MEDIA RESOURCES

SMU’S COX SCHOOL BRINGS ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO WOMEN OF BELARUS

On the heels of a highly successful week-long entrepreneurship program in the Ukraine, Cox’s Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship will present another somewhat more unique program in Belarus August 9 – 13. Entitled " Women in Entrepreneurship," this course will focus on women who have a demonstrated interest in creating their own businesses. The impetus and funding for this program came from Judy Becker, a Cox alumna and founder of a foundation dedicated to teaching entrepreneurship skills to women in the former Soviet states.

The goal of the course is to provide women with the skills necessary to create businesses that will guarantee their economic security and independence. Nadezhda (Russian word for hope), the name of Becker’s foundation, is primarily concerned with meeting the needs of elderly women and other women in need in this area of the world. Wanda Walser, a principle with Automated Food Systems of Duncanville, Texas, and a Cox School Executive Mentor, has donated food production machinery for use by the women during and after the course. The machines have been used successfully in Russia by women who operate food vending operations. The course will integrate into the curriculum the key elements in developing a similar business. Commenting on the course goals, Kriska said, "It doesn’t take much money to make a real difference in the lives of these women."

The program will be held in the Social Educational Center in Minsk, Belarus and will be taught by Kriska and John Beeglehole from the University of Plymouth, U.K., as well as by local law and tax experts. Participants were selected by the center’s director based on their demonstrated interest in the field. Topics include finance, marketing, the internet, strategic planning, presentation skills, and legal issues. Commercial movies including "Mildred Pierce" with Lana Turner will also be used to illustrate key points.

The Caruth Institute is part of SMU’s internationally ranked Cox School of Business which offers BBA, MBA, and Executive Education programs in Dallas, Texas.