Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation

Welcome and thank you for participating in AZEC10.  You are now part of a family of over 1,000 entrepreneurs who have come together to share ideas, connect, and be inspired while making a difference in the community at the same time.

100% of the proceeds from AZEC10 go to support OTEF.

The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation (OTEF) provides training and support to help at-risk youth and adults improve their lives by creating and growing entrepreneurial ventures.

Founded in 2005 by Francine Hardaway, Ed Nusbaum, and Rob Dunaway, OTEF is a grass roots organization supported by Arizona’s Entrepreneurial Community.  If you think funding an entrepreneurial venture can be a challenge, try starting a foundation!  So these creative founders reached out to their networks in Arizona and across the United States with a great idea, let’s raise the funds needed to serve OTEF’s mission by creating a series of  conferences by and for entrepreneurs.  Proceeds, sponsorships and donations originating from the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences would    support for OTEF’s programs with at-risk populations throughout the year.  And so it began…

Now in it’s fifth year, OTEF has made a difference in our community by presenting  AZEC06, The OTEF Social Media Conference, AZEC07, AZEC08, AZEC09. as well as by delivering  meaningful community programs to released felons, domestic violence victims, teen-age runaways, and laid off workers.

OTEF’s 1st Program at SEEDS House in Phoenix (2007) helped lay the foundation for a new entrepreneurial venture.   Cup O’ Karma offers great beverages and snacks in a comfortable setting with free Wi-Fi, artwork and live entertainment Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. All proceeds from Cup O’ Karma support the programs and services offered by NATN, which includes the agency’s Support, Education, Empowerment and DirectionS (SEEDs) program.

SEEDs residents participated in a 12-week entrepreneurship program offered by OTEF and developed a business plan, which includes owning and operating a coffee shop.  SEEDs residents operate the café while learning employable skills such as customer service, community relations, marketing and outreach, purchasing and management.

OTEF’s 2nd   Program  launched in 2008 in with  the Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development, allows young artists to  combine creativity with entrepreneurial skills to create a brighter future and builds life skills.    DIG—The Phoenix Drop In Gallery is a place where homeless youth are empowered; trained in the skills of artistry and small business with a goal to support at-risk youth to fully understand the material within closed workshops before opening them up to the public and our surrounding community members so they may impart their learned knowledge and skills to our community members in return building relationships with them as well  developing healthy social skills.

OTEF’s 3rd Program launched in the Spring 2009, Blueprint for Survival, was designed to help our newest  at-risk population, the displaced workers who are the  collateral damage of the recent economic downturn.   Blueprint for Survival helps participants understand the options and requirements in building businesses.  Attendees are encouraged to collaborate with others, share resources, and explore potential partnerships while receiving real world advice on everything from  existing support programs to how to deal with the stress of being laid off in an environment where once plentiful jobs have disappeared.   Participants in the program come from a wide range of industries, educational backgrounds, age groups and economic backgrounds with one common and cementing characteristic—a will to survive the down turn.

Not a bad start for a small group of entrepreneurs with a good idea on how to tackle tough challenges and build solutions.  And now YOU are part of the solution too!

So again, on behalf of OTEF, our board of directors, and our team, THANK YOU for supporting our community through AZEC10.

Sincerely,

Joan Koerber-Walker         Francine Hardaway

Board of Directors :  Joan Koerber-Walker, (Chair), Ed Nusbaum, Roberto Guerrieri (Treasurer), Merlin Ward, Robert Dunaway Esq.

OTEF TEAM:  Francine Hardaway (Founder and Executive Director), Ed Nusbaum, Phillip Blackerby, and Steven Groves (AZEC10 Conference Chair)

To learn more about OTEF or to make a charitable donation, visit us on line at www.OTEF.org.  (OTEF is an Arizona 501c3)