business. She has been a Shoemaker Scholar for three semesters. Kacey was kind enough to answer questions for the Crimson Catalyst.
Crimson Catalyst: How did you learn about the Shoemaker Scholars program?
Kacey Wood: I learned about it through the StartupIU newsletter.
CC: What impact do Shoemaker Scholars have?
KW: The Shoemaker Scholars program serves as a community and supports those with innovative and creative minds who want to bring their ideas to real life. Most ideas are never acted upon due to the person not having the resources to build that idea. The program’s impact is in providing these resources.
CC: What is a common misconception students have about entrepreneurship and innovation?
KW: If the entrepreneur is the “face of the company,” it is often thought that he or she is the lone person who contributed to the startup’s success. In reality, an entrepreneur’s success is never completely found on their own. Instead, there is a team of interchangeable members along the way who assist in the making of the startup’s success.
CC: How do you share insights with others, as an ambassador?
KW: It’s all about sparking a conversation and listening. If you are able to hear someone’s needs for their project, you can figure out exactly how you can provide assistance.
CC: What are your own entrepreneurial endeavors?
KW: I’ve worked on a wide range of entrepreneurial endeavors, from starting a photography business to casually mentoring on best marketing practices to advertising an up-and-coming musician’s music.
CC: What do you enjoy most about being a Shoemaker Scholar?
KW: I enjoy being surrounded by a wide range of diverse mindsets and personalities.
More information about the Shoemaker Scholars program is available at the following websites:
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