Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs, successes and failures. Mark Saad, a graduate of Poole College, shared his first memorable stumble as an entrepreneur during a panel at the annual Raleigh-Durham Startup Week. He recounted the experience of trying to market 65,000 pairs of children’s flip-flops without a backstrap, resulting in only 10% of them being sold in the first year. Saad’s willingness to talk about his failure highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and embracing setbacks as part of the entrepreneurial journey.
Startup Week, sponsored by NC State’s Entrepreneurship Clinic and supported by NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is a platform that brings together established and aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and business professionals. The event offers a wide range of discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on different stages of entrepreneurship, from early idea conception to high-growth scaling.
The event, which saw a record attendance of 1,600 participants from across the U.S., provides a strong community for entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow. With over 50 workshops and keynote talks, attendees gain practical advice and valuable networking opportunities. The Entrepreneurship Clinic, which works with students university-wide, plays a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
Haley Huie, the director of the Entrepreneurship Clinic, emphasizes the importance of community partnerships and NC State’s role as a driving force for entrepreneurship in the area. Many attendees of Startup Week are Poole College and NC State alumni and students, who benefit from engaging with successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Students in Huie’s Entrepreneurship Clinic class have the opportunity to interact with startup icons and gain valuable insights into the startup culture. By providing founder-level access, students learn by doing and immerse themselves in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Saad, a Poole graduate, leveraged unique opportunities during his time at NC State to start his first business, which eventually led to a successful career in entrepreneurship.
Saad’s experience with Feelgoodz, a footwear company he led as CEO, taught him valuable lessons about understanding the needs of the target market before launching a product. Despite the initial setback with the flip-flops, Saad’s leadership eventually led Feelgoodz to a 500% growth rate. He later co-founded Sherpa Collaborative, a business consulting and investment company based in Raleigh.
The success of Startup Week lies in its ability to provide access to investors, mentorship opportunities, and a supportive network for startups. By bringing together a diverse group of individuals who are equally invested in growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the event fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth. Huie and her team understand the needs of attendees and work tirelessly to create a platform that empowers entrepreneurs to succeed.
