By Grace Darcy
October 16, 2025
The Center for Student Entrepreneurship’s Advisory Council held its inaugural meeting earlier today.
The day began with a welcome and introductions breakfast with Quinn Valentine and the members of the advisory council. Throughout the meeting, the council discusses updates, goals, and future plans.
In today’s meeting, the council discussed a recap of events from the CSE this semester. So far this semester, the CSE has put together the ROI Pitch competition, Wednesday Workshops, and on and off campus pop-up markets (Bobcat Bazaar and ArtSquared), among other successful events.
The meeting also highlighted the center’s Entrepreneurial Industry Workshops (EIWs) and the entrepreneurship club. Navigating the Music Business, which first launched this summer, has returned this fall for another EIW session. The Navigating the Music Business program allows students to gain an understanding of the business side of the music industry.
The Influencer Marketing program also launched this fall, another EIW session. The six-week program allows participants to take a deep dive into the world of influencing and learn how to turn their own brand into a successful business.
The Entrepreneurship Club has re-launched this fall hosting various speakers and meetings.
Also highlighted, the council discussed external collaborations and new platforms including the launch of Student Made Texas State.
Student Made, which was launched this fall, allows student creators to hold a shop on the website to sell their items.
Looking ahead for the semester, the council discussed upcoming events including Ignite 3.0.
Ignite 3.0 is an annual two-day innovation summit this November with Tara Godbey kicking off the event as the Kickoff Speaker. Max Feber will return as the keynote speaker.
The Advisory Council has three goals. The first being to “identify and implement relevant and robust programming.” The second, “create a strategic plan for long-term success and growth,” and the final being to “outline and implement a sustainable funding model.”
Our talented council works hard to ensure the CSE provides a variety of opportunities for students, staff, and alumni at Texas State University.
Members of the Advisory Council:
Quinn Valentine, Director of the CSE
- Jeff Cuban, COO, Mark Cuban Companies Entertainment Properties
- Bruce Walicek, Managing Director, Radian Capital Advisors, LLC
- Bruce Kalmick, CEO at WHY&HOW, Co-founder of Hustle Sports Group
- Bruce Holligbaugh, President/ CEO, Strategic IP Initiatives, Inc.
- Katie Harvey, CEO at K Harvey Brand Partners
- Randy Haran, President of The Business Crusader
- Kelly Mattarocci, Founder & CEO of Market & Margin
- Carina Boston Pinales, Founder & CEO at Splash Coworking LLC
- Christina Jovanna Olivarez, Founder & CEO, Social Butterfly Gal, Hustle & Socialize
- Ju Long, Stephen R Gregg, Sr., Excellence Professor
- Tara Godby, COO, Co-founder, Teakeasy
- Josh Daspit, Associate Professor of Management, Family Business
- Ogden Payne, Founder of FTS
- Scott Barnes, Chairman and CEO at Barnes & Company, Inc
For more information about the CSE events and activities, check out our upcoming events.
Follow us on all our socials - LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date on all things CSE. To find our events list, visit our events page.
About the CSE:
“Where underestimated talent becomes unstoppable.”
The Center for Student Entrepreneurship follows a mission of providing hands-on experiences to turn into something meaningful and impactful. The CSE supports “underestimated people and early-stage ideas with strategy, grit, and belief.”
The vision of the CSE is to make Texas State University “a place where entrepreneurship and innovation are real and accessible to anyone with the courage to create.” The CSE provides opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and the community to turn ideas into lasting ventures.
Media Contacts:
To become involved in the CSE as a student, faculty or staff, alumni, or community member, connect with the CSE team:
Quinn Valentine, Director for the Center for Student Entrepreneurship, McCoy College of Business, at quinn.valentine@txstate.edu
Kendall Perkinson, CSE Program Coordinator
Email: kendallperkinson@txstate.edu