Entrepreneur Icon Visits SDSU

As the world continues to realize the enormous impact entrepreneurs have on our society, successful entrepreneurs, such as Leonard Lavin, are dedicated to helping the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center at San Diego State University continue to "fuel" the spirit of entrepreneurship across the entire campus. One of our programs, The Lavin VentureStart Program, is supported by Leonard Lavin and has two important opportunities for students at SDSU who are aspiring entrepreneurs:

• Lavin Entrepreneur:an exciting two year experiential program for undergraduate juniors, that is open to students from all seven colleges at San Diego State University, and all transfer students. To learn more about the application process Click here!
• VentureStart Competition:a SDSU campus only business ideation and business model competition open to all students at San Diego State University. Click here to learn more!

The very generous gift from Leonard Lavin supports The Lavin VentureStart programs in our Lavin Entrepreneurship Center giving "real world" experience to budding entrepreneurs. Leonard H. Lavin, the founder of Alberto Culver, has been Chairman Emeritus of Alberto Culver since October 2004. He has served as a director since 1955 and Chairman of the Company from 1955 to October 2004.

Mr. Lavin is also a World War II veteran and describes himself as a "marketing person, salesman, business manager, and straight-shooter." Additionally, he has turned his passion for breeding, training and racing thoroughbred horses into an entrepreneurial venture, Glen Hill Farms, which was recently named Florida Breeder of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Leonard Lavin epitomizes the American Dream. In his book Winners Make It Happen: Reflections of a Self-Made Man by Leonard H. Lavin, and Daniel Paisner, Lavin reveals how his instinct-driven vision led him to build the Alberto Culver Corporation from a tiny beauty supply company into a revered Fortune 500 business.