Entrepreneur, investor and technology executive Eric Hartz challenged Oglethorpe students this week to embrace uncertainty, think beyond traditional career paths and look for opportunities others might overlook during the university’s fall Mack A. Rikard Lecture.
Hartz, who has founded, scaled and invested in technology companies throughout his career, joined Stephen Craft, Ph.D., dean of the Hammack School of Business, for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and the future of technology. Drawing from his experiences building businesses and advising startups, Hartz offered students a candid look at how opportunities are discovered, evaluated and transformed into successful ventures, including the ups, downs and personal impacts.
Throughout the discussion, Hartz encouraged students to recognize possibilities beyond conventional expectations and established paths.
“What made Eric’s message so valuable is that he showed students how entrepreneurship is really a way of thinking,” said Craft. “Whether you’re launching a company, leading an organization or building a career, success often comes from recognizing opportunities that others haven’t yet seen.”
That perspective shaped much of Hartz’s advice to students preparing to enter the workforce. While technical knowledge remains important, he emphasized the value of understanding both people and organizations.
“Have empathy for the people you work with,” Hartz said. “And learn how money moves through an organization. If you can follow the flow of revenue and expenses, you begin to understand how a business really works.”
Hartz also encouraged students to reject the notion that successful careers unfold according to a carefully charted plan.
“Many young professionals think success is always up and to the right,” Hartz said. “In reality, it’s complicated and unpredictable. You’re going to fall flat at times. You’ve got to be willing to jump into the white space, embrace new opportunities and not assume every next move has to be a step up.”
The conversation explored how entrepreneurs identify promising ideas and determine whether they can become viable businesses. Hartz described a framework he uses to evaluate opportunities, focusing not only on whether a concept works, but whether it is economically viable, scalable and supported by a team capable of executing the vision.
Those discussions naturally led to a broader conversation about the future. Despite rapid technological change and ongoing disruption across industries, Hartz expressed optimism about the opportunities ahead.
“Technology can create more time, more learning opportunities and more abundance,” Hartz said. “What gives me confidence is the quality of the people working to solve these problems.”
While Hartz acknowledged that setbacks are inevitable for entrepreneurs and professionals alike, he encouraged students to view challenges as part of the process rather than signs of failure.
“You will fail. It will hurt,” Hartz said. “But that’s part of the process. The important thing is getting back up, learning from it and continuing to move forward.”
The Rikard Lecture series brings accomplished business leaders to campus to share real-world perspectives with students and connect classroom learning to the opportunities and challenges shaping today’s economy. For students in attendance, Hartz’s message was clear: stay curious, remain open to unexpected possibilities and be willing to explore where new opportunities might emerge.
About the Mack A. Rikard Lecture Series
The Mack A. Rikard Lecture Series introduces Oglethorpe University students to current issues in business through conversations with accomplished business and civic leaders. Established in 1991 and hosted by the Hammack School of Business, the series has featured speakers from organizations including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Chick-fil-A, IBM and the New York Stock Exchange.
Learn more about the Rikard Lecture Series
About the Hammack School of Business
The Hammack School of Business at Oglethorpe University prepares students to lead in a rapidly changing global economy through an academically rigorous, relationship-driven educational experience. Students benefit from small class sizes, close mentorship from faculty, hands-on learning opportunities and direct engagement with Atlanta’s business community. The school offers undergraduate programs in business administration, accounting and economics, while emphasizing ethical leadership, critical thinking, communication and professional development.
