"Money won't make you happy, but happiness can make you money," said Russell Simmons, entrepreneur and author, during his address to over 350 attendees in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center at the University of Cincinnati (UC) on Wednesday, May 18, 2011.

Former UC student Jaydev Karande, co-founder of Wearcast, in conjunction with the UC Student Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) and the UC Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research organized the appearance by Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam and author of "Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All." Simmons is a successful entrepreneur and considered to be one of the "Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years,” according to USA Today in 2007. Simmons is regarded as a "hip-hop pioneer" for his groundbreaking vision that has influenced music, fashion, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy.

UC president, Greg Williams joined the audience for Simmons' 90-minute presentation and Q&A covering wealth, happiness, education, jobs and more. For seven minutes, Simmons led the audience in a group meditation. “It was impressive to see everyone focus their energy on mediation,” said Charles H. Matthews, PhD, executive director of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research. “It was a pleasure to introduce Jaydev Karande, a former UC student from 1998-2002,  who is pursuing quite a successful entrepreneurial career of his own, first as the co-founder of ZipScene.com and now the founder of Wearcast.” Karande introduced Simmons and served as moderator for the Q&A portion of the evening.

Simmons' recent book "Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All" is about the concept of "true wealth and has more to do with what's in your heart than what's in your wallet." Simmons uses his rare blend of spiritual-savvy and street-smart wisdom to offer a new definition of wealth, and share timeless principles for developing an unshakable sense of self that can weather any financial storm. Simmons became one of America's shrewdest entrepreneurs, achieving a level of success that most investors only dream of. Simmons signed books for over an hour as many in the audience lined up to meet the author. “Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All” is available in the UC Bookstore, including a limited quantity signed by the author.

This event was part of the Center for Entrepreneurship's Small Business Week activities and was sponsored by Rush Card, Wearcast, CincyTech, the Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research, the Student Entrepreneurship Club and the UC Bookstore.