When international student, Samson Agboegbulem listened in on popular western business guru, Greg Weatherdon, he recognized a goal that he hoped would benefit him back home.
“I would like to build on my business skills,” said Agboegbulem. “I’m here to learn so that I can bring those lessons back home and sort of implement it there.”
Agboegbulem, part of the international business management program, came to Algonquin this past year from Port Harcourt, Nigeria where he and his family have worked as one of the largest marketers of petroleum in Africa since 1989.
Former student and renowned Ottawa business advisor and entrepreneur, Greg Weatherdon, made his special appearance at the ACHub on Feb. 9 to share past successes and failures of his in managing his own businesses. The seminar was put on as part of the School of Business’s first Ted Talks-inspired presentation of the semester.
In attendance to the event were students enrolled in the entrepreneur and innovation and the business presentation courses at the college.
The purpose of the presentation was to outline the pitfalls to expect when starting up a small business of your own. Personal experiences of Weatherdon’s were weaved throughout the seminar to demonstrate the ascent to successful and prosperous business management, how to “accomplish all of this and not be the hardest working person in your company”.
“We create our own opportunities in our own lives,” said Weatherdon. “Make sure that you create the lifestyle that you want and hopefully your business will support that lifestyle.”
Weatherdon is currently chairman at the West Ottawa Board of Trade as well as an advisor at Invest Ottawa. He is also president of MRG Media Inc. which focuses on advertising for television.
Algonquin is planning on holding two more business presentations this semester featuring discussions from various businessmen across Ottawa.