SYNERGY

SOLUTIONS PARTNERS LLC

A Leadership and Growth Solution
"We connect and collaborate with organizations to produce an effect different or greater than when we first met."


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DREAMS TO LAUNCH TAKES OFF AT CITY COLLEGE

Entrepreneurs and educators empower aspiring business owners

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, February 14, 2018 —The Dreams To Launch

MeetUp group of Fort Lauderdale has joined forces with City College - Fort

Lauderdale Campus to provide an extended learning experience for their students and a

learning spacing for Dreams to Launch members starting February 2018. Yamilette

Williams, Ed. D. aka "Dr. Yam", owner of Synergy Solutions Partners. This leadership

and growth solution firm of Florida and certified John Maxwell Team coach, speaker,

and trainer has spearheaded this collaborative initiative with Karen L. Killen, MBA,

Ph.D., Business Department Chair and Professor Ramon Fernandez-Rubio, MS

Accounting, MS Taxation of City College.

Dr. Yam shared that their partnership grew out of a kick-off event hosted by the Dream

To Launch team (Yamilette Williams and Belinda Ponder) back in December at the

Broward County Main Library Creation Station, of which she also has a partnership.

Professor Fernandez-Rubio became away of the event posted on Eventbrite by librarian

and Creation Station coordinator, Frank Pennetti and thought it was an excellent

opportunity for his students. About six students attended along with himself joined ten

others participants, and all thought the experience was very positive. From there the

conversation between Ramon, Karen, and Yamilette evolved. Professor Fernandez-

Rubio and Dr. Killen are both firm believers that they are not just preparing students to

just enter the workforce as employees but as business owners as well.

Dreams To Launch is an aspiring solo/entrepreneurship support system started by the two

friends since high school, Yamilette Williams (entrepreneur) and Belinda Ponder

(solopreneur). They started this group to offer a support and learning system for those

dreaming of going into business for themselves. Most importantly it is an opportunity to

plug into any of their engagement opportunities that occur regularly; wherever an

individual is in the process of getting to their business launch. “Our goal,” says Dr. Yam

“is that we want to make it fun and doable offering seminars/work sessions, vision board

gatherings, ask the expert/entrepreneurs open mic nights, masterminds, group coaching

(for accountability) and of course launch celebrations. And once a business launches,

owners shift to a 1:1 coaching program as a gradual release process to ensure focus and

success as the business operationalizes.

Students attending City College earn both associate and bachelor degrees led by industry-

experienced instructors who guide and equip them in the curriculum such as

management, accounting, project management within their business department. Also, a

variety of healthcare, media, and legal program offerings are available.

“We have designed events based on our team’s experiences and some experiences we

wish we had,” says Dr. Yam. Throughout this learning process, John Maxwell leadership

principles are weaved in to guide groupthink and discourse. The Ask The

Expert/Entrepreneur sessions will be hosted at the City College campus as a part of their

Entrepreneurship Club where their mission is to provide entrepreneurial students at City

College the ability to connect with other entrepreneurial students and with practicing

entrepreneurs from the area. Sessions are open to those interested “dream launchers” via

the Dreams to Launch Meetup website.

Local community agencies, entrepreneurs and industry experts from near and far

participate in this “pay it forward” initiative, will offer their perspective through an

interview dialogue led by Dream to Launch team leads Williams and Ponder. Their

members can learn from those that have been down that road already - thus freeing or

minimizing them from potential frustration. Not to mention students and members will

meet like-minded individuals and make new friends. Next Tuesday, February 20, at 7 pm

Dr. Williams will be City College’s motivational speaker for their Entrepreneurship Club,

and the next Ask the Expert/Entrepreneur event will be on Thursday, March 8 at 7 pm in

the City College Media Center. If you have a dream of starting a business yourself, visit

www.meetup.com/dreams-to-launch for group details. Webinars will also run so dream

launchers can participate from the comfort of their mobile device.

Dr. Killen recognizes that learning occurs beyond their classroom walls and this

partnership will provide the City College students an outlet that she hopes will build their

confidence and prepare them as they get closer to graduation. “There is nothing more

satisfying than being your own boss,” says Dr. Yam. “Join us and take your dream to

launch! All dreams welcome!”

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Synergy Solutions Partners is a woman-owned leadership

and growth solution firm based in Florida since 2014.

Partners specialize in coaching, training, speaking and youth

development. "We connect and collaborate with organizations

to produce an effect different or greater than when we first met." Our passion is working

with aspiring entrepreneurs, corporate, not-for-profit and K12 organizations nationally.

New members are invited to join www.meetup.com/dreams-to-launch.

About City College - The student experience at City

College extends well beyond the classroom. City College

offers our students multiple opportunities to grow new

friendships, explore student/professor mentorships, and achieve the education they desire

to be successful in their field of study. Students have the ability to contribute to faculty

research, take part in international programs and experience hands-on training from top

professors in Florida.

For further information, please contact

Yamilette Williams, Ed. D.

info@synergysolutions.info 954-899-0577

www.meetup.com/dreams-to-launch

Karen L. Killen, MBA, PhD

kkillen@citycollege.edu 954-492-5353 x2230

City College-Fort Lauderdale Campus

2000 W. Commercial Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

http://citycollegeflorida.com/ft-lauderdale/

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