Engler Program

Description

The Engler program is a business incubator that seeks to build enterprises that contribute value to agriculture and communities by nurturing, challenging, and equipping entrepreneurial talent. Getting to the BIG IDEA means developing and discarding dozens of others. It's about the process. And that process includes failure. Probably lots of it. But eventually, lightning strikes. The light bulb goes on. The fog clears. And suddenly, you have that "Eureka!" moment.

Roles

I was an Engler Entrepreneur from 2018 to 2020. I competed in several business pitch competitions where I broke down my business plan to a committee of judges. I pitched several businesses but my most passionate idea was for an eco-friendly distillery that used advanced separation technology to produce alcoholic drinks flavored with avocados. I called the business Avagadros and plan to pursue this business venture after college. 

Takeaways

As an Engler Entrepreneur, I received a lot of feedback about my business ideas and this was invaluable. I failed all the time and it was an important growth opportunity.  I learned that I am never alone in my failures or successes and that new opportunities are always around the corner. I'll always be among other creative, courageous, and collaborative souls who want to start businesses, contribute to society, and simply learn to think differently. I become an Engler Entrepreneur to learn about how to start a business and even though I failed, I learned so much and made many connections.