Bill Phelps

CEO, Daves Hot Chicken

Armen Vartanian

Founder, Oceanview Capital Partners

James Shecter

Senior Associate, Fika ventures

Daniel Bustos 

Associate, Oceanview Capital

Sam Hollander

Songwriter 

Jonathan F. Macias 

CEO, Macia

Erik Severson 

8x Best Selling author

Kendyl Young 

Managing Partner, ADU DIGGS

Elena Bolbolian

Chief Innovation Officier, Glendale

Robert Morelli

President, Sony Music Entertainment

AJ Abdallat

CEO, Beyond Limits

David Patrick 

CTO, Shark Wheel

Edna Ma 

Founder, BareEase| Anesthesiologist

Zack Fleishman

CEO, Shark Wheel 

Shawn Matiossian

Senior HR Manager, Walt Disney

Ryan Zervakos

Senior Account Director

Angelica Song 

Marketing Manager, YouTube

Arthur Arushanyan

CEO, Whats Rollin'

Desi Saran

Founder & CEO, Sweetberry

Arman Oganesyan

CBO at Dave's Hot Chicken

Dr. Greg Autry

Director Space Leadership

Diana Madison

CEO, Diana Madison Productions

Claire Mara Takamatsu

Event producer, Nike

Karen Civil

EVP, Young Money Entertainment

GCC Business Club was proud to host a presentation by representatives at Snapchat informing students and members about their summer 2024 Snapchat Academy internships. Students were able to learn about their internship positions that focused on design, storytelling, engineering, or the Snap Lens Academy. The mixer gave members a chance to mingle and network, gave a recap of the year and prepared students for upcoming professional plans for the summer. On of Business Club's very own, Esfar Jawad (Chairman 2024-25), was accepted into the internship position and experienced life on Snapchat's Santa Monica campus for the duration of the summer, where he worked on projects with fellow interns and learned more about the inner workings of the corporation. 

Snapchat Academy Mixer

Towards the end of the Fall 2023 semester, Business Club hosted guest speakers from different professional fields to lecture students on the journey from education to working in technology, law, and business careers. Esteemed speakers included Dominic Tavitian, Product of Affirm and Co-Founder of Refer me, Emineh Issaian Esq., Founder and Principal Attorney at Issaian Law Firm, and Armen Vartanian, Founder of Oceanview Capital Partners. They shared valuable insight for students of all pre-professional aspirations, catering to the wide variety of students that Business Club creates a forum for. Students were able to hear the speakers' personal journey to their career and experience in that position, receive advice from established professionals of different backgrounds, and have their questions answered directly following the lecture segments. Business Club students were also able to connect with the speakers individually, offering space to network, review resumes, and exchange contacts in order to facilitate future reference and possible work/internship opportunities. 

Meet Your Industry

On May 25th, we gathered in-person at Kreider Hall for our Fireside Chat Private Equity Series. The event featured an insightful discussion on private equity and investment banking led by industry expert Daniel Bustos.

Attendees had the opportunity to expand their network and gain valuable knowledge about the various ways transfer students can excel in the business world. The event provided a platform for meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and valuable insights from the speaker and fellow attendees.
We express our gratitude to Daniel Bustos for sharing his expertise and engaging in a thought-provoking discussion. The Fireside Chat Private Equity Series served as a fantastic conclusion to the semester, leaving attendees inspired and equipped with valuable insights for their future business endeavors.

Private Equity Fireside Chat

We hosted business expert and venture capitalist James Shecter, who shared valuable insights on entrepreneurial endeavors and Venture Capital. James has extensive industry experience, starting at Citibank in NYC, then transitioning to Lee Equity and 9 Yards Capital. He currently co-leads The MBA Fund and is a Senior Associate at Fika Ventures in Los Angeles, where he supports new business projects and community impact.

Private Equity and Venture Capital 101

GCC Business Club's semi-annual mixer open to all GCC students and other club members to engage in collaboration, talks, etc.

2023 Business Club Mixer

The Business Lecture Series proved to be a resounding success! We had the presence of Sam Hollander for being our incredible guest speaker and sharing his inspiring story. We hope that the participants found the lecture insightful and left with a renewed sense of inspiration and motivation.

