November 4, 2022

11/4/2022

HOW ABOUT THAT WILDCAT......football? And Choir? And Band? So many talented athletes, musicians and artists in the Ponca City 18 and under demographic. And PCDA , especially Ponca Works, is all about keeping these talented aspiring young-uns here: To work. To Live. To Grow. How do we do that? Why, let staff give you some examples. Pull up a chair; we can talk about this for hours. But first, let's give another shout out to our talented PoHi football team. Good luck this week because this season has been fantastic.

PCPS + PDCA = Love

Ponca Works was given an award for its work in education partnerships, and one of the great examples of this programming is the Wildcat Internships. PCDA and PCPS now share an employee who is managing the internship program full time in an effort to grow the program. With over 50 students placed city wide this semester, the future looks bright, and Jordan Jackson-Gross (pictured) is at the helm. Ponca Works and Jordan have visited most of the sites where interns are currently placed in the last two weeks and have received glowing reports of students impressing employers with their creative thinking, attention to detail, and consistency. Not something you often hear from employers about this generation. These glowing comments speak to the level of success internships can generate. These types of programs connect students to their future while also providing mentorship to better align our future workforce with current employers.

Contact Liz Leaming (580-765-7070 or lleaming@goponca.com) or Jordan Jackson-Gross (jacksjo@pcps.us or 580-718-4878) to participate in hosting a student next semester.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP.... opportunities is another way to bring our talented workforce back to Ponca City after college or some world exploration time. Tate Burdick, owner/operator of Nova Coffee Truck was the guest speaker at 1 Million Cups this week. He told his business story of finding the vintage, rather beat up camper and turning it, with a lot of sweat and hours of work, into Nova Coffee. This mobile coffee shop sets up all over Ponca City and many of his customers were singing his coffee's praises.

Tate has worked as a barista at several coffee shops in and around Ponca City and he saw a niche market where he could grow a business. Nova Coffee was born. With assistance from Pioneer Technology Business Services and some mentoring from trusted family and friends, Tate has some great ideas for future businesses right here in Ponca City.Check out his presentation right here to find out more.

1 Million Cups meets the first Wednesday of each month at Pioneer Technology Center. This program was built by the Kauffman Foundation to showcase entrepreneurs and give them a platform to tell their business stories. Over 1 millions cups of coffee. Join us the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30 am in the Seminar Room at Pioneer Tech.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS.....or start your business. Whatever your business needs, there is a program of interest happening during Global Entrepreneurship Week in Ponca City. Free programs offering free assistance. Grants, business plans, how to find funding and customers and the all important business pitch. Some programs are virtual, and some in person.

What are you waiting for? Every business is looking for "real" grants. And there are some out there, but for a limited time only. And can you really run a business without a plan? The answer is no. And bonus points if you want to shark tank your business in the spring with the Business Plan Pitch-off. Your new/growing business could compete for over $5000 in incentives. Yes, $5000 dollars. But you need that business plan. Call Kat at 580.761.3028 or Ben Evans at 580.718-4262 now to reserve your seat.