Alex Henderson

Alex Henderson has known for a long time what he wanted to do, and he didn't have to look far for his inspiration.

"My father has always owned his own business," says Alex, a senior business management major and entrepreneurship minor. "I watched how he dealt with employees and customers, and I knew I wanted to do that, too."

So when Alex came to LaGrange to play football, he also came to learn to be a successful businessman. A new concentration added this year was right up his alley.

"A minor in entrepreneurship was started my senior year, and I jumped on it," he says.

Courses are designed to teach prospective business owners how to develop marketing and business plans, and how to raise funds for that company.

The entrepreneurship students have hit the ground running under the leadership of Neila Holland, Assistant Professor in the Business and Accountancy Department.

"We've started three clubs," he says. "There is Students in Free Enterprise, LaGrange College Business Consultants and the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization. With LCBC, we've been going out into the community, helping them come up with their business plans. A lot of people don't have access to business plans, and they really need us to help them out."

He says one of his favorite projects with LCBC has been working with the new Montessori school in town.

"We met with Dr. (Melinda) Pomeroy-Black, who's involved with the school," he says. "She came to us for help with a business plan because they're trying to get grants to pay for the school. We came up with a list of ideas for them. They came to us with a rough, two-page plan, and we ended up with a 25-page plan that they took to their board. It's been approved and now they will be using it to look for grants."

The club also is working with Oakhurst Farms, but Alex says there aren't enough students or time to help everyone who has asked.

"We try to work with as many as we can."

Alex played football for four years. Though he was injured early in his senior season, the time spent as a student-athlete was invaluable, he says.

"It has shown me that hard work and dedication gets you where you want to go. Even though I was injured this year, I learned that sometimes things happen. But you have to rise above it and support the people who are close to you. I've learned how to work as a team, and it's been a great experience."

After graduation, Alex wants to become a financial advisor.

"I'm going through the hiring process with Edward Jones right now," he says. "They let you manage your own business without all the hassles. I like the face-to-face interaction with people, so that's what I really want to do – have my own company. I'm ready to be my own boss."

Alex has applied for the Pass (Practical Application of Service and Solutions) Program with Edward Jones, which means he would have to relocate to St. Louis or Arizona for nine additional months of training.

"After that, I want to go back home to Cumming, which is right next to Gainesville, and open my own business. I have always lived there, was born there and was raised there."

As much as he loves his hometown, he says his time on the Hill has been rewarding.

"I have friends who go to bigger schools and they know maybe 10 people. But here, I know about 1,000 people. We all know each other, and care about each other. It's been great."