Business Careers in Music

Startup Boost Day, held in collaboration with Hero House and Glendale Tech Week, brought together over thirty hundred students from SoCal for an all-day workshop designed to assist them in building their very own startups from scratch. The event featured a dynamic and immersive experience where participants had the chance to collaborate, brainstorm ideas, and receive guidance from experienced mentors. Throughout the day, students worked tirelessly to develop their startup concepts, refining their business models, and crafting their pitches.

Startup Boost Day provided an ideal environment for students to immerse themselves in the entrepreneurial process, gaining hands-on experience and insights into what it takes to transform an idea into a viable business venture. The workshop fostered creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork, equipping participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations. By the end of the event, students had developed and pitched their startups, showcasing their innovative ideas to a supportive audience. The collaborative and energizing atmosphere created a sense of excitement and possibility, inspiring participants to continue their entrepreneurial journeys beyond Startup Boost Day.

Overall, the workshop was a remarkable opportunity for Southern California students to immerse themselves in the world of startups and gain practical skills and knowledge. Startup Boost Day served as a launchpad for their entrepreneurial endeavors, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and make a meaningful impact in the business world.








Startup Boost Day

The final event of the semester, the annual Business Lecture Series on "Business Careers in Real Estate," was held as the culmination of a fast-paced semester. The event featured two esteemed speakers, Jonathan F. Macias and Dro Gharapetian, who shared their journeys and successes in the real estate industry. Hosting the event was the exceptional Business Club president, Mariam Hagopian.

Attendees eagerly delved into the details and insights shared by the speakers, gaining valuable knowledge about pursuing careers in the dynamic field of real estate. The event provided a platform for networking, learning, and inspiration, allowing students to explore the possibilities and potential within the industry. As the semester concluded, the Business Club celebrated the successful completion of their annual Business Lecture Series, which played a significant role in expanding students' understanding of real estate careers.

Business Careers in Real Estate

The annual PITCHFEST was hosted on Tuesday, April 12, from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. The event was streamed live on YouTube, allowing participants to join and watch as a panel of judges witnessed three students pitching their business ideas. It served as a valuable opportunity for students eager to learn about selling a business idea and those interested in the overall activities of the club.



Pitchfest 2022

The GCC Business Club organized a fascinating talk with Robert Morelli, the former President of Sony Music Entertainment's RED Distribution/RED Music Label Group and the CEO & Founder of Cool is Forever Consulting, LLC. The event took place to discuss the current state of the music industry and its evolution, with a particular focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the talk, Robert Morelli shared his extensive contributions to the music entertainment industry over his 30+ year career. He discussed various sales and marketing strategies that are unique to the music business, providing valuable insights into navigating this dynamic industry.

Moreover, Robert Morelli outlined ways in which attendees could prepare to participate in entrepreneurial endeavors specific to the music industry. His expertise shed light on the opportunities and challenges present in this field, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and pursue their ventures successfully.

The talk with Robert Morelli offered a valuable perspective on the music industry, showcasing the industry's transformation and adaptation during challenging times. Attendees gained valuable knowledge, insights, and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the music business.

AJ Abdallat, CEO of Beyond Limits and advisory board member for Caltech's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST), was the guest speaker for the Hackathon event held last Tuesday. Beyond Limits, an artificial intelligence engineering company, creates advanced software solutions for industries such as energy, utilities, and healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in building high-tech startups, AJ specializes in bio-inspired artificial intelligence, reasoning systems, and smart sensors.

Before his involvement with Beyond Limits, AJ co-founded and served as CEO of several startups affiliated with Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During his tenure, he successfully raised over $250M in venture and strategic investment. AJ holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Science from the University of California at Berkeley. His presence at the Hackathon event provided attendees with valuable insights and expertise in the field of artificial intelligence and technology entrepreneurship.

Business Hackathon

The GCC Business Club hosted the PitchFest event on Wednesday, May 12, from 12:00 - 1:30 PM. Five finalists competed against one another, presenting their business ideas. Three Shark Tank winners were present to judge the students, and a total of $1,650 in prizes was at stake. The event was open to everyone, providing a platform for participants to showcase their entrepreneurial ventures and gain valuable feedback from experienced judges.






