Entrepreneurs Jerry Blakley and Tommy Hagan advise Georgia Southern students
Entrepreneurs, Jerry Blakley of Novel Imaging and Tommy Hagan of Logan Hagan Welding Supply, visited Dr. Dominique Halaby’s entrepreneurship and small business class on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Opening up the floor for questions, the students were able ask the entrepreneurs about their experiences running a business. The students were eager to learn some of the obstacles that Blakley and Hagan had to overcome in order to become successful.
Blakley’s entrepreneur ventures started when he took time to tour the world at age 18. He observed the various processes in which products were developed while meeting people along the way. Taking in the world around him, Blakley became interested in advertising which he found to be quite expensive. Thus, he began looking for a way to make an effective, but cheap method.
His company, Novel Imaging Digital Advertising, is now dedicated to taking the advertiser to the consumer outside of their home. Companies are able to run multiple advertisements, both video and still ads, and are guaranteed 20 times more exposure for far less money as competing agencies.
Hagan, on the other hand, comes from a long line of family entrepreneurs. His great grandfather actually owned a farm in Statesboro. In 1902, his grandfather started his own grocery story from crops grown on the farm. Following in their footsteps, Hagan’s father then used the story to show tools. After graduating, Hagan took on the family business which he changed to focus on welding. “Whatever you do, you may end up doing something different,” Hagan said. “So stay open minded to any opportunities that arise.”
Another student asked how the entrepreneurs felt schooling prepared them to own their own business. Hagan expressed how important education is to being a successful entrepreneur. He encouraged the students to stay motivated and stay interested in their education. “Education is life, and you will not get the most of life without a broad education,” Hagan said.Opening up the floor to questions, one student asked about how to protect their idea. Blakley advised to keep their ideas
to themselves until they work out all the details. “There’s no such things as a bad idea, but just make sure that the market is ready for it,” Blakley said. “Be confidential with your information, but always look to improve.”