San Antonio Start Up Week (SASW) hosted Daniel Lubetzky, class of ‘90, a star “Shark” from ABC’s “Shark Tank” and founder of KIND Snacks. SASW is a five-day conference in San Antonio that promotes entrepreneurship through workshops, educational events and pitch competitions. This year, Lubetzky headlined the event, giving the keynote speech on Oct. 15 at the Embassy Suites River Walk location. The speech was attended by San Antonio locals interested in entrepreneurship, as well as Trinity students and alumni such as Jim Dicke III.
As a partner with SASW, Trinity President Vanessa Beasley introduced Lubetzky to the audience. She gave remarks about the importance of the entrepreneurial impulse, stating that the concepts of innovation and ideation are central to the education offered at Trinity.
“We also know that our greatest, biggest and most important proof point in the world after our students receive that education is, in fact, our alumni,” Beasley said. “Daniel exemplifies the transformative power of entrepreneurship.”
Lubetzky lectured to the audience on the importance of critical thinking and taking initiative in the entrepreneurial world. He said that Trinity taught him many of these values because he wasn’t intellectually curious until he started at the school, and that he took every opportunity the university offered.
“I joined every club, I took every class and I learned to play the piano as a 19-year-old, or do all sorts of things,” Lubetzky said. “What’s cool about a liberal arts education is that it helps you. I took several philosophy courses that I’m 100% certain helped me be who I am today, to question things, to be a critical thinker.”
Lubetzsky talked about the many pitfalls and failures that led to his billion-dollar KIND company, saying that even though it was sad at times, it was also an incredible experience.
“I felt like I was making a difference, bringing people together. I was building something I loved. What’s cool about entrepreneurship? It was my journey,” Lubetzky said.
KIND bars are available at every store on Trinity’s campus, and can be found in grocery stores and gas stations around the country. “Being KIND to others,” the core statement of the KIND enterprise, is an important aspect of building a business, according to Lubetzky.
Lubetzky’s final statements encouraged students to use school and college to their advantage. He said that students should learn to be critical thinkers, question things and be skeptical.
