FORT WORTH, Texas — Charles creates cakes. Doris does designs. Bobby bakes bread. All three know pretty much everything about their craft — except how to turn a profit.
That’s where Dr. Xoriunstance “Xori” Brown comes in. She’s in her second year teaching entrepreneurship and small business management at Tarrant County College Northwest.
“We offer several programs, including Television and Graphic Communication, Music and Visual Arts,” she said. “These are industries that operate largely in a gig economy. Where people are out in the world wanting to make a living for themselves managing their own business.”
Brown’s students are a mixed bag. Some want to start a company. Some will seek business training first. Others may join the family business or assume control from their parents. “But all of them want more insight into the business world and the skills necessary to successfully run a business.”
The program provides both Level I and II Certificates, along with a Small Business Associate (Occupational Skill Award) and an Associate in Applied Science degree. Students learn executable business models and how to generate fresh ideas through creative thinking and problem solving. They also encounter elements of marketing, customer service, selling and relationship building.
Brown’s core list of marketable skills includes critical thinking, reasoning, communication, personal and social responsibility, teamwork and computer literacy. All are vital, she said, with critical thinking and communication the most important.
“You’ve got to be able to think through things, figure things out,” she said. “Communication is key because you’re going to have to network, talk to potential customers and partners.”
She sees her program not as a smorgasbord of separate subjects but a “mindset” of numerous skills. “It’s a way of thinking, of how to navigate whatever challenges or opportunities arise. For instance, how is your resilience? You need to be able to recover from any kind of setback because you’re going to have some. What solutions are you providing for a challenge or problem that might exist?”
One challenge Brown herself faces is that entrepreneurship in the title hints of Silicon Valley startups and venture capitalists. “I emphasize to my students that since it’s all about a mindset, entrepreneurship can exist at any level, even among individuals who don’t own a company.”
Structuring the curriculum on three levels accommodates the students who want to acquire only those pieces that address presumed needs. “What frequently happens,” Brown said, “is that they’re so intrigued with the classes that it opens their eyes and they think, ‘Well, I need to know more, so I might as well continue.’ ”
One incentive for students to stay the course is that completion brings the AAS degree. “They are fully aware of this, and I think they get excited about it. They’re thinking, ‘Not only am I learning but I’m getting this degree. I’m going to do what I want with the knowledge I’ve received from TCC.’ ”
TCC Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker loves what she sees here.
“Our Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management program empowers students to transform their ideas into actionable business models, fostering the creativity, critical thinking and resilience necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic economy,” Dr. Blankenbaker said. “We are dedicated to equipping individuals with the strategic communication skills they need to lead, innovate and succeed — whether launching their own ventures or driving innovation within established organizations. At TCC we believe that with the right tools and determination, every dream has the potential to become a reality.”
For more information, contact Dr. Brown at 817-515-7093 or xoriunstance.brown@tccd.edu.
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.