ENTREPRENEUR SOCIETY OF NAPLES (ESON) NOW IRS 501(c)(3)

The Entrepreneur Society of Naples (ESON) is pleased to announce they have been accepted as an IRS 501(c) (3).

After just over one year in operation, the Entrepreneur Society of Naples is pleased to be able to offer tax deductible donation opportunities to assist in the promotion of their mission to support and encourage local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“We would like to thank Ed Livingston, The Livingston Firm, for his commitment as a Founding Member and counsel for ESON since our inception. Mr. Livingston’s efforts in obtaining the 501(c)(3) status will propel our organization into a new level of support.” states Ted Farah, President and Founding Member.

ESON - Where Entrepreneurs Support Entrepreneurs and Their Businesses (Meets 2nd Wednesday of Every Month at Hodges University)

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Entrepreneur Society of Naples (ESON) will be Wednesday March 9, 2011 at the Hodges University (Naples Campus), 2647 Professional Circle, Naples, FL 34119, Science and Technology Building Room 150 from 6:00pm - 8:30pm. NOTE MEETING TIME HAS CHANGED TO 6:00 PM.

The March 2011 Program will feature the first year celebration for ESON! Watch this site, our Facebook Fan Page and LinkedIn for continuing additional information!

This meeting will feature a Special Presentation on Contract Negotiations, Professional Headshots with Photographer Jennifer Ziegelmaier and the opportunity for networking with entrepreneurs, inventors, lawyers, investors, business representatives and friends.

Ted Farah, President of ESON states: “We are very excited to celebrate the Anniversary of ESON. The Founders set a vision for this group and to see it achieve such success after only one year speaks volumes for the founders, members and guests who benefit from our meetings.”




It is true that "creative people are made not born" (Science Digest), and the best reason to join the new Entrepreneur Society of Naples (ESON), where those with new patents, new ideas or a desire to be more creative will meet monthly to share their ideas with like-minding people. There will be Student, Business, Family and Personal Memberships available to receive the monthly ESON Newsletter and the right to present at the monthly meetings.

Guests will pay $10.00 at the door. Each meeting will feature a speaker on topics like: Getting a patent; launching a firm, marketing an idea, selling on the Internet or raising the money to open a store. The 20/30 minute talk will be followed by Q&A and another membership networking session at the end. Each meeting new members will introduce themselves briefly - 2 minute spiel - on why they are there and where they want to go with whatever they learn. ESON is aligned with the Ft. Myers Edison Inventors Association. Paid members of each club will have reciprocity privileges in the other club. Edison meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and ESON meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month.

The ESON President is Ted Farah an entrepreneur known nationally for his ability to fashion new ideas into viable businesses. Membership information and application is available by clicking here.

The initial ESON Newsletter V1N1 March 2010 is available by clicking here. and highlights the background of the four founders. The latest ESON Newsletter is available (V2N1 January 2011) by clicking here.

January 12, 2011

The January 12, 2011 Entrepreneur Society of Naples meeting was called to order by ESON's Operational Board Executive Director Kena Yoke. She introduced new members and allowed for self introductions of all present. Kena all discussed the proposed meeting agenda that will be implemented starting in the March 2011 meeting. Agenda will be:

5:30 - 6:00 Sign in / Networking
6:00 - 6:20 Introductions - Members - Guests
6:20 - 6:30 Introduce Speaker
6:30 - 6:50 Speaker Presentation
6:50 - 7:00 Q and A for Speaker
7:00 - 7:15 Show and Tell
7:15 - 7:30 Announce Next Meeting / Members Announcements
7:30 - 8:00 Networking Wrap Up
7:30 - 8:30 Professional Program ($25.00 Fee to Members / $35.00 Fee to Non-Members)

The January meeting featured our own Executive Board of Directors (Ted Farah, Gene Landrum, Ed Livingston, Helena Sturnick and Marcus Zillman) who functioned as a panel to field questions from the members in an open forum. The panel of experts on Legal, Financial, Marketing, Behavioral and Internet Technology answered many questions from all the members present and was appreciated by all.

November 10, 2010

The November 10, 2010 meeting of the Entrepreneurial Society of Naples featured guest speaker, Dr. Gene Landrum, co-founder of ESON and best known as the founder of Chuck E Cheese fast food and entertainment resturants. His excellent presentation included many powerpoint slides highlighting the important factors in his journey to success. Dr. Gene's slides are available to all members in our Members Only section. His presentation was followed by a questions and answers period and all enjoyed his presentation very much!! Gene is the author of several books with his most recent titled Cover Your Assets.

