The Fort Hays State University (FHSU) fall Entrepreneur Direct Speaker Series will feature three of the university's graduates who have started a variety of innovative businesses. The Entrepreneur Direct Presentation will be held November 17, 10:30-1145 a.m. in the Eagle Communication Hall of the Robbins Center. Students, faculty, staff, and the community are invited to this free event.

Tonja Vallin, MBA grad 2000, is the co-owner of Working Girls Design which designs, creates, and sells cards, books and gifts nationally. Working Girl products can be found in locations ranging from unique boutique shops to SteinMart and Wal-Mart. Working Girls Design has exceeded $8 million in sales. Previously, Vallin worked in the Las Vegas real estate world and as the first Director of Academic Marketing at FHSU.

Jeremy Horn, BBA Finance grad 2004, is the co-founder of the Wichita Brewing Company a microbrewery with two locations in Wichita. The Wichita Brewing Company is committed to making a great hand crafted beer and quality wood fired pizzas. Additionally, Horn is Vice President-Investments at American Underwriters Life Insurance Company in Wichita, Managing Partner of WEB Investment Group, LLC, and Managing Member of Horn and Herrs Holdings, LLC.

Paul Kraus, BFA Art/Graphic Design 1996, is Managing Partner and Founder at Saltbox Studio in Boulder, Colorado which designs customer experiences optimized within the client's technological constraints. Saltbox Studio has created unique applications powered by technology platforms including Salesforce.com, SAP, Oracle Cloud, and home grown systems. Kraus has experience working in other startup and young businesses including Datu Health, Appirio, and Wall Street on Demand. Upon graduation from FHSU, Kraus worked for Giant Step - a Leo Burnett Company.

Entrepreneur Direct is a speaker series that features successful entrepreneurs in an informal setting accessible to students, faculty, and the public. The program is intended to connect students with successful entrepreneurs who have stories and advice to share. A panel asks questions about entrepreneurship and encourage questions and interaction with the audience.