Category: Alumni

Life as a professional artist inherently demands entrepreneurial prowess, particularly when it comes to acting. As an actor, you are your product, brand, CEO, and lead sales person. Much like developing an elevator pitch for a new venture, an actor needs to communicate who they are to an audience in a matter of seconds. It can be thrilling or terrifying depending on one’s preparation and confidence. Eric Emerick, a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation alumnus, who is making a career in film & television,  recognizes that he has to “control his controllables,” and create his own luck as much as possible.

Trice Rias-Thompson’s energy is contagious, and she has a spirit for entrepreneurship that continues to bring her success. Trice is a 2012 alumna of Purdue’s Selling and Sales Management program, and she holds the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Today, she is a Managing Producer at a company called Studio 71 in Los Angeles and is the co-owner of Trindi Media Group. She even continues the DJ business she started while at Purdue; most recently, she did an event for the Jim Henson Company!

Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation alum, Sophie Nguyen, is now the CEO and Founder of So Gold Marketing, a real estate marketing and media company based in Silicon Valley.

Sunny Yuqing Sun is a 2016 graduate of the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation program with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. After graduating from Purdue she attended John Hopkins University where she received a degree in International Studies and Research.

Students’ share appreciation and the value of guest speaker experiences in their entrepreneurship courses. Many speakers have returned to campus, but having the online option has opened up the possibility to engage with entrepreneurs and alumni of the program who live all over the world.  

Thank you to Heather Howard from, Escape Velocity, for speaking to the students in two capstone courses, ENTR 48000 and ENTR 48100.

The Mission of the HAWK Foundation is Helping All With Kindness. We will provide free seasonal events specifically for Families who have members with Special Needs. These “giving events” will culminate and insure that the Spirit of Giving found at Christmas lasts all year long.

RiverTree Insurance is participating in our Consulting Capstone, ENTR 48100, which is taught by Susan Woods.

Amplified Sciences is a life science diagnostics company focused on accurately detecting and pre-empting the risks of debilitating diseases with operations in Purdue Research Park and key alliances in San Francisco and Boston.