TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Human Environmental Sciences and Culverhouse College of Commerce are hosting the annual Celebrate Entrepreneurship at the UA Speaker’s Forum Wednesday, Oct. 14.
“The speaker forum is an opportunity for UA students, faculty and staff to hear the stories of successful entrepreneurs, most often UA alums,” said Tommie Syx, program specialist with the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute.
This year’s forum features UA graduate Roxi Suger and David Kahn.
Suger is an apparel designer, manufacturer and retail business owner. After founding and managing her successful apparel business Angelrox in New York City, Suger and her family moved the family-run business to a restored historic textile mill warehouse in Maine.
She incorporates bamboo and organic cotton knits in her eco-friendly designs. The Angelrox collection is sold in more than 300 locations across the U.S., as well as in her flagship boutique named Suger.
“(Suger) is very eager to come back and share her story about how she built her business,” said Dr. Sue Parker, assistant professor emerita of entrepreneurship and e-commerce in the College of Human Environmental Sciences’ consumer sciences department.
Entrepreneur and founder of Yogurt Mountain, Kahn recently launched a new build-your-own pizza restaurant chain Pizza 120. Kahn was formerly one of the nation’s biggest Blockbuster franchisees and received national press for the way he reinvented himself with Yogurt Mountain.
After selling his Yogurt Mountain company, which had more than 40 stores in 14 states at the time, Kahn reinvented himself again with Pizza 120. He plans to launch his new fast casual Pizza 120 chain in cities across Alabama. At this time, Pizza 120 is located in Tuscaloosa, Mountain Brook, Madison and Montgomery.
“In addition to spotlighting students who have graduated from UA, our goal is to encourage current students to consider entrepreneurship as a career pathway or option,” Parker said.
“Previous speakers included Brian Adams, owner of Rumber Materials, and Anthony Williams, Project Runway contestant and designer,” said Syx.
The forum is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ferguson Theater. It is free and open to the public.
Contact
Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu
Source
Tommie Syx, 205/722-5179 or tsyx@cba.ua.edu