Several of Samford’s Brock School of Business entrepreneurship students and alumni are preparing to launch or have recently launched new companies.  Rob Jackman, a 2013 graduate of the Brock School’s entrepreneurship program, has raised the money needed to open an Iron Tribe fitness center.  He and his partners will open two locations in Greenville, S.C.  While in school, Jackman worked as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym in Vestavia Hills, Ala. Since graduating, he has been a coach at Iron Tribe in Montgomery, Ala.  Howard Finch, dean of the Brock School of Business and professor of finance, advised Jackman on how to attract and negotiate with investors to help launch his own Iron Tribe centers. 

Work of Worth (WoW), which imports fair trade, handcrafted goods from entrepreneurs in  countries in the developing world, will be launching their fall product line at an event on Sept. 9 from 5-8 p.m. at Christian Service Mission in Birmingham.  Five Brock School students--Daniel Denning, Olivia Dunn, Drew Fahrion, Ben Goolsby and Madison Kerns--wrote WoW’s business plan under the supervision of Jeremy Thornton, associate professor of economics and Social Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator.  They earned fourth place at the TCU Ventures and Values Competition and second place in the Region’s New Venture Challenge in April 2014 for their business plan, and several have remained involved in the start-up of the company.

“We are proud that our students and recent alumni are living their entrepreneurial dream,” said Finch.  “Entrepreneurs like them are the heroes of economic growth.”