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The
   Entrepreneur Files

​A UARF weekly blog series featuring articles written from the UARF team members.

Learn about new ideas, business tips, and hear our personal stories about 
the things we learned from you, the entrepreneurs!
Scroll down for the latest article!

Navigating Your Inbox: Practical Strategies for Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail Users

11/16/2023

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Written by Trent Thomas
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Your email inbox is a digital sanctuary that demands careful management to stay organized and stress-free. Whether you're a Gmail aficionado, rely on the comprehensive suite of Outlook, or appreciate the classic charm of Yahoo Mail, adopting effective inbox management practices is key. In this guide, we'll explore practical strategies to help you achieve a clutter-free and streamlined email experience. ​
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Building Unity with Your Team

11/2/2023

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Written by Rachel Wasik

There are multiple factors that can hinder a project’s success. I
n most cases, the project can be intertwined with unforeseen setbacks. Shortages in material, increased costs, delays in manufacturing, and waiting on feedback all take time and, depending on the severity, can significantly delay success. If every project, and every team, encounters unavoidable delays, what steps can be taken to distinguish a successful project from a failed project? Often, it is the unity of the team that helps launch projects to success. In order to prioritize the synchronization of your team, it is important to understand the full picture of the project, as well as where people thrive. 
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Happy 10th Birthday, I-Corps!

10/19/2023

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Written by Elyse Ball

With the kickoff of our Fall 2023 cohort, I-Corps officially turned 10! When UARF launched the I-Corps program in Fall 2013, it was with a group of 14 teams, all from University of Akron and Kent State University,
convening in a basement conference room to try to figure out how to do customer discovery. Our current cohort comprises 34 teams from 8 universities across Ohio, 2 healthcare systems, and the broader Northeast Ohio community of entrepreneurs… and we all know a lot more about customer discovery by now.
 

Over the past 10 years, I-Corps has: 
  • Graduated 450 teams and 1,500 participants 
  • Launched 60 new startup companies 
  • Helped startup companies raise $34M in follow-on funding to bring their products or services to market 
 
I personally am grateful to I-Corps for all of the valuable lessons it has taught me, including lessons from faculty, students, mentors, entrepreneurs and my fellow instructors. Here are some of my favorites: 

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My Top Northeastern Ohio Trails

9/28/2023

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Written by Shannon Marshburn

Walking outside in nature can be a powerful way to reduction stress. The simple act of stepping into nature, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, can have an immediate calming effect on the mind. With the beautiful turn of the season, now is a great time to get out there and enjoy the fall days.  
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Northeastern Ohio is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts, offering some amazing walking trails that allow you to immerse yourself in nature. From tranquil forested paths to breathtaking lakefront routes, the region has something to offer for everyone. In this blog, we'll take you on a journey through some of the best free walking trails in Northeastern Ohio. 
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​Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a haven for nature lovers, located between Cleveland and Akron. The park boasts an extensive network of walking trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes. Explore scenic waterfalls, lush forests, and the iconic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, offering a glimpse into the region's historical past.
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This spot is: The Ledges Trailhead 

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Tips for Any Pitch

8/31/2023

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Written by Nick Glavan

​I wanted to take this week’s blog to offer some overarching tips for the upcoming pitch events the entrepreneurial ecosystem will be hosting over the autumn season.
These are some of the most common critiques I’ve heard over my past couple years working with startups and occasionally serving as a judge for pitch competitions. And while each pitch opportunity and set of judges will be looking for something specific according to their contests’ criteria, these tips hopefully provide overarching advice on how to put your best pitch forward.
 

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The UARF Book It! Challenge

8/10/2023

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Written By Elyse Ball
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Every year when August rolls around, I feel a compulsion to read more.
Maybe, it’s a result of the combined high temperatures, humidity and pollen count driving me to spend more hours inside. Maybe, it’s all of those grade school and college summer reading lists. But every year, when the calendar flips over to August, I think about reading and, even more specifically, I think about how reading 5 books ought to earn me a free personal pan pizza.
 

That’s right, for those of us who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, Pizza Hut’s iconic Book It! program links reading lots of books and eating lots of pizza in our minds. (For those who aren’t familiar, Book It! rewarded grade school students with free personal pan pizzas for reaching reading goals, which typically included reading 5 books in a set amount of time.)  
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In honor of this classic and innovative initiative to get kids to read more, I decided UARF should issue its own Book It! Challenge this summer. It’s simple: 

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Network Like a Pro!

6/29/2023

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Written by Shannon Marshburn 
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Networking events are starting to make a comeback and there are so many out there to choose from.
These events can help you level up your community connections and open some new doors for you. Most events are free, so it is hard to say no to an evening of conversation and community.
 
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Here are some tips for networking and how you get the most value out of the next event you go to. ​

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The Benefits of Being a Faculty Team Member in I-Corps

6/15/2023

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Written by Nick Glavan

​We kicked off yet another cohort of I-Corps last Friday, and our 10-year anniversary of our I-Corps program at University of Akron is just around the corner. I wanted to take some time in this week’s blog to talk about a pivotal role on many of our I-Corps teams – the faculty Academic Lead – and why faculty should consider being an active member in our program. 
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This one is for all university faculty, and especially those who want their students to develop in-demand skillsets and have life changing experiences. 


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7 Tips for Writing Better Professional Emails

6/1/2023

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Written by Elyse Ball

As we kick off our summer I-Corps session next week, dozens of innovators, entrepreneurs and students will find themselves reaching out to potential interviewees via email, LinkedIn messaging or via chat forums. While it may simple, a well-crafted message can be the difference between landing a meaningful interview or failing to connect at all.  
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In service of upping your interview game, here are 7 simple tips for writing better professional emails. These same tactics can also apply to any other written or verbal communication where you are trying to land new contacts. 


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Market Sizing Basics

5/18/2023

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Written by Linda Hale
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TAM, SAM, SOM, Bottom-up, Top-Down – What does this mean… 
As you travel through your entrepreneurial journey you will inevitably be asked “how big is your market?” Maybe you’ve received a request for a “bottom-up, or top-down market analysis.” or been asked to identify your TAM, SAM, or SOM? 
Market sizing is important. Potential partners, investors, and other stakeholders need to know that the overall market opportunity is large enough to warrant their attention and that you understand your product’s specific portion of that opportunity. ​

So, let’s break it all down and empower you to tell your market sizing story in a quick and cohesive way. 

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