Thomas Waters

Entrepreneurship

For Thomas Waters, returning to the classroom after time away from school was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

“My first day at Del Tech was one of excitement and a bit of anxiety,” he said. “It had been a long time since I was a student, and I was unsure what to expect. It turned out to be a great day—I felt that I was going to be alright.”

Waters, who graduated from Delaware Tech in 2024, is now the CEO of the business he started: WATERSpeaks, a professional speaking, training, and consulting company.

He decided to enroll at Delaware Tech because of its diverse course offerings, flexible schedule, and a conversation with an intake counselor that helped confirm it was the right choice for him. He chose the entrepreneurship program to gain formal training on how to start and run his own business.

“Delaware Tech showed me all there was to starting a business beyond just having a great idea,” Waters said. “It showed me all the business aspects that I had not considered.”

A standout memory came one Monday morning in class when his instructor, David Hall, jokingly asked, “Tom, you don’t have any questions?” It’s a moment Waters remembers fondly as a sign of how engaged he was in his coursework.

One of his most valuable experiences came when he was a finalist in the college’s business plan competition, a hallmark of the entrepreneurship program that allows top students from across the college to present their plans to local business leaders who act as “sharks,” providing critiques.

“The feedback from the judges gave me so much confidence,” he said. In a full-circle moment, Waters returned as a judge in the competition this past semester, paying it forward to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

After graduation, Waters took a short vacation and completed a book he had been writing for two years while updating his business model and applying everything he learned in the program.

This spring, he released his latest book, “No Mic Needed”, which explores the power of authentic communication.

“Your voice is not just a sound,” he said. “It’s an instrument of influence, empathy, and truth. This book is about discovering all the ways you can use it to make a difference.”

With over 25 years of previous experience in corporate America, primarily in training and leadership roles, Waters now uses his skills to motivate others. Through WATERSpeaks, he offers customer service training, leadership development, and keynote speaking that engages audiences through powerful storytelling.

Waters plans to continue expanding his business and return to school to obtain his bachelor’s degree in religious studies.

His advice to prospective Delaware Tech students is simple: “Look closely at the course offerings, know what you want to study, and have a conversation with an enrollment counselor before enrolling.”

And for any Delaware Tech grads looking to make an impact, Waters’ book offers this guidance: “Step into your power and realize your voice has the potential to shape the world around you.”