Amy Jurgens, Southeast Community College Center for Entrepreneurship

This week on Inside Business, Travis Filing and Gary Tharnish sit down with Amy Jurgens, Director of Entrepreneurship at Southeast Community College Center for Entrepreneurship, to discuss what it really takes to turn an idea into a successful business. Drawing from her experience working with entrepreneurs at every stage of the business lifecycle, Amy shares insights into the challenges new business owners face, the common mistakes that derail promising ventures, and the resources available to help entrepreneurs gain traction and grow. The conversation explores the importance of business planning, mentorship, networking, and developing the skills necessary to move from concept to execution. Travis, Gary, and Amy also discuss Nebraska's entrepreneurial ecosystem, the role education plays in fostering innovation, and why entrepreneurship is a viable path for people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Amy offers practical advice for aspiring business owners, students, and professionals considering launching a venture of their own. The discussion goes beyond startups and into the mindset of entrepreneurship itself—covering problem-solving, resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of opportunity. Whether you're thinking about starting a business, growing an existing company, or simply interested in the entrepreneurial journey, this episode provides valuable insights from someone dedicated to helping the next generation of business owners succeed.