Are you an innovative thinker, a problem solver, or someone who wants to make an impact on their community? Have you ever wondered how to join a startup or become an entrepreneur after graduation, but weren't sure how?
Join Venture For America and NEOLaunchNET for a virtual panel to learn more about the Fellowship.
Highlights include a built in community of like minded folks, the chance to fill your resume with real world experience, and full-time (salaried!) employment with local experts.
Naomi Winston is an individual dedicated to her undergrad's mission statement "of creating a more just and humane society." She has put forth this effort in her entrepreneurial work through her company Revolutionary Hearts Industries, and its coloring book series The Creative Representation Empire (TCRE), where she illustrates/publishes coloring books and conducts workshops to further a mission of creative representation for Black and Brown kids. In addition to that, she has spent the duration of her professional career working for ecosystem builders and centers for entrepreneurship to provide representation, create resources/opportunities and to encourage everyone, particularly people of color, into the journey and wealth-building that entrepreneurship offers.
In the future, she hopes to become a New York Times Best Seller, to travel the country teaching young adults how to utilize their life to change the lives of others, start scholarships for those individuals college and trade school bound, but overall to have her company Revolutionary Hearts Industries and its coloring book line TCRE be the empire of creative representation for the Black and Brown community.
"My mission is to create mirrors of representation for underrepresented communities, but portals of understanding for those not a part of those communities." --Naomi Winston
My name is Jane Klaus. I am currently a Team Lead and Data Engineer at Coursedog, a higher education technology startup that provides scheduling and curriculum management software to colleges and universities. Prior to this role, I was a Software Developer at CampusESP, another EdTech company focused on parent engagement in higher education. This is where I spent my two years as a 2020 Venture for America fellow in Philadelphia. My ultimate goal is to build my own startup one day and continue contributing to entrepreneurial ecosystems outside of the traditional tech hubs.
Ani Solomon is the Manager of Recruitment with Venture For America.
Prior to joining Venture For America, Ani spent most of her career in Student Affairs, creating programs and training opportunities focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Most recently she served as an Assistant Director of Residential Communities, where she supported the on-campus living experience of several thousand college students.
Ani is passionate about relationship building and organizational development and is thrilled to be a part of the Venture For America team. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.A. in Journalism and received her M.S. in Higher Education from the University of Toledo.
Outside of work, Ani enjoys reading, crafts, and spending time with her spouse.
Some people say that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” While that may be true in many
instances, the only career that I have ever known is being an entrepreneur.
Thanks to my father, I learned first-hand how creating your own business teaches self-reliance and the
ability to control one’s destiny. My father created and owned multiple businesses – general contracting,
snow plowing, car washes, etc. I was often on the job sites with him and watched how he managed the
businesses, personnel and the many decisions he faced every day.
At the age of eight, I developed my own first business – a vending machine that was installed close to
my grade school. I monitored which snacks and drinks sold the best and often questioned my classmates
on their snacking preferences. After that, I continued to start other new business ventures.
Upon high school graduation, I attended Lorain County Community College (LCCC) to earn my
associate’s degree in sports and fitness management. I continued with LCCC’s University Partnership
program to obtain my bachelor’s and master of business administration (MBA) from Tiffin University. I
also started my position as the program coordinator for NEO LaunchNET – LCCC’s entrepreneurial
department – where I am still employed.
In my position, I have the opportunity to merge my passion for entrepreneurship with business coaching
for NEO LaunchNET clients. I also run business competitions, conduct community and classroom
presentations, teach “Lemonade Day” summer camps and, most recently, produce a podcast that
features visionary leaders in our community.
Along with my daily duties, I’ve had multiple brands as a seller on Amazon and have taught Amazon’s e-
commerce courses. I have also authored and published two books – “The Entrepreneur’s Power” and
“The Ultimate Memory Improvement Guide.” Most recently, I had a song that I wrote and performed
published to streaming platforms, called “Always Be Mom to Me.”
In my “free” time, it may seem obvious, but I love to learn! I am always taking classes and developing
new skills. My latest interests are cooking, playing the guitar and ukulele, walking my dog (Frank), eating
out in new restaurants and sampling wine. My eclectic range of interests also includes volunteer work,
amateur stand-up comedy, serving as an officiant at weddings, woodworking and reiki, among others.
The best advice I give to clients and to anyone interested in becoming an entrepreneur is to simply go
for it. A “no” from someone doesn’t mean to stop what you are doing and give up. It just means to try
another path and pivot in a new direction. There is always another way.
Brittain Elswick is the LaunchNET program manager at Case Western Reserve University with 7 years of programming experience working with students. During this time, she has fostered relationships with NEO companies, organized funding opportunities for student startups, and hosted many nationally recognized events in former roles. Despite being a program manager, Brittain specializes in marketing and branding, and excels in helping startups find their brand voice. In her free time, Brittain is a competitive rock climbing coach, avid outdoorswoman, and cat-parent.
