Lessons from Entrepreneurs
At TCU, student entrepreneurship is thriving thanks to programs like CREATE and the Entrepreneurship Club, which provide resources, mentorship and community to help Horned Frogs turn ideas into action. Recently, these programs cohosted a panel featuring local Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) entrepreneurs giving students a firsthand look at the realities of starting and growing a business.
CREATE: Supporting Horned Frog Entrepreneurs 
CREATE’s mission is to support students at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey, providing mentorship, early-stage funding and guidance to help ideas come to life.
Led by Marcellis Perkins, CREATE program director and TCU’s Office of Strategy & Innovation Fellow, the program ensures students have the tools and connections they need to succeed whether they’re just starting out or ready to scale.
TCU Entrepreneurship Club: Student Leadership and Networking
The TCU Entrepreneurship Club puts students in the driver’s seat, offering leadership opportunities while fostering a collaborative community for aspiring entrepreneurs. Members gain practical experience running events and initiatives while building a professional network of peers, alumni and local business leaders.
The club complements CREATE by creating a peer-driven ecosystem where students can share ideas, get feedback and find support as they pursue their ventures.
Panel Highlights: Lessons From Local Entrepreneurs
The panel featured an impressive lineup of DFW entrepreneurs sharing their experiences,
challenges and insights:
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Nathan Butorac ’13, CEO and founder of Piñatagrams
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Yvonne Igodan ’18 (’14), MBA, CEO and founder of Pinned Pins
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Ty Vansteenburg ’25, Jimmy Johns franchise owner
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Toan Luong, CEO and co-founder of Ampersand
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Edward Morgan, CEO of Revitalize Charging Solutions
Panelists offered practical advice on key aspects of entrepreneurship, including bootstrapping,
marketing, team building and maintaining resilience in the face of rejection.
Morgan emphasized the power of persistence, saying, “One yes can lead to many more,” and reminding students not to take rejection personally. Vansteenberg shared how family
and community support kept him grounded while pursuing ambitious goals and Igodan
highlighted the importance of knowing your “why,” letting that passion guide every
business decision. 
The panel also offered a reality check on entrepreneurship, emphasizing that success requires long hours, resilience and adaptability. Yet with passion, strong networking and strategic thinking, challenges can be transformed into opportunities.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Horned Frog Entrepreneurs
For students ready to launch their own ventures, the panel offered clear instructions:
- Start now: Don’t wait for the “perfect” idea or moment – action is key.
- Seek mentorship: Learn from experienced entrepreneurs, alumni and industry professionals.
- Leverage resources: Take full advantage of CREATE, Entrepreneurship Club and other campus programs.
- Embrace failure: Treat setbacks as learning opportunities and keep iterating.
With the Entrepreneurship Club offering leadership and networking experiences and CREATE providing mentorship and resources, TCU equips Horned Frogs with the foundation to turn their ideas into thriving ventures.