Ole Miss Graduates Provide Entrepreneurial Advice at Annual Summit

The recent sixth annual REDe Entrepreneurship Summit at the University of Mississippi brought together over 250 students to celebrate and learn about the entrepreneurial initiatives of Ole Miss students. The summit, hosted by the UM Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, featured a panel discussion with successful alumni who shared their experiences and offered valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

One of the highlights of the summit was a panel discussion led by the co-founders of Curtsy, an innovative marketplace app that has revolutionized thrift fashion for college students. The panel, moderated by Curtsy’s CEO, David Oates, featured insights and perspectives from William Ault, Clara Agnes Ault, and Eli Allen, all of whom are Ole Miss alumni.

The journey of the Curtsy team from launching their startup at Ole Miss to growing into a nationwide business with projected 2023 revenue of £30 million serves as a shining example of entrepreneurial success. Their inspiring story resonated with the attending students, many of whom were encouraged to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Claire Ficek, an Ole Miss integrated marketing communications junior and the founder of Altar’d Socials, a social media management company, spoke at the summit and shared her insights as the first-place winner of the 2023 Gillespie Business Plan Competition. Her success story, along with the experiences and challenges shared by the Curtsy team, left a lasting impression on the audience.

The summit also provided an opportunity for students to interact with the Curtsy team during a meet-and-greet breakfast. Julia Frazer, a junior marketing major and a Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Scholar, described the occasion as profoundly inspiring, highlighting the invaluable firsthand insights gained from the founders of Curtsy.

The involvement of the Curtsy team extended beyond the panel discussion, as they also served as judges for the 2023 Servin’ the South Business Model Competition. Their active participation and engagement with the student entrepreneurs reflected their commitment to giving back to the university community and contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem at Ole Miss.

The success of the Curtsy founders serves as a testament to the support and resources available to student entrepreneurs at the University of Mississippi. The impact of the CIE in equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the world of business was evident in the inspiring stories and accomplishments shared at the summit.

As the summit concluded, Clay Dibrell, CIE co-director, expressed his enthusiasm for the future of entrepreneurship at Ole Miss, emphasizing the importance of following one’s passion and embracing the journey of entrepreneurship. The invaluable lessons and experiences shared by the Curtsy team will continue to inspire and empower the next generation of student entrepreneurs at the University of Mississippi.