Russell Simmons Speaks from the Heart

Russell Simmons, Entrepreneur & Author, delivered a message of “…money won’t make you happy, but happiness can make you money” to a very receptive crowd of over 350 attendees in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center on the University of Cincinnati campus on Wednesday, May 18, 2011.

Former UC student Jaydev Karande, co-founder of Wearcast, in conjunction with the UC Student Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club), and the UC Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research organized the appearance by the entrepreneur Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam and author of "Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All." Simmons is a successful entrepreneur and considered to be one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years." Simmons is regarded as a "hip-hop pioneer" for his groundbreaking vision that has influenced music, fashion, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy.

University of Cincinnati President and Mrs. Williams joined the audience for his 90 minute presentation and Q&A covering wealth, happiness, education, jobs, and more.  For seven minutes, Simmons led the audience in a group meditation.  “It was impressive to see everyone focus their energy on mediation,” commented Dr. Charles H. Matthews, Executive Director of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research.  “It was also a pleasure to introduce Jaydev Karande, a former UC student from 1998-2002 who is pursuing quite a successful entrepreneurial career of his own, first as the co-founder of ZipScene.com and now the founder of Wearcast.

Karande introduced Simmons and served as MC feeding questions to Simmons, whose recent book "Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All" is about the concept of "true wealth and has more to do with what's in your heart than what's in your wallet." Simmons uses his rare blend of spiritual savvy and street-smart wisdom to offer a new definition of wealth, and share timeless principles for developing an unshakable sense of self that can weather any financial storm. Simmons became one of America's shrewdest entrepreneurs, achieving a level of success that most investors only dream about.

Simmons signed books for over an hour as many in the audience lined up to meet the author.  The UC Bookstore has copies of his book in stock, with a few signed by the author.

This event was part of the Center for Entrepreneurship’s Small Business Week activities and was sponsored by Rush Card, Wearcast, CincyTech, the Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research, the Entrepreneurship Club at the College of Business, and the UC Bookstore.