Bright beautiful sunshine and cool temperatures made eating outside at North Harbor a treat!

Just when we all thought the mold and fungus would take us over, Mother Nature relents and sends us a cold front ushering in picture perfect late summer/early fall weather.  Time to turn off the air conditioning and enjoy a light jacket on your early morning walk.  We all love summer but this week’s cooler, dryer weather is just wonderful.

Today Around Davidson is focusing on entrepreneurs – specifically a few notes about a former Davidson resident, Bob Abernethy, and more in-depth news about two current Davidson College juniors, Genevieve Nielsen and Jon Eberhardt.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS ALIVE AND WELL

The dictionary defines an entrepreneur as an enterprising individual who builds capital through risk and/or initiative.  David Boraks, editor of DavidsonNews.net would certainly fit that description as would three other people with Davidson connections we report on today.

Bob Abernethy was in town for the DNC

BOB ABERNETHY

Bob Abernethy, son of the late Helen and George Abernethy, grew up in Davidson in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  He earned his Eagle rank in Boy Scout Troop 58 and following his graduation from North Mecklenburg High School, earned an undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Harvard University.  Bob’s early endeavors into entrepreneurship found him selling magazines door-to-door in Charlotte during the summer and starting a window washing business for Davidson’s Main Street merchants during his high school years.

Through hard work and savvy business sense following college, Bob developed a line of mini-storage facilities in the Los Angeles area where he now lives.  His successful endeavors have allowed him to give back generously to Davidson College in memory of his parents.

An enthusiastic Democrat, Bob was in town this week to attend all four days of the DNC and then stayed over for the weekend to visit with friends and faculty in town.  Bob can tell tales of growing up in Davidson that only ole-timers can relate to with peals of laughter, but he also can tell tales of getting started in the mini-storage business which are important for young entrepreneurs to hear.  Bob was kind enough to take time this past weekend to visit with two such young people, Jon Eberhardt and Genevieve Nielsen, whose story we think DavidsonNews.net readers will find fascinating.

Creators of Cahoots Connect are Genevieve Nielsen and Jon Eberhardt

JON and GENEVIEVE LAUNCH “CAHOOTS CONNECT”

What happens when you take two Davidson College students who are bright, energetic and determined to revolutionize the lives of Davidson College students and alumni by creating a new communications network?  The answer:  Cahoots Connect.  Although help has come from a friend at Pepperdine University and UNCC Computer Science Master’s students, the credit goes almost entirely to Jon Eberhardt and Genevieve Nielsen.  Jon is the son of Jon and Trish Eberhardt of Palos Verdes, CA, while Genevieve, is the daughter of Chris and Laurie Nielsen, of Winnetka, IL.

Jon and Genevieve first “hatched” the idea of Cahoots Connect at the beginning of their sophomore year at Davidson College.  Wanting to get input about their idea of developing a medium to streamline communication between students and alums, Jon and Genevieve have traveled the country interviewing countless individuals, gaining insights into what would work and then spending this past summer working non-stop to “package their product.”

A SRO audience in the 900 Room heard the Cahoots Connect presentation

Now entering their junior year, Genevieve is an Economics major while Jon is focusing on Political Science.  Hard to imagine how they find the time to devote hours to Cahoots Connect but they have caught the entrepreneurial spirit and think they have developed a winner.

Cahoots Connect had its “kick-off” last Saturday evening in the College’s 900 Room.  A packed house heard Jon and Genevieve explain the program – encouraging students to “be in cahoots” with other students and alums – to “connect” to their future.  Not only will Cahoots Connect encourage relationships between students and alums but also would encourage mentorships, advice and professional opportunities.  As their web page states, “Ultimately, The Cahoots Connect team has one goal for the system:  to under promise and over deliver!”

Although Jon and Genevieve created this innovative program, other Davidson students have been part of the team.  They include junior Sam Echikson, contributor to the design and programming of Cahoots Connect, and Ellie Diamant and Blanca Vidal Orga, who contributed to the design of Cahoots Connect.

What a treat for Around Davidson to get to know these young people and to applaud their vision for a better networking among students at Davidson College.  To know more, read the attached Press Release and visit http://www.cahootsconnect.com/whyCahoots/ today.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbbarger@gmail.com.