We asked three College of Business professors about their experience as business owners and how that entrepreneurial spirit carries over into the classroom and benefits students. The roundtable consisted of Associate Professor Randa Zalman, Assistant Professor Joe Kirby and Professor Anthony Clarke.
Tell us about your experience as a business owner and entrepreneur.
Zalman: “Before transitioning into higher education, I had more than a decade of experience as a business owner. I initially served as a partner at an Omaha-based advertising agency, where I collaborated with five other partners and more than 20 employees. We provided advertising and marketing services to a variety of clients across higher education, retail, insurance, home improvement and other verticals. After recognizing a growing demand for specialized marketing services in highly regulated industries, I founded my own social media and marketing firm. My team crafted comprehensive social media and digital marketing solutions for more than 70 national and international organizations, helping them navigate complex regulatory environments while engaging with their customers. After several years of growth, I sold the business and shifted my focus to higher education, where I could use my experience to guide the next generation of leaders.”
Kirby: “My journey as a business owner began in high school, when my brothers and I ran a lawn service and snow plowing company. In college, I ventured into contract computer programming, developing customized applications for businesses just starting to embrace personal computing. Then in 2004, I made a significant leap by investing in a Ford dealership in a small town of 4,000. My focus was on staff development, strategic planning and operational management. We expanded our footprint by acquiring a Chevy/Pontiac dealership and co-locating it with our Ford store. While business ownership in a dealership brings numerous rewards, it also presents unique challenges—such as managing large personal guarantees, navigating employee and customer dynamics, weathering the global financial crisis and GM bankruptcy, and putting in long hours. There’s a saying that business owners only work half days; you just choose which 12 hours to work! In 2017, I sold my interest in the dealership to pursue my doctorate and transition into education. Simultaneously, I founded a property management company and invested in residential and commercial real estate, both through direct ownership and partnerships with trusted colleagues.
Lastly, I have provided strategy and performance management consulting to small and medium-sized organizations, further enriching my understanding of business dynamics.”
Clarke: “We are all business owners if we consider that we are primarily responsible for managing our own human capital (self). We subsequently might add additional financial, physical or human capital to create an enterprise. So, my experience extends from choosing my educational classes, to my paper route as a kid, to my later interests in retail and real estate.”
Have you always felt a certain entrepreneurial spirit? Where do you think that came from?
Zalman: “Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve always believed in the life-changing powers of hard work and persistence. This mindset has guided me throughout my career, fueling my drive to take risks and pursue ambitious goals. The women in my family have been role models in this regard. They’ve consistently demonstrated the value of recognizing opportunities and leveraging tenacity and creativity to maximize success. Their example has helped me embrace being both strategic and bold in my own entrepreneurial pursuits.”
Kirby: “My father, who loved teaching, left his position at Boys Town for real estate after the birth of his seventh child, eventually starting his own company with a trusted partner. Growing up, I witnessed his dedication—long hours, staff development and navigating the challenges of the double-digit interest rates of the late 1970s. This experience provided me with a realistic view of the ups and downs of business ownership. Additionally, my grandmother operated a solo custom drapery business, passing her skills down to my mother, who continued the family tradition in Omaha. I remember asking my mother how often her proposals were declined for being too expensive. She replied, “Never.” I smiled, and she shook her head; she focused on the craft and her passion for excellence, not the business.”
Clarke: “My family has a long history in business. My great grandpa opened a grocery store in Broken Bow, Nebraska in 1919. My grandpa and grandma later had a grocery store in Central City, Nebraska. My grandma and other key people ran that store while my grandpa served in World War II. As a kid, my mother ran a garden center in the summer and worked in bookkeeping while my father was the general manager of a grocery business. My family and extended family continue in various entrepreneurial pursuits today. An entrepreneurial perspective is something that was discussed and celebrated in our family interactions.”
How do you think your experience as a business owner informs your teaching?
Zalman: “Being a former business owner has proven to be a valuable asset in my teaching. While our curricula and supporting materials are excellent, there are certain nuances of running a business that can only be fully understood through personal experience. Having navigated the challenges, risks and successes, I’m able to provide students with scenarios, insights and practical examples that go beyond the textbooks. These real-world experiences enhance classroom discussions, often allowing me to provide additional teachable moments that resonate more deeply with students. Whether it’s about managing clients, overcoming obstacles or making important decisions under pressure, these lessons help bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students a more comprehensive understanding of what it truly means to succeed in business.”
Kirby: “Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, ‘In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.’ For those who have owned a business, it’s clear that the clean lessons found in textbooks can become quite messy in the real world. Textbook problems typically yield straightforward solutions, but real-world scenarios often present more ambiguity. By providing students with complex scenarios that lack clear outcomes, I encourage them to approach problems from multiple angles, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in business.”
Clarke: “Many want to vilify business and business owners. The problem with that narrative is that the business is doing ‘community service.’ The business owner serves the community by providing a service and creating value or profit in the process. Students are pursuing an admirable pursuit by serving their community and creating value as business professionals. There is also a ‘no-nonsense’ element that is readily apparent in my teaching. I don’t have time to dwell on concepts or perspectives that have little relevance to reality.”
Do you think the College of Business offers a unique experience for students because so many faculty members having experience as business owners and entrepreneurs?
Zalman: “One of the hallmarks of being an entrepreneur is the ability to be agile, embrace innovation and maintain a lifelong learning mindset. I have found these qualities are deeply embedded in the way our faculty approach teaching. At Bellevue University, this entrepreneurial spirit sets us apart. Not only are they experts in their fields, but our faculty members also demonstrate a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and integrating the latest developments into their courses. Students are receiving a dynamic education that prepares them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”
Clarke: “Sharing ‘real-life’ experiences can provide context and motivation for students to master the content, tools and techniques associated with finance. There is also an academic and organizational culture at Bellevue University that is searching for solutions. This ‘can-do’ culture combined with wise discernment can result in a highly productive enterprise and an excellent academic experience for students.”
Kirby: “The diverse experience of our faculty and adjuncts enriches the educational experience, allowing students to learn from practitioners who blend theoretical knowledge with practical insights. With our students averaging in their early 30s, they come to us seeking skills that they can immediately apply in their careers. Our approach is uniquely positioned to equip students with the workplace-ready skills they need to succeed in today’s dynamic business environment.”