Pictured left-to-right are Makenna Heselton ’28, Cori Lasota ’29, Geordie Waldman ’27, Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin, and Mike Ahearn Wilcox during an entrepreneur workshop session for Ideation and Implementation.
ĢƵ’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) offers a range of programs to shape ambitious students into successful entrepreneurs, from early-stage programming for those without a specific idea to later-stage opportunities for established teams. In spring 2025, E&I established “Ideation to Implementation,” a six-week workshop series offered to students interested in building their own startup. The class—which returned for a second iteration in September—is targeted towards aspiring innovators to understand and utilize entrepreneurial concepts, notably building a business model and conducting customer discovery. The program prepares students to join the TIA Incubator and bring their idea to fruition. “Ideation to Implementation” is facilitated by Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin.
While the class offers credit through the Department of Recreation for students, any member of the ĢƵ community with dedication and an idea are welcome to attend.
“Over the past six weeks, we’ve had 3–5 rotating participants each week, with two consistently engaged throughout. The group included both students and staff,” Martin said. With a small size and nimble format, the workshop was centered around the needs of individual students regarding their schedule and what they hoped to take away from the class.
Makenna Heselton ’28 is one of those workshop participants who appreciated that the series allowed her to explore her interest in entrepreneurship in a supportive, small-group environment, even without prior experience. “[EIR] Jen and [TIA Program Specialist and Lead Peer Advisor] Geordie [Waldman ’27] have been incredibly helpful,” she said, “and the close-knit setting and regular class meetings have allowed me to get the most out of the experience.”
Heselton has been working on her start-up, Aurai Organics, a natural hydration drink specifically formulated for post-hot yoga and Pilates recovery. Aurai is a clean, simple ingredient blend of coconut water, Himalayan salt, honey, lemon juice, and distilled water that is designed to replenish electrolytes, support muscle recovery, and provide natural energy exactly when practitioners need it the most, immediately after class.
“Ideation to Implementation has taken Aurai from just an idea to something tangible. Jen and Geordie have helped me refine my concept, and their guidance has been incredibly valuable. As someone with limited experience, their support has given me the confidence to know where and how to start.”
Similar to Heselton's experience and others in the workshop, this was Martin’s first experience with “Ideation to Implementation” since taking over the position as EIR from her predecessor, Reece Wilson, who established the workshop series.
“I didn’t really know what to expect going in, but now I just feel incredibly lucky that we have this dedicated time each week to work closely with the ventures,” she said. “It’s been such a valuable opportunity to help them understand the fundamentals and make real progress on their ideas; it feels like built-in one-on-one support that really moves things forward. I look forward to seeing them every week!” Being that this was her first time teaching the class, Martin had the opportunity to learn and grow alongside the students.
In a workshop such as “Ideation to Implementation,” most students are building a venture from scratch. In doing so, their journeys are filled with breakthrough moments, pivots, and roadblocks.
“One moment in particular was watching a TIA Incubator member have their brand start to really click, seeing all of the pieces start coming together,” Martin recalled of one such “aha” moment this fall. “All of the work they had done to understand their product, their customer, their unique advantage and values suddenly aligned. … The vision they had been holding in their head [was] starting to take a real cohesive shape. I can tell they feel it and see it. The next steps feel clear and momentum is starting to take over.”
Martin also discussed the viability of the businesses that were floated.
“Every idea had strong potential; that is the best part. They were all so different from each other: sustainability, tech, meditation, beverage, etc.,” she said. The six weeks of immersive learning successfully laid the groundwork for students to bring their ideas to the TIA Incubator.
The Incubator can be overwhelming at first—particularly due to its self-directed nature, which is often a significant change from the structured environments that students encounter in classes—making this workshop all that more helpful to those without entrepreneurial experience. “This class is all about preparing entrepreneurs for success by breaking down not just what they need to do when turning an idea into a venture, but why it matters and how to do it well,” Martin explained of the significance of the class.
“Instead of just being introduced to terms like ‘customer discovery’ and ‘business model canvas,’ students dig deep into the purpose behind them, how it helps them clearly see their pain points, opportunities, and competitive advantages. Our goal is to lay a strong foundation, not just in skillset and knowledge but also in mindset. We want to encourage students to be curious, persistent, and to look beyond the surface. We also want students to leave with practical stills to figure out the next step and how to not get stuck, tools that will help them in the Incubator and beyond.”
“Ideation to Implementation” defined concepts that make up the framework of the Incubator, preparing students for TIA instead of throwing them in headfirst.
Due to the success of the second semester of “Ideation to Implementation,” the class will be offered again in spring 2026. Martin emphasized: “To students who are on the fence or are unsure about whether their idea is ‘good enough,’ I would say the sheer fact that you are having that thought means you are exactly where you need to be, you are ready, so come. It is a low-pressure environment that will help you take something that’s been living in your head—even if for one day—and turn it into something real. It is the beauty of college and particularly a liberal arts college: dive in, see what something can become! If you can’t commit to the whole six weeks, just come when you can.”
For students who are interested in navigating entrepreneurial waters, this workshop can make all the difference. Following immediately on the heels of “Ideation to Implementation,” E&I is offering an additional six-week class called “Entrepreneurs in the Making.” This installment will focus on refining existing business ideas, allowing students to take their ideas to the next level. These workshops demonstrate that anyone with passion, determination, and an idea can become an entrepreneur.