President Ted Farah then discussed the latest happenings for ESON and some very exciting future opportunities. This was followed by the Show and Tell Segment featuring Walt Timoney featuring his Good Time Charlie's Family Fun Center. His presentation was well received and his PowerPoint slides are available from the Members Only section.

Adjournment at 8:30pm. The eighth meeting was very well received with 60+ in attendance for November in Naples. The new meeting facilities at Hodges University was very much appreciated to handle our growth.

The November V1N8 Issue of ESON's Newsletter featuring numerous entrepreneurial articles and a feature first page article from Dr. Gene Landrum is availablw by clicking here.

October 13, 2010 Entrepreneur Society of Naples Meeting

The October 13, 2010 meeting of the Entrepreneurial Society of Naples featured guest speaker, Thomas S. Monaghan, best known as the founder of Domino’s Pizza and former owner of the Detroit Tigers baseball franchise, he is currently devoting his attention full time to non-profit endeavors, specifically focused on underwriting Catholic higher education. This support primarily flows through the Ave Maria Foundation, which he founded in 1983 and for which he serves as chairman of the board. In 1998, Monaghan provided the impetus for a major initiative in Catholic higher education with the founding of Ave Maria Institute in Ypsilanti, Michigan (which later became Ave Maria College), a Catholic liberal arts institution designed to prepare students for leadership in academics, professional occupations, and service to the greater community. Ave Maria College was the predecessor to Ave Maria University, which was founded in 2003 and which operated in interim facilities in Naples, Florida until its permanent facilities were completed in the summer of 2007. Mr. Monagham discussed his trials and tribulations during his entrepreneurial life where persistence and family were keys. His speech was a true inspiration to the Naples entrepreneurs present and he gave a personal autographed copy of his latest book to all who attended.

President Ted Farah then discussed the latest happenings for ESON and some very exciting future opportunities. This was followed by the Show and Tell Segment featuring Karen Moore, Publisher/Editor of Southwest Florida Business Today discussing her history, facts and happenings in the newspaper world. Adjournment at 8:30pm. The seventh meeting was very well received with 60+ in attendance for October in Naples. The new meeting facilities at Hodges University was very much appreciated to handle our growth.

The October V1N7 Issue of ESON's Newsletter featuring When Purchasing A Business - Consider This! by ESON Board Member Ed Livingston and Resources for Discovering Knowledge On the Internet by ESON Co-Founder and Board Member Marcus P. Zillman and is available by clicking here.

September 8, 2010 Meeting Entrepreneur Society of Naples

The September 8, 2010 meeting of the Entrepreneurial Society of Naples featured guest speaker John A. Fisher, Regional President of the First American Bank Florida Market and spoke on "How the New Small Business Administration Can Help You". Mr. Fisher is responsible for the profitability, growth and management of the regional bank's operation in Florida. He has a BA Degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa and earned a MBA from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Additionally he attended Graduate Commercial Lending School at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. . Prior to his banking career, Mr. Fisher served in the United States Marine Corps and is a veteran of Operation Desert Shiedld/Desert Storm. His presentation was very well received by Society members with a number of questions and answers at the conclusion.

President Ted Farah then discussed the latest happenings for ESON and some very exciting future opportunities. This was followed by the Show and Tell Segment featuring Mark Pasek's patented LiftAlone that is now entering the marketplace. The idea behind the LiftAlone came from canopies attached to the sides of racecar trailers. Mark demonstrated his product how one person can do the lifting of many to all society members (see pictures of meeting). Comments and discussion followed by various members. The meeting then was moved to discussions in the various areas by the founding board members. Adjournment at 8:30pm. The sixth meeting was very well received with nice attendance for September in Naples. The new meeting facilities at Hodges University was very much appreciated to handle our growth.

The September V1N6 Issue of ESON's Newsletter featuring Business Intelligence Resources for the Entrepreneur is available by clicking here.

July 14, 2010 Meeting Entrepreneur Society of Naples

The July 14, 2010 meeting of the Entrepreneurial Society of Naples featured guest speaker Blase Ciabaton of Naples PrintSource on Successful Prospecting: Finding Customers Who Are Passionate About Your Products or Services.

President Ted Farah discussed the latest happenings for ESON and some very exciting future opportunities including our 501c application. This was followed by the Show and Tell Segment and comments and discussion followed by various members. The meeting then was moved to discussions in the various areas by the founding board members. Adjournment at 8:30pm. The fifth meeting was very well received and we continue our exponential growth .... The new meeting facilities at Hodges University was very much appreciated to handle our growth.

The July V1N5 Issue of ESON's Newsletter is available by clicking here.