Multi-millionaire to share business advice
By Maria Lemus
Jan. 26, 2009 9:05 p.m.
Mike Michalowicz, a 38-year-old multi-millionaire, created the first of his three companies when he was 24 years old.
Michalowicz, the writer of the new book “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur” will speak tonight at the UCLA Anderson School of Management as part of the UCLA Business Speaker Series.
The series is sponsored by Monica Kohles, the Undergraduate Student Association Council General Representative.
According to his Web site, ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com, Michalowicz uses a “down-to-business” attitude to guide small businesses and motivate student entrepreneurs.
Addison Huddy, Kohles’ project director, said the speaking series is USAC’s attempt at providing a service to the business student community, especially after the disintegration of past projects as a result of several budget cuts.
Huddy said USAC is targeting students studying economics and trying to reach out to the business community at UCLA.
He said tonight’s event is possible because of the Anderson School’s donation of the room. The donation is one of several efforts aimed at getting people ready for business school, Huddy said.
The Anderson School of Management runs the Healthcare Management Program along with other various entrepreneurial programs geared at current undergraduate students interested in health care and business.
It also provides programs geared toward high school students and recent graduates through its Riordan Scholars and Fellows programs, said Christina Garcia, the Riordan Programs’ spokeswoman.
She said the guest lectures should encourage and motivate students to get interested in and apply for those programs.
As part of a promotional book tour for “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur,” Michalowicz’s appearance should serve as inspiration and motivation for student entrepreneurs, Huddy said.
“(He) is definitely the definition of an entrepreneur,” Huddy said.
Spectators will be able to purchase copies of the book for $20 and get it autographed by Michalowicz.
Third-year architectural studies student John Milinovich and third-year computer science student Matt Snider said they will be attending the event.
Milinovich and Snider are business partners.
Their company, Connect for Success, will integrate high school alumni interested in providing advice and support to high school students.
They said one reason they will attend the event is to ask Michalowicz questions about starting a business.
Milinovich said he advises entrepreneurs to be proactive in order to make an idea reality.
“Do as much research as you can, get as many resources and take in as much as you can,” he said.
“You don’t know what you are capable of until you challenge yourself.”
