On November 20, 2025, West 天涯社区 College welcomed two esteemed professionals鈥擬ichael Bryant, CPA, Partner at BryMar CPAs, and M. Shah, MBA, MBT, CPA, Shareholder at Stevens, Sloan & Shah CPAs鈥攚ho illuminated the dynamic and rewarding field of accounting. The speakers emphasized the critical role CPAs play in helping businesses and individuals navigate their financial landscapes to achieve their goals.
Adding to the excitement of the event, Dr. Shaowen Hua from California State University, Monterey Bay鈥檚 Accounting Program shared a groundbreaking announcement: CSU Monterey Bay will launch a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting in Fall 2025. This new offering will make CSU Monterey Bay the third campus, out of 23 in the Cal State system, to provide a bachelor鈥檚 degree fully dedicated to accounting.
The speakers painted a vivid picture of accounting as a 鈥減eople profession,鈥� emphasizing that whether you work in audit, tax, or consulting, the core of the job is solving people鈥檚 problems. They also tackled the hot topic of artificial intelligence in the profession. While acknowledging AI's growing presence, they reassured the audience that accountants won鈥檛 be replaced鈥攂ecause the work requires not only intellect but also empathy and human judgment. As one speaker aptly put it, AI will allow accountants to become 鈥渢he laziest smart people,鈥� enhancing efficiency without replacing the need for skilled professionals.
To prepare for success in the field, the speakers encouraged students to broaden their horizons by taking psychology and communication classes in addition to mastering technical accounting skills. When it comes to landing a job, they advised students to create polished LinkedIn profiles, leverage school networking opportunities, and always send resumes as PDFs (and remember to triple-check for typos).
Students walked away not only inspired by the wisdom shared but also entertained by the lively personality and banter of the speakers, making the event a memorable and motivational experience for all who attended.
From November 14-16, West 天涯社区 College students attended the prestigious SURGE Expo at Stanford University, an event designed to empower student entrepreneurs as they embark on their business journeys. The expo provided invaluable opportunities to explore essential tools, hear from successful student business owners, and connect with like-minded peers to build a supportive entrepreneurial network.
The event featured dynamic workshops covering topics such as e-commerce, digital marketing, and supporting student-run businesses, equipping participants with practical skills to launch and grow their ventures. Attendees also rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on Data-thon sponsored by Google and Data Commons, where they collaborated across disciplines to tackle real-world business challenges.
In addition to the workshops and activities, students gained inspiration and insights through panel discussions with venture capitalists and founders of successful startups. The highlight of the event was the lineup of keynote speakers, including renowned marketer Seth Godin and entrepreneur Mark Cuban. Students were thrilled to engage in a 30-minute Q&A session with the Shark Tank star, gaining direct advice from one of the best in the business.
This transformative experience left students energized and equipped with the tools and connections to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
West 天涯社区 students had the incredible opportunity to participate to the 2024 Two-Year Bridge Symposium supported by the Teachers of Accounting at Two-Year Colleges (TACTYC) and organized by the American Accounting Association with sponsorship from Deloitte , PwC and the Center for Audit Quality.
The event, held on November 8 at the PwC office in San Jose, provided valuable insights into accounting careers and the evolving landscape of the profession.
Students were delighted to hear from experienced professionals and an eloquent keynote speaker Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor who shared her journey, challenges, and strategies for achieving career goals. A recurring theme was the importance of staying determined and leveraging the right resources to be prepared for the ever-changing global market.
The symposium also emphasized the growing demand for skilled accountants and CPAs. As businesses continue to adapt to technological advancements like AI, it was inspiring to hear that accounting will always play a crucial role in driving strategic decision-making, ensuring financial integrity, and maintaining compliance. AI might enhance our tools, but the human expertise of accountants remains irreplaceable.
Students from West 天涯社区鈥檚 Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) had an exciting opportunity to visit UC Santa Cruz, including the newly established Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED). During the tour, they met with CIED Director Nada Miljkovi膰 and Faculty Manager Manel Camps, who shared insights into the center鈥檚 offerings, including specialized courses, certificates, and comprehensive support for aspiring entrepreneurs. Our students also connected with current CIED students and alumni, gaining valuable perspectives. Following the presentation, they enjoyed a tour of the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus. It was a fantastic day and an inspiring experience for everyone involved!
