Inkandescent Public Relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, InkandescentPR.com
703.346.6975 / hope@inkandescentpr.com

SEASONED ENTREPRENEURS SHARE SECRETS OF THEIR SUCCESS AT GRAND OPENING OF THE LURN CENTER IN ROCKVILLE: APRIL 14-15

If you could ask any question of an entrepreneur who turned their idea into a multi-million company — what would it be? You’ll have the chance April 14-15 at the Grand Opening to the Lurn Center, a state-of-the-art 26,000 square-foot training and community center: 2098 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD

April 2018, Rockville, MD — Four successful entrepreneurs will be speaking and taking questions from the more than 1,500 guests expected to attend the April 14-15 Grand Opening of the Lurn Center — an expansive 26,000-square-foot entrepreneurship training and community center provides a shared workspace, in-person and distance courses, camaraderie, community, and more.

“We are so pleased and proud to have such amazing leaders from the business community help us launch the Lurn Center,” explains Anik Singal, 34, who since launching the multi-million-dollar training firm Lurn, Inc., in 2002, has helped thousands of entrepreneurs find success by teaching them to maximize digital advertising, social media marketing, and email marketing to grow their businesses. For his work, BusinessWeek recognized him as one of the Best U.S. Entrepreneurs Under 25.

Grand Opening Speakers include:

• Kevin Harrington, an original “shark” on the hit TV show Shark Tank, and founder of As Seen on TV — The creator of the infomercial, pioneer of the As Seen on TV brand, and co-founding board member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, Harrington’s work behind-the-scenes of business ventures has produced more than $5 billion in global sales. Twenty of his companies have each topped $100 million in revenue. Kevin got his start as a young entrepreneur in the early 80s when he invested $25,000 and launched Quantum International. This turned into a $500 million/year business on the New York Stock Exchange and drove the stock price from $1 to $20 per share. After selling his interest in Quantum International, he formed a joint venture with the Home Shopping Network, called HSN Direct, which grew to hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Entrepreneur magazine has called him one of the top Entrepreneurs of our time: asseenontvstore.com

• Kevin Strawbridge, CEO of Clickbank — Business leader, entrepreneur and strategist, Kevin Strawbridge with decades of eCommerce experience is the CEO of ClickBank, one of Idaho’s largest privately owned technology companies. Since 1999, Strawbridge has been integrally involved in businesses reliant on eCommerce and digital marketing. He has served in roles with hands-on experience in all digital marketing functions including affiliate management and operations, search, e-mail, display and social. Prior to joining ClickBank, Kevin was the president of Motorsport Aftermarket Group’s Retail Group leading the division and its two lines of business. Strawbridge spent his early career in Big 4 auditing with Deloitte, corporate accounting and management consulting with PwC. He transitioned to eCommerce and digital marketing with JCPenney Direct early in their growth cycle and at the forefront of eCommerce as a long-term channel for consumers. Following JCPenney, Kevin served in management roles with increasing responsibility in retail and technology: clickbank.com

• Gina Schaefer, CEO and co-founder of 12 ACE Hardware stores in Washington, DC Baltimore, MD and Alexandria, VA — A passionate entrepreneur, Schaefer and her husband grew their company in a 14-year period into a multi-million dollar small business that employs 300 people. Not one to be stumped by convention, Gina challenges the male-dominated hardware industry to think well outside the box. Her motto – “born and original, don’t die a copy” is evident in her passion for urban markets, small business, and the ability for women to succeed in all aspects of the hardware industry. Gina has tirelessly focused on the “Return to Main Street” movement in her own city of Washington D.C. to promote Shop Local campaigns and community revitalization projects in urban areas. This has resulted in partnering with many local entrepreneurs and creating a D.C.-based program to sell locally made goods from prime shelf space in her stores. She serves on the CCA Global Partners, Inc. Board of Directors and is a member of the Ace Center for Excellence. She serves on the non-profit boards of House of Ruth and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance: acehardwaredc.com

• Laura Lee Williams, founder of the fashion firm Laura Lee Designs — Laura Lee’s company poduces high-end purses, which are sold around the world. Formerly a marketing guru Nike, Apple, American Express, and Ralph Lauren, she was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug as child. Her motto: “Don’t live a ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ life, wondering what you could have done:” lauraleedesigns.com

Come Lurn, Play, and Explore April 14-15

• From 10am-5pm both days, guests will tour the center’s 140-seat lecture hall, training classrooms, audio and video studio, and other areas to meet-up in the sociable high-tech environment.
• Throughout the weekend there will be games, prizes, food, and more!
• On Sunday evening, the winner of a $50,000 prize being awarded through Lurn, Inc.’s LurnVestor project will be announced. This “shark tank” type event helps early-stage startups get off the ground. Click here for details: http://lurnworkshop.com/vestor/

Get your free ticket today at LurnCenter.com. For more information, call 240-762-6155. Become a fan at facebook.com/lurninc