Jackie Babicky-Peterson

Jackie Babicky-Peterson is a CPA/entrepreneur who has owned her own business for over 30 years. She has taught numerous business seminars and classes for private clients, the Small Business Development Center and entrepreneurship programs at various universities. Jackie is a community activist around small business issues. She currently chairs the City of Portland Small Business Advisory Council which works directly with the Mayor and City council on policy development of programs that will enhance small business prosperity. She holds a BA in Economics and a Masters in Organizational Management.
Session Title: Basics of Business.
Session Description: The program will offer a self assessment for you to make sure you are ready to become a business owner. It will also cover basics of what you need to put in place to open your business; both technical and personal skills. There will be lots of time for Q&A so bring your dreams and your questions and come to this highly interactive and energizing session.

Carolynn Duncan
Carolynn Duncan is a consultant specializing in entrepreneurship, microbusiness, and capital networks.
Session Title: What Kind of Funding are You Eligible For?
Session Description: This session will be a focused guide to the types of funding available to you. From committing to a bare-bones plan to navigating the waters of private investment, we'll discuss whose money will get you from where you are to where you're going.

Bridget Benton
Bridget Benton is a mixed media artist, art facilitator, and creativity trainer who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art and a Master's Degree in Creativity. Her fiber work has been sold at craft events and stores across the country, and her assemblage, fiber collage, and encaustic works have appeared in gallery shows throughout the Northwest. Bridget has appeared as a guest craft expert on the television show AM Northwest, and her art tutorials have been featured on whipup.com and craftzine.com.
Session Title: Creative Entrepreneurship: Conception to Actualization
Session Description: Bridget is a fervent entrepreneur, with a passion for both art and business. Creativity is her life's blood, and creativity is what art and business have in common. In Friday's interactive talk, Bridget will share what she knows about the creative process, the blocks that entrepreneurs hit from conception through development to actualization, and provide some tips for moving through those blocks. Bridget will help you understand what parts of the creative process come naturally to you, and where you may need to get help in order to make your dream a reality!

Mark Paul
Mark Paul has extensive executive level leadership experience. He has led start-ups through public companies in his 19 years in interim executive and consulting work. Before starting his consulting practice he spent 10 years at Northrop Corporation (Global 500 company), where (as an intrapreuner) he built a 250-person, multi-million dollar business unit in two years. He has a degree in Physics, a patent, more pending and published several editions of "The Entrepreneur's Survival Guide" and published his 2nd book "How to Attract Significantly More Customers" in March, 2008.
Session Title: What to do Before You Quit Your Day Job
Session Description: Do you have a great idea? Have you developed a new technology that everyone should buy? Are you looking for investment money to build a company? Or corporate approval & funding for your new project? Have you been struggling to get your company or idea off the ground; or trouble building sales? Mark Paul will uncover the reasons why start-ups and major corporate initiatives fail, and what you can do about it! What every entre/intrapreneur needs to know before starting a company.

Peter Korchnak
Peter Korchnak launched Semiosis Communications in 2008 following his marketing and fundraising work with Domestic Violence Resource Center. From promoting high school dances to public relations at a Volkswagen assembly plant to his new venture, Peter has recognized the power of relationship-building for organizational success. A Slovakia native and Southeast Portland resident, he has a master's in international relations, which he keep alive with occasional publication. Except when he's busy with guerrilla yard work, trail running, ice/roller hockey, and travel.
Session Title: One page startup marketing plan: The power of marketing
without marketing.
Session Description: Visualize your destination, chart the landmarks, and go. Put niche marketing at the heart of your startup in a single page.