February 11, 2025

Venture College Hosts Entrepreneur and Author Joseph Hanna for an Exclusive Innovation Workshop

By Yazan Kakish
- College of Business
- Marketing and Business Analytics

East Texas A&M University's Venture College, housed within the College of Business, continues to bring industry leaders to campus to inspire, educate, and engage students in the entrepreneurial process. On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the college welcomed renowned entrepreneur, author and speaker Joseph Hanna for an exclusive event titled “From Startup to Exit: Mastering the Art of Continuous Innovation.”

Hanna, the author of the #1 Amazon New Release “Pivoting as a Way of Life” and creator of the Pivoting Life Operating Model (PLOM), shared his expertise on continuous innovation and the evolving role of product management. The interactive discussion provided students with firsthand insights into adapting to an AI-driven economy and how the PLOM framework is transforming the business landscape, much like SCRUM did for software development.

The event, held at East Texas A&M University's Dallas location, was attended by 20 students from diverse programs, including Visual Communications, the Venture College Entrepreneurship Program, and Dallas College. This intimate setting fostered in-depth discussions, enabling students to engage directly with Hanna about his five successful business exits, including the sale of ENGAGE to Carlyle.

Jacob Pouttu, Coordinator for Venture College, emphasized the significance of bringing thought leaders like Hanna to campus, stating:

“My goal for this event was to give my entrepreneurship students a real-world look at what it takes to launch and grow a successful startup. Joseph Hanna's perspective on ‘product-market fit' is particularly eye-opening—he challenges the conventional wisdom that static PMF is the ultimate goal. Instead, he advocates for continuous innovation, which, in my opinion, is a paradigm shift. Hanna is iconoclastic in the best way because his five exits back up these groundbreaking claims, and it's this kind of thinking that can truly transform a business and keep it relevant in an ever-changing market.”

Reflecting on his experience at the event, Hanna shared:

“My evening at East Texas A&M’s Dallas location was truly remarkable. The energy and curiosity in the room reminded me why I love what I do. Beyond the business strategies and success stories, it was the genuine conversations and shared experiences that made the night special. The questions were insightful, and the discussions afterward were inspiring. It’s these moments of connection that make the entrepreneurial journey worthwhile.”

Venture College remains committed to creating opportunities for students to connect with industry experts, providing them with hands-on experiences that align with East Texas A&M University's mission to transform lives. Through workshops, guest speakers, and signature events such as the Lions Innovation Showcase in April, Venture College continues to serve as a dynamic hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup success. By fostering these connections, the university ensures that students not only gain knowledge but also develop the critical thinking and adaptability needed to thrive in today's fast-changing business world.