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Spring 2023 Simpkins Speaker Series: Bill Rancic
What a great morning with Bill Rancic — entrepreneur, best-selling author, restaurateur, and the first winner of NBC's "The Apprentice." His topic: "From Apprentice to Visionary: How to Innovate in Business and Life," was a crowd pleaser.
- Read the post-event news story
- View the event Flickr Photo Album
- Watch: YouTube Replay Through March 16th
From washing boats in college to operating a million-dollar business and restaurant empire, motivational speaker and media personality Bill Rancic will share innovative life and business tips at this on-campus event that's open to the public. Read more about Bill's background below.
The Simpkins Speaker Series is named after Bernard Simpkins, a highly successful entrepreneur and Brevard County business leader who established the sessions that have brought some of the nation’s top business innovators to EFSC.
All presentations are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. The series also includes the presentation of the Bernie W. Simpkins Scholarship to EFSC students with an entrepreneurial focus. For questions about the series and Simpkins scholarship, call 321-433-7055.
Read Bill Rancic's Biography
After bursting on to the scene as NBC’s first Apprentice, Bill Rancic has traveled to every part of the globe, sharing his life experiences and business acumen with tens of thousands of leaders, businesses and organizations on a variety of important topics.
His expertise ranges from why some companies thrive in chaos — and others don't — to the leadership behaviors needed in a world beset by turbulence, uncertainty and dramatic change.
What makes Bill so unique is that he is both a student and teacher of leadership and has a healthy obsession with what makes great companies and leaders tick.
Having invested nearly two decades living the topic, Rancic has authored four books. These include New York Times best-seller You’re Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life, which examines how some companies and leaders make the leap to superior results; the enduring classic Beyond the Lemonade Stand which teaches young people and empowers them with the value of both money and positive self image. In addition, Rancic co-authored I Do... Now What? with celebrity wife Giuliana Rancic where they share secrets to a supportive love and true partnership in marriage. He also just penned his first novel, First Light.
Driven by a relentless curiosity, Rancic really began his business journey when he graduated cum laude from Loyola University. He then went on to become a successful entrepreneur when he founded a monthly online subscription-based retailer. Since that time, he has inspired millions of people around the globe to work towards reaching their full potential, both in business and in their personal lives. He is currently coowner of the RPM Restaurant Group and the Giuliana Prosecco.
Rancic appears regularly on numerous daytime broadcast and cable television programs such as Today, The View, Rachael Ray, Steve Harvey and various CNBC programs.
He currently resides in Chicago with his wife Giuliana and son Duke.
Learn More About the Simpkins Speaker Series
The Simpkins Speaker Series was endowed by Entrepreneur Bernard W. Simpkins to teach the fundamentals and success of entrepreneurship. The free one-hour seminars, held on the campuses of Eastern Florida State College or online, bring entrepreneurs to Brevard County to speak about their challenges and triumphs along their journey to economic success through innovative ideas. They also offer insight into today’s economic trends.
Since its inception, the lectures, which are held each spring and fall, have become a popular event for faculty, students, and business owners in Brevard County and surrounding areas. The seminars allow entrepreneurs to share how they started, what prompted them to become an entrepreneur, the characteristics and traits of an entrepreneur, and important decisions that enable entrepreneurs to have success.
Mr. Simpkins was an entrepreneur who worked in the petroleum business with convenience stores and owned a Toyota automobile dealership, a Goodyear tire distributorship, and a Thrifty franchise car rental. Until his death in October 2020, Mr. Simpkins owned S & S Enterprises, Inc., based in Cocoa, Florida.
Bernie Simpkins once said, “Entrepreneurship is an open road to success for those who chose to invest hard work and determination. Saving what you earn to establish a beginning is a key to success."
His life embodied that philosophy, and Mr. Simpkins' generosity to Eastern Florida State College throughout his life is greatly appreciated.
In March 2000, Mr. Simpkins donated $250,000 to the college to establish an endowment known as the Business Seminar for Entrepreneurial Development. In 2007, Mr. Simpkins became the college’s first $1 million donor for the development of an entrepreneurial curriculum program.
Past Speakers
The Simpkins Speaker Series has included a who's who of the business world, beginning with Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy when the series began in November 2001.
Here's the list of those who has shared their wisdom through the series, beginning with the most recent speakers. When available, the speaker's name is linked to a news story about the event.
Pegine, Business Leadership Expert and Author
Winston E. Scott, Astronaut & U.S. Navy Captain (Retired)
Harris Rosen, President & COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts
Daymond John, Founder/CEO of FUBU, Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, Star of ABC's Shark Tank and CEO of The Shark Group.
Hyatt Brown, Chairman, Brown & Brown, Inc.
Suneera Madhani, Founder, Stax by Fattmerchant
Charles Clark, Motivational Speaker & World-Class Athlete
Albert Manero, Co-Founder & President, Limbitless Solutions
Wes Henderson, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Angel’s Envy
Dr. Delicia Haynes, Founder & CEO, Family First Health Center
Chris and Elaine Larsen, Founders, Larsen Motorsports, Inc.
Chris Gilpin, Founder & CEO, SignalVault
Brant Menswar, Leadership Speaker, Author, Performance Coach
Jim Stovall, Motivational Speaker, Author, Movie Producer
Danny McKnight, U.S. Army (Ret.), Decorated Army Range
F. Scott Moody, Co-founder & CEO, K4Connect
Mike Curb, Former Lieutenant Governor of California
Joseph Duda, Former CEO & President, DUDA Corp
David W. Anderson, Founder, Famous Dave's of America
Carol Craig, Founder & CEO, Craig Technologies
Andy Smith, Founder & President, Houlihan Capital
Heidi Ganahl, Founder, Camp Bow Wow
Cameron Johnson, Author You Call the Shots
Warren Brown, Founder, Cake Love
Jeffrey C. Piersall, President & Co-Founder, Space Coast Magazine
John L. Herman Jr., Author The Innkeeper Tales, Hermanisms
Mary E. Davis, Author The Entrepreneurial Mom
Don Shula, Miami Dolphins Coach & Founder, Don Shula Steakhouse
Gale Lemerand, Founder, Gale Industries
Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic
Cynthia Kersey, President, Unstoppable Enterprises
Wally Amos, Founder, Famous Amos Cookies
Toni Jennings, Former Florida Lieutenant Governor
Joe R. Lee, Former Chairman of the Board, Darden Restaurants
Charles Clemente, CEO, Redgate/America Online
Al Neuharth, Founder, USA Today
Steadman Graham, Chairman & CEO, S. Grahamn & Associates
Howard Bo Callaway, Founder, Callaway Gardens
Truett Cathy, Founder & CEO, Chick-Fil-A
Speaker Series Founder
Bernie Simpkins, Entrepreneur
The Simpkins Speaker Series was endowed by Bernie Simpkins to highlight the fundamentals
and successes of entrepreneurship. Our condolences to the family and friends of series
founder Bernie Simpkins, who passed away on October 16, 2020.