Entrepreneurs enlighten Georgia Southern entrepreneurship students
Georgia Southern University students were intrigued by local entrepreneurs Phillip Jennings III and Ellwood G. Ivey during their class visit. Jim Williams, the Chair of the Advisory Council for the Center for Entrepreneurial Learning and Leadership, hosted the two businesses men during his entrepreneurship class on March 6. Jennings and Ivey brought passion and enthusiasm to their lectures while encouraging hard work and determination to be a successful entrepreneur.
While growing up, Jennings’ family was on a tight budget, which led him to start working when he was quite young. “From the time I was 12, I was pushing a lawn mower mowing seven to 10 lawns in one day- and most of the time in a trot,” said Jennings. “I was able to put about $50 to $100 in the bank every week, which was a lot of money at the time.”
When Jennings got older, he found himself working his way through college. After he graduated and found a teaching job he had a feeling of wanting more. In 1998, after 16 years at the same job, he decided he had enough. “I walked into the school and said, ‘I’m through,’” said Jennings. “I had been there too long and found myself too comfortable in my niche.”
After doing some research, Jennings discovered there was a huge demand for turf at the time. He decided to open Jennings Turf Farms, LLC. The company developed all types of turf including a grass that was salt and drought tolerant. Jennings Turf Farms was successful for a number of years reaching a peak of $25 million a year until the massive downturn in housing and development. “Change just brought more change,” said Jennings. “Businesses go out of business all the time because of lack of use. Society is changing and we have to adapt to change.”
Jennings realized as an entrepreneur he needed to start looking to develop his “next big idea.” Although he is currently on the brink of three new concepts, he only shared one with the class- attire for dogs. “I’m diversifying,” said Jennings. “I’m moving into a different realm of something I’ve never done before, but you wouldn’t believe the market that is out there of pet lovers!”
According to Jennings, part of being an entrepreneur is change. “There is no disgrace in failure if you did your best,” said Jennings. “You just have to sometimes regroup and start again.”
After Jennings finished his lecture, students were given the opportunity to ask questions. One student asked, “What was the hardest thing you had to give up as an entrepreneur?” Jennings admitted giving up his social life as a young entrepreneur definitely created a challenge. “Unless you are committed, it will not be easy,” Jennings said.
Just as Jennings began his lecture with early entrepreneurial efforts, so did Ivey. “I came from humble beginnings myself,” said Ivey. “I remember my first entrepreneur effort was selling sweet potato pie with my grandmother.” Besides selling pies, Ivey also formed a rhythm and blues band when he was only 10 years-old. He and his friends played at various spots on weekends and could make $100 in just one night! “One hundred dollars was a big a deal in the mid 70’s,” said Ivey.
Ivey’s biggest project didn’t begin until after a tragic car crash that involved the death of several of his close friends. “Entrepreneurs look at a tragedy and try to turn it into a plus,” said Ivey. “That’s exactly what I did.” He started looking into the history of DUIs and began tooling with the idea of a car detection system that indicated if a person was inebriated. With this idea came the need of experienced researchers and unfortunately, issues with the law. He launched the DUIE Project, but it would take Ivey and his team 10 to 15 years before they would begin to be fully supported. Recently, Ivey licensed the technology to Tran Biotech, Inc.
Always looking for an opportunity, Ivey has invested his time in other endeavors. He recently licensed another technology for a new 4D game console with a smell effect that should be in the market this year. Ivey’s interest in technology doesn’t stop there. He also just started a website called shareideas.me, a sharing community for creative people “to protect, perfect and prosper from their ideas and their expertise.” Holding 10 patents and many other copyrights and trademarks from the U.S. Patent and Trade Mark Office, Ivey understands the frustrations of the process. According to Ivey, the idea behind the website is to help entrepreneurs protect their idea until they can patent it.
When students were given the opportunity to ask Ivey questions, one student asked, “During those 10 to 15 years before you were supported for your technology didn’t you ever want to just quit?” Ivey explained he knew he was doing the right thing because of his research. “I never wanted to give up, but I can definitely say I was frustrated,” said Ivey.
Williams concluded the lecture thanking the two entrepreneurs and explaining that their stories just further reconfirmed what the students have been learning in class. “We have been discussing what a person must sacrifice in the real world,” said Williams. “Obviously, an entrepreneur must think their idea is worth it in order to be successful.”
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