The idea that keeps you up at night: Entrepreneurship leaders inspire at the executive forum

On the evening of March 23, the Pat Peterson Museum Education Room at Georgia College & State University came alive with conversation, ideas and a shared vision for the future of Middle Georgia. The Executive Forum brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs and business minds for a dynamic discussion on entrepreneurship and innovation in Middle Georgia.

The forum featured three distinguished presenters whose work is shaping the entrepreneurial landscape of the region. Rob Betzel, entrepreneur, founding member of SparkMacon, and EOS Certified implementer and Entrepreneurial coach with Grit Consulting, brought his expertise in helping businesses operate with clarity and purpose. Robert Grant, executive director of SparkMacon and Educate Program manager at Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center, shared his passion for connecting founders with the tools, training and networks needed to turn ideas into sustainable businesses — work that spans entrepreneurship education, financial literacy and practical business support across Middle Georgia. Rounding out the panel was Kara Lassiter, president & CEO of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce, who has spent over a decade strengthening local businesses and community connections. Since joining the Chamber in 2015, Lassiter has helped expand its reach through initiatives like the Chamber Foundation, the Youth Entrepreneur Program, the National Civics Bee and Serve Milly.

Together, the three presenters explored an array of business ideas and unpacked the many ways the community can better support entrepreneurship — from youth all the way to working adults. The conversation touched on the robust programming already underway through SparkMacon, which serves a remarkably wide range of entrepreneurs: middle schoolers discovering business basics through The Lemonade Stand, high school and adult innovators exploring STEM2Startup and Creative Pathways, veterans finding their footing through Mission2Market, Spanish-speaking adults building businesses via Emprender Aquí, adults with disabilities pursuing opportunity through ATDC Educate and the broader entrepreneurial community coming together each year for Macon Startup Week and weekly Innovation Wednesdays. They talked about that idea that keeps you up in the middle of the night and shared that entrepreneurs are the ones that make those ideas come to life. Surprisingly, though, only seven percent of the population is wired to be true entrepreneurs!

The energy in the room reflected something larger than a single evening's event. 

As Betzel put it: "Thank you to Georgia College & State University for hosting this. It's very unique for a university to do this and bring together this kind of community to talk about development and engagement. I think y'all are doing the right things to help Baldwin County grow." 

In fact, our Department of Management, Marketing & Logistics recently launched an entrepreneurship minor, and there are many projects underway from Georgia College & State University to support these efforts through the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

It was an evening that made one thing clear: Middle Georgia's entrepreneurial spirit is not only alive, but growing, and there is a strong and connected community ready to help it thrive.