Ives shares biz sense with students, startups

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May 12, 2010

By Sylvia Rosen Correspondent The Salem News Wed May 12, 2010, 12:10 AM EDT

SALEM — David Ives was appointed entrepreneur in residence at the Bertolon School of Business and Enterprise Center at Salem State College this January. The Salem News caught up with him to see how the job is going.

What do you do as entrepreneur in residence?

Within the Bertolon School, I have been a visiting lecturer in classes focused on entrepreneurship and other business-related topics. ... At the Enterprise Center, I am mentoring startup businesses. I also work to support the Enterprise Center programs, such as the recently completed North of Boston Business Plan (Competition).

How have you enjoyed it so far?

I'm enjoying it a great deal. I have met a lot of really engaging students and faculty who are committed to the concept of entrepreneurship. It just continues to further an interest I have had for years — what makes a startup business successful.

What attracted you to this position?

I have been working with the Enterprise Center (I was on the board for nine years and chairman for five). I was always interested in teaching and lecturing in classes.

And you are still working as CEO of the North Shore International Insurance Service?

Yes, I have restructured my schedule to make time available for my commitment to the college. I am able to do that because I built and work with a very strong management team at North Shore International, and we have been working for this objective for the last five years.

What entrepreneurial skills have you shared with the students at the Bertolon School?

I'm trying to instill with the students that entrepreneurship can come from many areas, not just business. I try to talk about the entrepreneurial formula, which is the combination of an idea for a product or service plus resources and the willingness to work hard and achieve an objective.

Is there a project that you are working on right now with the students?

Now we are working on a multi-semester project with two professors that is looking to create real business situation case studies. I've spoken with one group this semester about their startup ideas and given them advice on how to strengthen them. Then those ideas are going to carry over to next semester in the fall. I'll continue to mentor and advise through that process.

What are some goals you have for Salem State in your new position?

I would like to support the school of business's national accreditation, and I would like to broaden the perspective of students on entrepreneurial possibilities. Why I embraced the opportunity was so that I could create something that didn't exist, and my hope is to build a successful model that can then be continued with other entrepreneurs to give back to the college and the overall economic development of Salem.

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