A resident of Wichita, Steve began his career in the private sector as the 28th employee of a business startup technology company, Brite Voice Systems in Wichita. The company grew from $6 million to more than $175 million during the nine years Steve worked for Brite. Since then, Steve has co-owned two businesses including a manufactured housing dealership that was sold to the largest manufacturer in the country, Champion Enterprises. Currently, Steve Radley is the President and CEO of the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship DBA NetWork Kansas. Since the launch in March of 2006, NetWork Kansas has created a resource partner network of more than five hundred (500) partners and launched multiple loan programs and a venture fund that have provided loans and investments of more than $13 million to 350 plus businesses with total capital deployed exceeding $168 million. As you can see, Radley is champion of entrepreneurship and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Unconference.
Steve’s 3Qs
Q1. Why do you think Wichita is a great candidate to host an Unconference like this? What does this conference mean to Wichita?
A conversation has started in Wichita about how to create an environment more conducive to entrepreneurs. The Wichita Metro Chamber has included it in their strategic plan, Wichita State is actively engaged, and entrepreneurs in Wichita are becoming more connected. The Unconference will help continue to build this important foundation.
Q2. What gets you most excited about this conference? Any predictions?
I'm excited about meeting entrepreneurs I've never met and strengthening the relationships with partners we already have. My prediction is that I will learn from both and others will have the same experience.
Q3. Why should entrepreneurs attend? What's your advice for those on the fence about coming?
Simple, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. In one day, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from people who have been where they are at, get connected to potential resources that can help, and in the end, mitigate the risk of their venture.
Bonus! Here's a recent post from Steve on cultivating an entrepreneurial culture.
Meet Steve Radley and all of our Unconference ambassadors at ICT Unconference on April 22. Get your tickets today!
A special “thank you” to NetWork Kansas, Quantum Expositions International and Intrust Bank. Without your support, ICT Unconference would not be possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment