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"Entrepreneur in Residence" shares his success

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By April Schulthies

Self-made millionaire John Hughes will visit campus during the week of Oct. 8 to share entrepreneurial ideas. He is the fourth Entrepreneur in Residence for the Craig School of Business' Institute for Developing Entrepreneurial Actions (IDEA). The Entrepreneur in Residence Program is an annual event that invites a successful entrepreneur to share insight into business prosperity.

Hughes is chairman of the Coleman Foundation, Inc., which funds entrepreneurship awareness programs at colleges and universities. He is also an owner of the Schamburg Flyers baseball team. As the 2001 Entrepreneur in Residence, Hughes will open the first session for the sixth annual Central Valley Entrepreneur in Leadership Program, which teaches students how to develop an idea into a viable business plan. He will also speak with the Rotary Club about entrepreneurship and baseball and how the two are related.

As a retired entrepreneur, Hughes has a history of struggle and success. He dropped out of high school in 1944, but after going to night school and becoming a CPA, he was able to found his own accounting firm in 1969. During his career, he also served as CEO of Archibald Candy Corp. and Fannie May Candy Shops, Inc., companies with 260 shops located in 15 different states.

While on campus, Hughes will share his story with business students, faculty, Entrepreneurial Resource Center participants, and Central Valley Business Incubator businesses. A reception will be held in his honor at the Smittcamp Alumni House on Oct. 10 for the community to attend.

"John Hughes is a very dynamic individual," said Genelle Milligan, project manager for the Institute for Developing Entrepreneurial Action. "He is very passionate about young people and their opportunities as entrepreneurs. We are fortunate to have Mr. Hughes on campus to share his experiences and insights with the university students."

Timothy Stearns, co-director of the Entrepreneurship Program and president of the Central Valley Business Incubator, said, "Mr. Hughes is the consummate entrepreneur. He not only has achieved great success in the building of Fannie May Candies to national prominence but has also devoted his life to teaching and helping others who want to pursue the path of self-employment. It is an honor that we are able to attract an individual of this stature to spend a week working with students, faculty and the community."

Former Entrepreneurs in Residence were Bruce Musick of Skyline Concepts in Malaysia, William Lyles of Lyles Diversified Inc. in Fresno, and 40-year radio and television veteran Gary Cocola.

For more information about the visit, contact Stearns at ext. 8-2326 or Genelle Milligan at ext. 8-4959.

Back to University Journal, 9/10/01 Issue