News Releases

Pro-athletes-turned entrepreneurs share wisdom during Entrepreneurship Week

Deron Cherry, Bobby Douglass and Bud Stallworth

Deron Cherry, Bobby Douglass and Bud Stallworth

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Former pro-athletes Deron Cherry (KC Chiefs), Bud Stallworth (KU, Seattle Supersonics) and Bobby Douglass (KU, Chicago Bears) spoke about leveraging their competitive spirit in business during the first KU Global Entrepreneurship Week. The men discussed what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur with students and the public on Nov. 19.

"Each one of them had such a unique story to tell," said Adam Hofmann, KU Entrepreneurship Club President. "It was impossible to not become highly motivated after attending."

At the event, Stallworth discussed his restaurant industry experiences in Hawaii and how he became a Jayhawk. Douglass provided the auditorium with unique thoughts on the real estate business and talked about his stint with restaurants in Chicago and the Eldridge Hotel in Lawrence. Cherry told the inspiring story of becoming a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and what it took to become a part-owner of an NFL franchise.

The three men spoke for an hour and then fielded questions from the audience.

"Each audience member had a key take-away from the event; whether it was having the opportunity to meet a childhood idol or being reminded that it is okay to fail as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving," Hofmann said.

For more information, visit: http://www.business.ku.edu/news-GH5A4


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