North Carolina governor, CEOs tell students to 'take risks and persevere' in their business plans.

"Only in America could someone with $20 and a racecar one day be sitting on a stage next to the governor."

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Those words were spoken by racing CEO and businessman Richard Childress during High Point University's Entrepreneurship Roundtable event on March 20, where Childress and North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory served as panelists in a discussion about innovation in North Carolina with 600 students and leaders in attendance.

They were joined by Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers; Rachel Weeks, founder and CEO of School House; and Bryan Young, CEO of BEC, an award-winning digital agency. Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU president, moderated the panel and discussed the themes of perseverance, hitting bumps in the road and taking risks when launching a business.

"It's going to be the start-up businesses that really determine our future," said McCrory at the event. "To be successful, surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, and surround yourself with talent that doesn't match your own."

Panelists agreed that every business owner will hit bumps in the road. Funding will be...