30,000 push-ups bring in $20,000 for young entrepreneurs

The first annual Push for Entrepreneurship, a fundraiser drenched in sweat equity to benefit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, was held recently at Fairfield University.

Twenty-five participants completed more than 30,000 push-ups during the two-hour event that raised more than $20,000 to teach students about starting their own businesses.

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship is a worldwide nonprofit dedicated to teaching youths from low-income neighborhoods about starting their own businesses and developing entrepreneurial mindsets. The nonprofit trains and certifies teachers who go on to instruct students on how to write and then present a business plan. All of the proceeds from Push for Entrepreneurship event were dedicated to the Fairchester chapter of the nonprofit, which serves Westchester and Fairfield counties.

Michael Carter, PFE”™s founder and a Southport-based investment banker, said, “There are a lot of similarities between starting a business and doing two hours of pushing: both are extraordinarily hard and mentally challenging; both endeavors take 100 percent commitment and a winning attitude. Preparation, practice and planning are key. And most people will say you are crazy.”

Participants included men and women ranging in age from 6 to 61. Three women completed 4,000 push-ups. In a display of raw determination, Gavin Donaldson, age 6, did 600 push-ups in an hour.

Shawn Osborne, CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, offered the first push-up and said “We are excited to join forces with Push for Entrepreneurship. This event will help raise the awareness around NFTE”™s mission to help kids from under-resourced neighborhoods like Bridgeport to recognize business opportunities and plan for successful futures.”

Dean Don Gibson of the Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University said, “The energy in the room was terrific and the support for entrepreneurship in this region is critical to supporting students”™ new ideas for businesses.”

Push for Entrepreneurship”™s sponsors included Fairfield University”™s business incubator, Fairfield Accelerator & Mentoring Enterprise, and its operators, Black Stag Consulting, the law firm Shipman & Goodwin, the accounting firm Citrin Cooperman and Mental Grit Fitness.

For more information, contact Michael Carter at 203-856-9224 or visit PFE”™s website, pushforentrepreneurship.com.