Entrepreneurship at Belmont extends far beyond the academic major housed in the Jack C. Massey College of Business. Having an interdisciplinary impact and universal campus presence among students, faculty, staff and alumni, entrepreneurship takes flight at Belmont. The entrepreneurs-in-residence (EIR) program within the Thomas F. Cone Sr. Center for Entrepreneurship helps foster Belmont’s entrepreneurial spirit through alumni mentorship.
On Wednesday, the 2023-2024 EIR cohort was introduced to students in the Jack C. Massey Center. Meredith Mazie (Commercial Music ’10, founder of ABEDNEGO Boutique) and Ryan Reisdorf (Nursing ’19, founder of Placemat) are returning to the EIR program. Ryan Brown (Communications and Spanish ’03, co-founder of LQD Wifi) and Erin O. Anderson (Business Administration ’06, founder of Olivia Management) are new additions.
“I’m so excited to be an entrepreneur in residence,” said Anderson who is also a Belmont adjunct professor. “Communing with students and helping them understand that entrepreneurship can be a path to freedom and joy is, I think, my true life mission.”
Following the student session, the EIRs met with leadership from the College of Music and Performing Arts, the College of Business and the College of Art for a brainstorming session about entrepreneurship on campus. They discussed redefining entrepreneurship in ways that open students’ perspectives about what it means to be an entrepreneur and amplifying the work the EIRs do to support students.
“The way students respond to entrepreneurs in residence is really special,” said Elizabeth Gortmaker, Executive Director of the Cone Center. “Because they’re alums and because they are young, they feel relatable in a fresh way. There is so much wisdom between [the EIRs]. Students of any discipline can learn things from them even if it’s not the path to starting a business.”
As alumni who graduated with different degrees and run successful businesses in different industries, EIRs are able to meet students from all majors who have varying degrees of entrepreneurial experience.
EIRs hold weekly office hours on the fifth floor of Massey Center. Any student can reserve a 30-minute meeting with any EIRs. Bios for this year’s entrepreneurs in residence are available.