Join us for an exclusive session with Allie Florea who has built a successful career sourcing her own deals, coaching fellow sales reps, and is currently an account executive at Dasera, a fast-growing data security startup. With extensive experience climbing the sales ranks at leading cybersecurity startups, she is passionate about mentoring and inspiring the next generation of sales leaders.
Allie shared valuable insights to help students make a strong impression in their first sales interview. She suggests starting now by getting familiar with a sales framework, such as MEDDIC or BANT, reading influential sales books like Gap Selling or The Qualified Sales Leader, and honing essential listening and communication skills. These steps can give aspiring sales professionals a solid foundation for success.
Guest Speakers
- Craig Tatlonghari | Partner, Tax Services
- Jennifer Rosa | Senior Associate, Business Risk Consulting
- Nic Enriquez | Project Manager, Culture Diversity & Inclusion鈥擬arket Strategy
- Ian Kaminsky | Business Analyst, Audit Technology
From Campus to Corporate
CSU Monterey Bay Alumni share Their adventures in Accounting.
Guest Speakers
- Christopher Riggin | Senior Tax Consultant, Deloitte | Fresno City College, 2016 | CSU Monterey Bay, 2018 | Master of Professional | Accountancy, UC Davis, 2019
- Larissa Lea | Financial Advisor, Pence Financial Group | Monterey Peninsula College, 2019 | CSU Monterey Bay, 2022
How to Market Your Business
Need some tips with marketing or connecting with new business contacts? Then come hear from marketing and b2b social media expert, Gale Daikoku. Gale currently works as the Director of Global Influencer Marketing for SAP and has spent over 20 years in the tech/marketing field.
How to Patent Your Idea
Brent Fairbanks is a Primary Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with a focus on data processing of sensor measurements, where the sensor systems include seismic exploration, motion tracking, device location, and determining battery charge levels. He serves as an Assistant Outreach Coordinator for the Western Regional Office, supporting programs for inventors, entrepreneurs, and other communities in the western United States along with K-12 STEM activities. Brent has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and joined the USPTO in 2016 after a prior career of developing Electronic Design Automation software for the semiconductor industry.
How to Write a Business Plan
Find out how to make a plan for your new business!
The E-Center welcomes Mark Tolliver, former CEO of Planet and Palamida.
Dream It! Make It! Series
Summary: Ann & Mary started their 鈥榩assion business鈥� of finding homes for adult cats 8 years ago. They are located in downtown San Jose and have cultivated a strong community of cat lovers and dedicated volunteers. They have 7 paid employees, 200 volunteers, 70 foster homes and have facilitated over 1,200 cat adoptions.
Tips & Recommendations for Aspiring Entrepreneurs from Ann & Mary:
- Take a risk!
- Don鈥檛 underestimate print publicity -the two cite one of the reasons for their growth due to receiving early and regular, free, print publicity of their organization.
- Have a good team -you can鈥檛 do everything on your own. If you want sustained growth, make sure you build a good team.
- Pay your people -if you want good people, expect to pay them well. Those costs should be part of your budget, don鈥檛 try to skimp in this area.
- Ask for money -don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for money. You believe in your cause deeply so don鈥檛 feel bad fundraising so you can keep it going.
- Be clear on your mission -your mission is what brings people in, so, be clear on it. This will drive everything you do and if it isn鈥檛 clear you will inevitably suffer from 鈥榮cope creep鈥�.
- Build a good website -here鈥檚 another area where you may need to pay for professional services. A website is often the first thing prospective patrons or employees see, so make sure it is good. Have lots of pictures as well (so helpful when it comes to placing cats in good homes:)
- Build community partnerships -your community is there to support you so make sure you have strong relationships with them.
