TALLAHASSEE, FL – In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of its Power Forward Speaker Series, First Commerce, in partnership with the FSU Office of Research, is bringing the biggest and best business event yet to Tallahassee on January 30th at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. The event will feature not one, but TWO world-renowned entrepreneurs — Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec, of ABC’s “Shark Tank” fame — live on stage to talk about their real-life entrepreneurial journeys and what it takes to succeed in life and business.
Real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran will talk about how she went from making straight Ds in high school and college to turning $1,000 into a $5 billion-dollar real estate business. Corcoran will also share unique perspectives on lessons she has learned as an investor in more than 80 businesses during her 10 seasons starring on Shark Tank. Tallahasseans may also remember Corcoran as the inaugural speaker for the first ever Power Forward Speaker Series in 2013. She set the stage for a decade of inspiring entrepreneurs in Tallahassee and returns to mark the 10th Anniversary of this powerhouse event.
Globally recognized business leader Robert Herjavec will share his transformative journey of coming to the United States from Yugoslavia to pursue the American Dream. From delivering newspapers to waiting tables to building a global computer company from his basement, Herjavec’s story will inspire and ignite an entrepreneurial passion among people of all ages. Beyond his success as CEO of cybersecurity company Cyderes, Herjavec has invested more than $16 million in local startups during his 14 seasons on Shark Tank.
“As Tallahassee’s largest locally based credit union with a long history of empowering generations and transforming communities, we are proud to partner with local businesses in meaningful ways every day,” said First Commerce CEO Cecilia Homison. “For the 10th anniversary of our Power Forward Speaker Series, what better way to build on our longstanding tradition of bringing powerhouse entrepreneurs than with not one but TWO ‘Sharks’ to bring ideas and inspiration to our local business community.”
The Power Forward Speaker Series has brought well-known wildly successful entrepreneurs to Tallahassee for a decade. Past speakers have included Spencer Rascoff, Co-Founder of Zillow and tech entrepreneur; Chris Gardner, CEO of Happyness; Peter Diamandis, Founder of the XPrize Foundation; Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank; Chip Conley from Airbnb; NFL legend and entrepreneur Jim Kelly; Randi Zuckerberg from the Facebook startup team; and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
“This 10th anniversary event promises to be a catalyst for economic development in our area by inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit in Tallahassee,” said FSU Vice President for Research Dr. Stacey Patterson. “We are excited to help bring these two incredible speakers to share their remarkable journeys and experiences with both new and existing business members of our community.”
The 10th Annual Power Forward Speaker Series is scheduled for Tuesday, January 30th, starting at 3:30 p.m. in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on FSU’s campus. Established as Tallahassee’s largest annual business event, Power Forward draws nearly 1,000 attendees each year, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as college and high school students, to hear from well-known entrepreneurs that they may not otherwise have a chance to see.
Tickets for the 2024 Power Forward Speaker Series event with Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec start at just $20 with early-bird pricing ($10 for students) and are available for purchase at Tickets.fsu.edu Tickets may also be purchased in person at the FSU Fine Arts Ticket Office, located in the lobby of the Fine Arts Building at 540 W. Call St. Early-bird pricing will expire on January 1st, 2024. Limited sponsorship opportunities including a special VIP event are available.
Stay connected with the Power Forward Speaker Series on social media using the hashtag #PwrFwd and follow @FirstCommerceCU and @FSUResearch for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
For more information about the 10th Annual Power Forward Speaker Series with Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec, visit //FirstCommerceCU.org/PowerForward.
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ABOUT FIRST COMMERCE
First Commerce Credit Union is an award-winning, full-service, #LocalStrong financial institution dedicated to Empowering Generations and Transforming Communities for more than 80 years. The credit union serves more than 70,000 consumer and business members across North Florida and South Georgia and has more than $1 billion in assets. First Commerce offers best-in-class consumer and business products and services. The credit union also offers free financial literacy resources in person and online through the FCCU Foundation, as well as comprehensive financial planning and investment services through its subsidiary Six Pillars Financial Advisors, and commercial and personal insurance through First Commerce Insurance Agency. For details, visit FirstCommerceCU.org or call 850.488.0035 or 800.533.5772. Insured by NCUA. Equal housing opportunity lender.
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