Memphis, Tenn., – Professional basketball standout Shane Battier will participate in a franchising discussion with students at the University of Houston Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Wednesday, March 21. The center is hosting a student forum on franchising opportunities featuring guest speakers Bob Llorente and David Messenger, both of ServiceMaster Clean, and Battier.
Battier, a spokesperson for ServiceMaster Clean since 2005, is working closely with the national franchise company on a diversity initiative to widen the door for those interested in being their own boss. The ServiceMaster Clean Battier Scholarship Program provides a unique opportunity for U.S. residents interested in owning their own janitorial and commercial cleaning franchise to overcome some of the barriers that might limit the applicant pool, including the minimum financial investment usually required.
University of Houston students interested in owning their own business have the unique opportunity to be involved with the Bauer College of Business and its Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. With much of the learning geared towards starting and operating their own business venture upon graduation, students receive first-hand knowledge of the risks and rewards of being their own boss.
Students who are interested in learning about the franchising business model are invited to attend the forum on Wednesday, March 21, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. in Executive MBA Suite 365 at Melcher Hall in the Bauer College of Business. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
More information on the ServiceMaster Clean® Battier Scholarship Program can be found at www.ownafranchise.com/battierprogram or by calling 800-230-2360.
About ServiceMaster Clean
ServiceMaster Clean is a member of the ServiceMaster Family of Brands. ServiceMaster currently serves residential and commercial customers through a network of over 4,500 company-owned locations and franchised licenses. The Company’s brands include TruGreen ChemLawn®, TruGreen LandCare®, Terminix®, American Home Shield®, InStar® Services Group, ServiceMaster Clean®, Merry Maids®, Furniture Medic®, and AmeriSpec®. The core services of the Company include lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, home warranties, disaster response and reconstruction, cleaning and disaster restoration, house cleaning, furniture repair, and home inspection.
About Shane Battier
Selected sixth by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft Battier was traded to the Houston Rockets in July 2006. Battier won numerous awards throughout his collegiate career at Duke and in 2001 was named the National Player of the Year and received the Naismith and Wooden Awards. Battier joined the Rockets after five seasons in Memphis and is a member of the USA Basketball squad to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in games played (396) and steals (507). He has averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game over his career. Last season, he knocked down 48.8 percent of shots, including 39.4 percent of his three-point attempts. He is currently averaging 10.6 points per game, 4.10 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game and ranks #11 in the NBA is three-point field-goal percentage (.425)
About University of Houston’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
University of Houston and Bauer College's Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) has led the Entrepreneurial charge in Houston! The Center is a resource base for Entrepreneurs and has received state approval to grant a BBA in Entrepreneurship through the Bauer College of Business. The Center draws upon Houston's vast pool of entrepreneurial talent to provide an intensive program that combines academic rigor with a "real world" CEO perspective. Students are team taught by faculty and entrepreneurs, as well as receiving further support and training from their chosen mentor. CEI has an Entrepreneurship Degree Program and Entrepreneurship Certificate Program. CEI also presents a Distinguished Speakers Series where renowned guest speakers who are highly successful business owners and leaders. Thirty-eight percent of CEI graduates launch new ventures during the program or within one year of graduation.
