Guest lectures - 2013
| Class date(s): | 20 November 2013 | ||||
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20 November 2013 (12B)
Guest lecture, Robert Kulperger, Chemical Engineering alumnus from 1963 on entrepreneurship and business.
- Robert (Bob) Kulperger founded a company in 1989 called Natural Chemistry (pet, pool and spa formula products). The company has expanded to include a broad spectrum of enzymes and has a manufacturing facility in Campbellford, Ontario and Syracuse, NY, and two more plants in the East.
A big thanks to Bob for his insightful remarks and taking the time to speak with our class.
Speaker's notes
This presentation will be ex tempera so that the attendees can ask any and all questions regarding the subject matter.
Introduction to topic and considerations of whether or not an individual should consider an entrepreneurial enterprise.
Brief introduction to speaker including background prior to McMaster and current business interests.
Discussion of what it's like to start an entrepreneurial enterprise, including concepts, funding, and hardships likely to be encountered.
Typical lifecycle of an entrepreneurial enterprise from start up through potential bankruptcy through possible short sale and finally to cash flow and overall profitability.
Necessity of various funding sources from initial start up to bank relationships, most of which will be the responsibility of the entrepreneur.
What to do when the going gets rough as it invariably will. Necessity of having adequate funding at all stages or the ability to get funding.
What to do in the early stages of the enterprise and when it successful regarding equity interests of employees and other responsible parties.
Winding up the enterprise unless there is a family member or other person in a position to buy or continue to run the enterprise.
Necessity of always maintaining control via major equity ownership. Discussion of avoiding the pitfalls of giving out too much equity early and ending up with a small minority position and therefore no control.
Other questions will be responded to depending on the interest of the attendees.