- Form follows function -This means that the purpose of a space should be the starting point for its design. For example, if you want to build a community then have a large table in the center of the space to allow for gathering as opposed to individual smaller tables.
- Volunteer! If you are thinking of starting a non-profit (or a 鈥減assion business鈥� as Ann prefers to call it), consider volunteering at a similar organization first. This way you can learn the details of the operations.
Summary: Paragon Body is a nutrition, corporate wellness, and personal fitness company. Jordan defines entrepreneurship as 鈥渓earn as you go鈥�. He started Paragon Body in 2016 and now has 11 employees & contractors, works with about a dozen corporate clients, and has recently moved to a bigger location. Jordan stresses the importance of establishing core values for one鈥檚 business and to hire accordingly. Jordan continues with the values of helping individuals achieve a balanced, healthy lifestyle in the workplace, at home, and in the community.
Tips & Recommendations for Aspiring Entrepreneurs from Jordan
- Avoid downward comparisons 鈥� avoid the habit of comparing yourself to others. Instead, think of something that you started out doing as a beginner and have now become an expert in. Look how far you have come to accomplish that, be grateful for where you started and where you are now.
- Set goals -it is important in your personal and professional lives to set goals. This makes you more likely to reach those goals, writing them down increases that likelihood even more!
- The importance of mindset -your mindset is energy and a superpower. Make the choice to not dwell on the past but look forward to the future with positive energy.
- Identify your mentors- list 3 people in your life that can provide knowledge and insight and use them!
- Get organized -use a calendar app to help you keep your schedule in order. Jordan loves google calendar.
- Never burn bridges -always do good by people
- Ask for what you need -Jordan says that, after all, 鈥渃losed mouths never get fed鈥�.
- Book recommendations-
- 鈥溾�� by Grant Sabatier
- 鈥溾�� by Steven Bartlett
Brooke Ramirez | Bombshell Boutique
is a women鈥檚 clothing and accessories boutique, located in Campbell California. The owners, a Mother-Daughter duo, Brooke and Jo Ellen Ramirez, opened the doors in 2006. The boutique offers affordable, trendy, and contemporary items for Bombshells of all ages and offers a personal shopping experience to everyone who walks in the door. Not only do they pride themselves on excellent customer service, they also believe in giving back. The shop holds several fundraisers each year for organizations both big and small. The owner is also active in their efforts to bring the community together, through volunteering and events.
Tammy Liu and David MacGregor-Scholes | Redemption
is a lifestyle boutique dedicated to California makers creating small batch & sustainable goods, locally owned and operated by a husband/wife team with a shared love of art, slow fashion, and our planet. Their passions for conscious consumerism and community is what inspired them to open Redemption in 2015. The belief is that we cast a vote for the world we want with every dollar and hoped to curate a space for the like-minded. From apothecary to apparel, skincare, accessories, to art and home decor, Redemption stocks a wide range of products, all locally made by artists and small businesses right here in our Golden State!
Tips & Recommendations for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Find your cheerleader 鈥� starting a business can be scary, so having that person in your corner that believes in you and supports you is invaluable!
- Be true to your core values 鈥� the business owners all stated that they believe their longevity, staying afloat during covid, and success have been due to the fact that they stay true to their core values, whether it is sourcing from local makers or finding affordable suppliers, don鈥檛 compromise on what鈥檚 important to you.
- Don鈥檛 go into debt to start your business 鈥� both owners started with their savings or what they could get from family. Brooke recommends not spending a lot on the look of your store, a common mistake a lot of new retail owners make. Spend it smartly!
- Get professional help early 鈥� both entrepreneurs mentioned they got professional help (accounting, legal, etc.) early on in starting their businesses. They recommend not skimping on this area, though many will be tempted to do it on their own to keep costs down, these are the areas you don鈥檛 want to shortcut.
- Biggest cost 鈥� your biggest cost will be, and should be, inventory.
- Biggest challenge 鈥� the biggest ongoing challenge you鈥檒l face is hiring quality employees.
- Favorite quote 鈥� 鈥淥nce you know your worth, you鈥檒l stop giving discounts.鈥� from Brooke R.