Jack Kidd, Class of ’27, admits he only applied to this year’s Bryant University Entrepreneurs Conference (BUEC) because the email invitation sounded interesting. The owner of a small knife-sharpening business, he recently transferred to Bryant and is still learning about the campus and its possibilities.
At the beginning of the day, he still didn’t know much about BUEC’s host organization, Bryant CEO, or the group’s international reputation, or its connections to Bryant alumni working in the field, or the strong support network it would have among the group’s members.
By the end of the day, that was all different. But for now, he’s enjoying the energy of the meeting. “I love the atmosphere here,” he says. “Everyone here is really motivated.”
Now in its 13th year, BUEC (formerly known as the Bryant University Northeast Entrepreneurship Conference) brought together entrepreneurs from both on and off the Bryant campus on March 2 to learn from each other through networking opportunities, keynote speakers, intensive breakout sessions and workshops.
The university’s chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization has won the Chapter of the Year award six times and the Best Intercampus Networking and Innovation award nine times in the past 10 years, noted BUEC Executive Director Abby Milerka ’24. “This is a passionate group that wants to network, learn from these speakers and take those lessons back out into the world,” she said.
“Attending conferences like this is a way to set yourself apart and give yourself an edge,” suggests BUEC Marketing Director Brynn Hennessey ’25. “BUEC is the place for students who want to exceed expectations and take initiative in their future.”
Milerka said learning about entrepreneurship is valuable for anyone, regardless of their career path: “If you take the leadership skills, risk management skills, and problem-solving skills that entrepreneurs have, they’ll serve you well wherever you go.”
“When we get to know each other on a natural, real and honest level, we can expand our network and grow our business or concept to levels beyond our imagination.”
Even the conference’s name change reflected this focus on inclusivity: “We wanted to broaden the horizons. This is an entrepreneurial conference designed for everyone,” Milerka said.
That community mindset was reflected throughout the day’s program. Social entrepreneur and community leader Ed Brady ’06, co-founder of Thirsty Beaver Pub and Grub, president of Historic Park Theatre and Event Center, and co-founder of RestauRent, delivered the day’s first keynote address, centering on the power of social responsibility and connection. Brady took the audience on a journey from his time at Bryant University, to starting his own event production company in Los Angeles, to returning to the Ocean State to start Thirsty Beaver and now working to support other entrepreneurs and the community around him.
“I only spend my time on sustainable ideas that I think will help build better communities and a better world,” he said.
Brady maintained that the power of communication has propelled him forward every step of the way. “When we’re in a new environment or meeting new people, we’re always tempted to talk about ourselves,” Brady said. “But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to listen to what other people have to say. By just listening, you can learn more about them and what they like. Because if I can find a way to help other people achieve what they like through what I have and the network I’ve built, then ultimately, we’re building a better ecosystem together.”
Brady suggested that successful entrepreneurs don’t just make money, they fill a real need and help others realize their passions. “When we get to know each other on a natural, real and honest level, we can expand our network and scale our business or business concept to levels beyond our imagination,” he said.
During the conference’s breakout sessions, leaders with expertise ranging from marketing to cybersecurity expanded on this idea, including Xavier Pérez (Class of ’23), former president of Bryant Ventures, CEO Bryant’s startup accelerator, who led a panel discussion on business growth, citing the example of X’s Kicks, the sneaker resale business he has run since high school.
Perez also spoke about issues ranging from tax obligations to building a loyal customer base through social media. He and Kidd brainstormed about expanding their business, including selling and sharpening knives and creating short videos for YouTube and TikTok to raise awareness of their company, Jack’s Knife Sharpening.
“I’ve been called the Queen of Beer. I’ve been called a pioneer. I’ve been called a success. I’ve been called a failure. All of this is true.”
There are users online interested in everything from hoof care to rug cleaning, Perez suggested, and Kidd thought he could use that to his advantage. “I’ve never seen anyone in your industry do anything like this before,” Perez pointed out, asking, “Why not be the first?”
Being first, and the triumphs and struggles that come with it, was the theme of an afternoon keynote address delivered by Rhonda Kalman, CEO of Boston Harbor Distillery and co-founder of Boston Beer Company. “I started a revolution when I was 24 years old,” Kalman said. “When we started, there were 35 breweries in the U.S. Now there are 10,000.”
During her talk, Kalman spoke about moments of inspiration and acclaim, as well as the challenges she faced as a rare woman in her field. “I’ve been called the beer queen. I’ve been called a pioneer. I’ve been called a success. I’ve been called a failure,” she told the audience. “All of these are true.”
She says being an entrepreneur requires courage, sacrifice and a willingness to fail. But when your calling is your passion, there’s no other way to live. “Why am I still risking everything? And why is it so important?” she asked the crowd. “For me, the answer is simple: Because I love being an entrepreneur and I believe in myself.”
By the end of the conference, Kidd, who wasn’t sure what to expect at the start of the day, had exchanged contact information with other attendees, including Perez, and spoke to CEO mentors about connecting with chapters. He admitted that he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be a full-time entrepreneur after graduation, but he wanted to learn more.
Most importantly, he wants to find new inspiration and nurture it. “It’s inspiring,” he says. “It gives me motivation to move the business forward.”
