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What’s the connection between live music and entrepreneurship? The Deming Centers’ recent Startups and Sandwiches event marked a unique collaboration between the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship Center for Music at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Bringing together student entrepreneurs from diverse fields across campus, the session was a celebration of innovation, creativity, and cross-disciplinary learning.

Held in the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, the event featured live performances by student musicians who are also entrepreneurs. (Trumpet), (Drums), and (Bass guitar), and their amazing musicianship articulated the importance of listening skills in playing their wonderfulÌýmusic. This provided a dynamic backdrop to the afternoon’s talk, which was delivered by Visda Carson, a professor at the Leeds School of Business, and Marilyn Brock, a professor at the College of Music.Ìý

Their presentation, "Listen Your Way to the Top," focused on the importance of active listening and how it can be leveraged as a skill in business and entrepreneurial ventures. Carson emphasized that listening is not just a soft skill, but a powerful tool for leadership, decision-making, and fostering innovation. Her insights resonated with the audience, who comprised students, faculty, and community members interested in entrepreneurship, whether through business or music.

A Harmonious Blend of Business and Music

This collaboration was not just a one-off event but part of a broader effort by both centers to bridge the gap between business and the arts, recognizing that entrepreneurial thinking can thrive in any discipline. The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship is known for its commitment to fostering innovation and providing resources to budding entrepreneurs at CU Boulder. Similarly, the Entrepreneurship Center for Music is dedicated to equipping musicians with the entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive landscape, where artistic talent alone is no longer enough.

The live music aspect of thisÌýevent was a true highlight, showcasing student entrepreneurs who are not only musicians but also business-minded innovators. By combining performance with entrepreneurial conversation, the event demonstrated how listening skills and leadership can intersect to produce powerful results. Together, these two centers aim to create an ecosystem where students can learn, create, and launch their ideas into the world, regardless of their academic focus. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in education, particularly in areas like entrepreneurship, where diverse perspectives often lead to groundbreaking innovation.

Startups and Sandwiches continues to grow as a key initiative, providing an informal platform for students to network, share ideas, and learn from experts in various industries. It encourages students from all areas of study to think outside the box and consider how entrepreneurial skills can apply to their passions, whether inÌýmusic, science, technology, or beyond.

The collaboration between the Deming Center and the Entrepreneurship Center for Music during this event showcases CU Boulder's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent across disciplines. By bringing together the worlds of business and music, they provide a space where students can learn from each other, innovate, and turn their creative ideas into viable ventures. Entrepreneurship is not confined to traditional business sectors but is a mindset that can be applied across all areas of life.

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