Walking through the University of Chicago Medical School Campus, I was nostalgic about college. I was meeting my buddy Max Beatty for a Creative Entrepreneurship Workshop organized my Minogi and the University of Illinois iFoundry.

The atmosphere was relaxed and encouraging – the entrepreneurs in the room kept a chill ambiance with intriguing explanations of their ventures. You can tell a lot about a person’s demeanor in a public setting. I could see why these people where successful. I know, sounds cheesy. But this was one of the things that validated it for me. I sacrificed a 11am tee time on a beautiful Saturday for this. And it was well worth it.

Minogi Logo

A particularly interesting story was that of John Naber – a current junior in college who with his university’s sponsorship created a company that designs, manufactures, and sells prosthetic limbs to people in third world countries: Illini Prosthetics Team. Kind of blows your mind what this kid has accomplished at such a young age.

Workshops like these are great ways for entrepreneurs to learn, network, collaborate, and get inspired. The connections that you can establish are typically more valuable than the actual content of the workshop. Also, it’s a synergistic affect being around talented and motivated people. Max and I both left vowing to pursue more of our ideas rather than letting them slip by while we sulk in our day jobs.

For a better, more comprehensive review of the workshop, check out Max Beatty’s post on his blog.