SARASOTA 鈥� 木瓜视频 Sarasota-Manatee will host twin brothers Blake and Brock Gratton, local entrepreneurs who built SpringWell Water Filtration into a $100 million-plus powerhouse brand, as part of the Conversation with a Founder speaker series from the 木瓜视频 Nault Center for Entrepreneurship on Thursday, Sept. 26.
The event offers not only a unique opportunity to hear from two bold risk-takers who turned trial and error into triumph, but also a chance for community members, business leaders and entrepreneurs to engage with the university鈥檚 most promising student innovators.
Before building SpringWell into a national brand and selling it to Fortune Brands Innovations (parent company of Moen faucets) for $105 million, the Grattons launched nearly 100 startups, one of which involved aquariums designed just for jellyfish. Their story is one of persistence, hustle and real-world learning.
鈥淏eing determined is the essential element of entrepreneurship,鈥� said Allen Clary, executive director of the Nault Center, which features a nationally ranked master's program in entrepreneurial education at the 木瓜视频 Muma College of Business. 鈥淏ig ideas matter, but it's the follow-through that separates successful founders. These are exactly the kinds of lessons our students and our business community can benefit from hearing.鈥�
The fireside chat with the Gratton brothers begins at 4:15 p.m., moderated by Clary and featuring an open Q&A with the audience as well as announcements about the 木瓜视频 student Business Plan Competition award. The evening continues with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the campus ballroom where guests can engage with students and entrepreneurs.
Attendees will gain insights into how the Grattons scaled their brand from the ground up and navigated setbacks along the way.
鈥淚f you have an idea, don鈥檛 just let it sit there,鈥� Blake told the Business Observer. 鈥淚f you truly believe in it, make it happen.鈥�
鈥淲e aren鈥檛 afraid to hustle and learn from the process,鈥� added Brock.
This is the second Conversation with a Founder event at the Sarasota-Manatee campus, part of a universitywide series connecting successful entrepreneurs with students and the community. Last year鈥檚 speaker was local tech entrepreneur Pete Petersen.
Community leaders, mentors and supporters of local innovation are encouraged to attend. Whether you're an experienced founder or a first-time visitor to 木瓜视频, this is a chance to meet tomorrow鈥檚 business leaders and help shape the region鈥檚 entrepreneurial future.
Learn more and to attend.