Business Education

FTCC welcomes new Director of Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Small Business

By Staff Report, posted 2 years ago
Ricardo “Rico” Murphy - Photo provided by FTCC

Fayetteville Technical Community College welcomes Ricardo “Rico” Murphy as Director of the College’s Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Small Business (CIESB).

Murphy holds a Master of Business Administration from Capella University and a Bachelor of Arts in General Music from Fayetteville State University, reflecting his diverse skill set, passion for business and creativity, and continuous personal growth.

Murphy has personal experience with the transformative power of education and entrepreneurship. After completing FTCC's auto dealers course, he opened his own used car dealership. He owns an ice cream truck business, Cooler Than Cold, LLC, that began with the vision of focusing on investing in the youth and the community. 

As a small business owner with a diverse portfolio and over a decade of experience, Murphy has hands-on expertise in startups, management, human resources, marketing, grants and funding, profit and loss analysis, and other critical aspects of business operations. Coupled with his customer service skills, ability to build strong relationships and unwavering commitment to the community, he will be an asset for entrepreneurs in Cumberland county who need support in turning their concepts into reality.

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal included a feature story about FTCC’s CIESB in its recent issue focused on education and entrepreneurship. To read that article click here.

For information about the CIESB, visit https://www.faytechcc.edu/center-innovation-entrepreneurship/

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

Germène's Home Kitchen & Bakery now open

A family affair: Along with a full staff, Owner Eddie Claude and his wife Ruth (pictured right) work with their kids to run the restaurant. Eddie is a Veteran who served for 21 years in the U.S. Army. Photos by YGH STUDIOS & GFBJ. The Fayett


Editor's note: Summer jobs

With summer in full swing, I started to reflect on the various ways I spent my summer break over the years. From pool parties with friends to family vacations and sports tournaments, I look back fondly on the summers I’ve enjoyed so far. But it


Preserving rural roots: Gray's Creek residents launch effort to become a town

Proposed incorporation boundary (pink) · Gray’s Creek, Cumberland County, N.C. This is a working draft and is subject to revision. Image courtesy of grayscreeknc.com. After decades as an unincorporated rural community in Cumberland County, Gray’