Shark tank Winners as Celebrity Judges

The GCC Business Club invited all GCC students to partake in the Elevator Pitch event, which took place on Wednesday, April 21, from 12:00 - 1:30 PM. The event was mandatory for the PitchFest applicants, providing them with an opportunity to win up to $750. Leading mentor Armen Vartanian, Founder of Oceanview Capital Partners, Inc., prepared the participants for the PitchFest competition and taught them the essentials of writing a winning Business Plan. Attendees had the chance to enhance their pitching skills and receive valuable guidance from an experienced industry professional.






Elevator Pitch

The GCC Business Club hosted the first event of the semester on March 17 2021 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. The Social Media Marketing event covered the impact of social media on personal branding and business. The panel featured Ryan Zervakos, Senior Hybrid Sales Representative at Linkedin; Angelica Song, Content Creator & Marketing Manager at the Daily Californian; and Shawn Matiossian, Former Corporate & Artist Nation Head of Talent Acquisition. Attendees had the opportunity to gain insights from these industry experts and learn about leveraging social media for effective marketing strategies.






Social Media Marketing

The event is part of a new Let's Scale series that we are trying out based around the restaurant industry, specifically in fast-casual. Meet the founders and CEOs of different chains ranging from 3 to 200 locations and spill some insights and secrets behind their businesses. 

Panelists:
Bill Phelps: He is the CEO of Daves Hot Chicken, a 200-location hot chicken chain, and Co-Founder/CEO of Wretzels Pretzels, a 305-location pretzel chain. He is also the founding investor of Blaze Pizza, a 300-location Pizza chain.

Arman Oganesyan:  Arman is one of the four founders of Daves Hot Chicken started the business in a parking lot with only a $900 investment and took it from a single stand to a restaurant in 6 months and in 3 years; it is now expanding to 200+ locations across 17 states.

Desi Saran: He is the founder of Sweetberry, a 17-location acai bowl/poke bowl chain on the east coast that originated in New Jersey. He is also the Co-Founder of Brandswaggin, a full-service web development agency that specializes in Shopify, wix, and WordPress.  

Arthur Arushyan: He is the CEO of Pokitomik, a  Poke chain that started 2 years ago specializing in Hot Cheetos, Poke Burritos, Nachos, and Wonton Poke Tacos. Now the chain is expanding to three locations, with one in Glendale, North Hollywood, and Simi Valley.


Let's Scale: From one location to food Powerhouse

Greg Autry is is an American space policy expert, educator, entrepreneur and author. He serves as Chair of the Safety Working Group on the COMSTAC. He was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship in Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Prior to that, he served as an adjunct professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at the Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine.

Business Careers in Space with Nasa CFO Nominee, Greg Autry

The GCC Business Club's Women in Business Event was a vibrant gathering that celebrated and supported women's achievements in the business world. Attendees engaged in networking, workshops, and inspiring talks by successful women leaders. The event showcased women-owned businesses and offered mentorship opportunities, fostering a supportive environment for professional growth and empowerment.






GCC Women in Business

The GCC Business Club Pitchfest is an exciting and highly anticipated event that brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors. This event provides a platform for GCC students to showcase their ideas, products, and services to a panel of esteemed judges and potential investors.

During the Pitchfest, participants have the opportunity to present their business concepts through concise and compelling pitches, highlighting their unique value propositions, market potential, and growth strategies. The event aims to foster networking, collaboration, and growth within Glendale's business community.

The judging panel consists of experienced industry professionals, venture capitalists, and successful entrepreneurs who provide valuable feedback and insights to the participants. They evaluate the pitches based on various criteria such as innovation, market viability, scalability, and the overall potential for success.

Apart from the competition aspect, the GCC Business Club Pitchfest offers valuable networking opportunities for attendees, enabling them to connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and potential partners or clients. It serves as a platform to exchange ideas, gain exposure, and foster relationships that can lead to future collaborations and business opportunities.

Bringing students and business together at GCC.

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Snapchat Academy Mixer

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