An entrepreneurial networking explosion erupted at the Nu Skin Innovation Center where entrepreneurs and investors were invited to connect and help one another.
![Utah's entrepreneurial community shared their latest ideas.](https://brightspotcdn.byu.edu/dims4/default/4702d5f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1189x828+0+0/resize/840x585!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrigham-young-brightspot-us-east-2.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2F01%2F52c136de4e5387ca9033a9bae78f%2F1314-fusion2.png)
The Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology at the BYU Marriott School of Business was thrilled to host FUSION, billed as the largest entrepreneurial networking event in Utah. On 24 January, Utah’s vibrant entrepreneurial community gathered where available resources were showcased to help aspiring entrepreneurs launch and run successful ventures.
Student entrepreneurs, community entrepreneurs, and investors were the three main groups that gathered to share their latest ideas. Sam Erickson, an economics junior from Salt Lake City, is a BYU student entrepreneur who enjoys networking with new people and hearing their different stories.
![David Bradford made a guest appearance.](https://brightspotcdn.byu.edu/dims4/default/8c2f0fa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/635x802+0+0/resize/635x802!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrigham-young-brightspot-us-east-2.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2F97%2F12%2F0ca0b8c7476c916e2598ce1ab328%2F1314-fusion1.png)
“Investors and community entrepreneurs have many businesses, went through the same process as us, and were students too,” Erickson says. “It helps us to see their paths and connect with them.”
Yesenia Silba, a family studies senior from Mexico, attended the event to gain a better understanding of business professionals. When she graduates in April, she hopes to transition into business, possibly doing real estate.
“I wanted to hear a few insights from investors and get a better idea of what I need to work on in order to be successful in the future,” Silba says.
![Entrepreneurs and investors throughout the state gathered to network.](https://brightspotcdn.byu.edu/dims4/default/d510518/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1192x792+0+0/resize/840x558!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrigham-young-brightspot-us-east-2.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2F6a%2Fc2%2F991193db400d936592f01e351660%2F1314-fusion3.png)
In addition to networking activities, David Bradford, a renowned networker and current CEO of FluentWorlds, made a special guest appearance and shared an impactful message from his book, Up Your Game: 6 Timeless Principles for Networking Your Way to the Top.
Scott Petersen, Rollins Center executive director, stated that this year’s FUSION networking evening is a giant step forward in the history of this successful event.
“The venue, David's message, the large number of attendees, and Marvellous Catering's award-winning food combined to provide a productive and singular evening that everyone thoroughly enjoyed,” Petersen says.
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Writer: Emily Colon