As we celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month, it’s the perfect time to spotlight the B2B (business-to-business) model, an effective approach that opens doors for ambitious entrepreneurs who want to make an impact on a larger scale. B2B businesses supply products, services, or expertise to other companies rather than directly to consumers (B2C). This model has unique…
Creating her legacy in the pecan industry, Salopek ’11 ’14 pivots with Legacy Pecans
July 11, 2024 “The road to entrepreneurship success is rarely smooth sailing,” offered Heather Salopek ’11, owner of Legacy Pecans, during the 2024 Texas Farm Credit Entrepreneurial Dreams Symposium. Salopek is an AGEC 425 “Survivor” who entered the Dianne and M. Edward Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program during the 2013-2014 academic year as a Master…
Two days of mentoring for AGEC 425 Students
March 15, 2024 In February, AGEC 425 students participated in two days of the Spring mentoring forum. More than 90 entrepreneurs and business leaders also participated in the Kathi & Murray Edwards ’73 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Mentoring Forum sessions that were held in person on Friday, February 16, and virtually, Friday, February 23. During these two…
Benjamin Billings ’18 crafting landscapes and legacies through creative ranchscape designs
Feature story written by Luke Caverlee ’26, Student Program Assistant, Electrical Engineering Major Benjamin Billings ’18 is from Cypress, Texas, and is an Agricultural Economics-Rural Entrepreneurship major. Benjamin is a proud third-generation Aggie. As a freshman at A&M, Benjamin began his studies as a mechanical engineer. However, by the end of the year, he knew…
Colt Kokel ’14: From Rural Entrepreneur of the Year to Loan Committees
Colt Kokel ’14 received the highest AGEC 425 honor in 2013 when he was recognized as the AGEC 425 Rural Entrepreneur of the Year during that year’s symposium. His business project when he was a student in the class was a real estate company. Today, Colt is working in the finance sector helping his clients…
AAEA recognizes Rister for distinguished teaching
The Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) presented Dr. Ed Rister ’74 with the Distinguished Teaching Award, in the category of “Ten or more years’ undergraduate teaching,” during their annual meeting held in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. This award is based upon evidence provided in the following categories: quality of teaching; academic advising, counseling,…
F is for Fish Camp – and for finding inspiration to write children’s books
Seventeen years ago, Fish Camp inspired an Aggie to become an author, writing children’s books. At the time, AGEC 425 “Survivor” Cameron O’Connell ’07 was a counselor, not a Fish. His Fish Camp journey changed his life. O’Connell celebrates his life, married to Aggie April South ’06 and father to three future Ags. He also…
Chappell Hollingshead ’21 engraves company’s plans for prosperity
About Chappell Chappell Hollingshead ’21 is an agricultural economics major from San Antonio, Texas. She graduated in May 2021. About Chappell’s Business Enterprise Chap’s Choppin’ Tops is a handcrafted cutting board and charcuterie board company in the Texas Hill Country. Every board is designed specifically for the client, with hand chiseled engravings, custom handles, and any…
Andrew Ehrlich ’22 pioneers forestry business in East Texas
About Andrew Andrew Ehrlich ’22 is an agricultural economics-rural entrepreneurship major from Lufkin, Texas. He plans to graduate in December 2022. About Andrew’s Business Enterprise Ehrlich Vegetation Services, LLC is a large-scale forestry, mulching, and right-of-way maintenance business based in Lufkin, Texas. What’s next for Andrew and Ehrlich Vegetation Services, LLC? After graduation in December 2021,…
José Contreras ’22 designs arenas to build world champions
About José José Contreras ’22 is an animal science major with a minor in agribusiness entrepreneurship from Del Rio, Texas. He plans to graduate in May 2022. About José’s Business Enterprise Contreras Covered Arenas is an enterprise targeting customers of the equestrian community located around the primary breeding and ranching areas in Denton County, north…