Vincent DiMenna listened to UF alumni talk about entrepreneurship Friday.
The UF sociology sophomore was one of about 300 students who attended the UF Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center’s 2016 Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium. Last year, only UF entrepreneurship students could attend, said Michael H. Morris, the academic director for the Entrepreneurship Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
For the second annual conference, the center wanted to open it to all students to bring in more people, said Michelle Kunz, a member of the event’s marketing committee.
The center started planning the conference, held at the University Auditorium, in August 2015, he said. The conference was co-sponsored by the Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research.
During the conference, five female speakers told students how they became successful entrepreneurs.
Kathy Fields, the creator of Proactiv acne medicine, told students they need to work hard.
“How long does it take to be successful?” Fields asked. “Decades,” she answered.
She told the crowd achievement isn’t based on their school, gender or race.
“You have to be ready to move and adapt, you have to think bigger, you have to be trustworthy and you have to have confidence,” Fields said.
DiMenna, 20, said he enjoyed hearing how the female speakers have overcome challenges in the workplace.
“Obviously there is a gender inequality in this society, but now it’s starting to equal out,” he said.
