After 22 weeks of working to develop an idea and a business plan, 15 groups and individuals participating in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy pitched their ideas in front of a panel of investors, consisting of local business men and women.
When the dust cleared, it was Shea Walk with her company, Chic La Shea, that came out on top. Her business plan aims to transform plain, ordinary binders and notebooks to decorative and personalized pieces by creating covers for them.
Walk said she got the business idea when she started making the binder covers herself, and her friends wanted them as well. She enrolled in YEA! and, with the help of mentors, has developed a plan to turn her hobby into a business.
"I've learned so much, and I'm just so excited," Walk said.
She netted a $1,180 from investors—$40 more than she asked for—and will be advancing to regional competition in May.
All of the young entrepreneurs received some type of investment, but the amount varied based on the merit of the idea as well as the presentation. Business owners had six minutes to pitch their ideas to the panel of investors, who then had the opportunity to question them about their product or idea. Investors will now spend the remaining 11 weeks using the investor money to further develop their businesses.
Logan Tighe, with his already established beach-inspired clothing business, was runner-up in the competition. His business pitch earned him $1,100 from investors to help him get his clothing line into stores.
Noha Dawit caught attention from the judges with his idea to develop a rubber silicone template for engraving hair designs. He has developed a prototype and is working to refine the design. In addition to a $750 investment from the panel, Dawit also earned himself a connection to a patent attorney.
Elizabeth Purvis, through her cupcake and sweet treat baking business EAP's Sweet Treats, earned $380 from the investors along with a $500 gift card from Sam's Club. She also received an offer to help her build her website along with continuing mentorship and an internship.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy—the first such academy in Texas—has been in operation since the 2011-12 school year. It is offered through the Frisco Chamber of Commerce with support from Frisco ISD and the Frisco Economic Development Corp.
Students in grades 6-12 are chosen who have demonstrated creativity, innovative ideas, academic effort, determination, enthusiasm and communication skills.
The academy runs from October to May and during that time students spend three hours a week at the Frisco ISD Career & Technical Education Center working with local business and industry leaders, community members and educators who help them develop their ideas and goals, develop business plans and a business pitch, develop a brand and even register their business through local governmental agencies.
The goal is for students to graduate the class owning and operating a fully functional business throughout their high school career and beyond.
Other participants included:
Auxano, developed by Javon Bouton, is an idea for an adjustable clothing line for young, growing boys. He earned a $150 investment from the panel.
Bendi Activewear, developed by Bailey Crawford, is a business aimed at creating affordable activewear for youth dancers and gymnasts. She received a $500 investment.
District Spirit, developed by Mo Kousa, Caleb White and Kendall Metcalf, is a business that aims to provide custom Frisco ISD spirit shirts throughout the year. District Spirit received a $960 investment.
GamersConnect, developed by Isabelle Ong and Nihal Bhatnagar, is a website where video gamers can connect with other gamers and find new games to play. The duo received $150 toward developing their site.
GeoBubble, developed by Victoria Meng, is a concept for an app that would connect small businesses with Frisco consumers. She received $740 from the investor panel.
Grandeso, developed by Oliver Shi and Trent Greene, is an idea to develop a database of local independent restaurants. The two received $280 toward their idea.
Lavender LLC, developed by James L. Holewinski, is an idea for a skin care line developed for male tweens and teens. He received $190 from investors.
Mechacoil, developed by Andrew Wu and William Chen, is a product that will help solve the problem of tangled earbuds. The two earned a $240 investment toward their product.
Shatki Products, developed by Shakti Atnand, is an idea to sell foam building blocks for young children. She received a $550 investment.
Solis Connect, developed by Aneesh Bindingnavile, an online portal where customers can develop a custom solar panel power solution. He received $480 toward the development of his business.
Spasiti, developed by Ellie Chen, Anjika Bhalla and Ameya Singh, is an online community for high schools students to buy and sell formal wear. The group received $300 from investors.
The investor panel included:
Donald Braun, president of Hall Financial Group
Dianna Manuel, principal of the FISD Career & Technical Education Center
Truman Greene, vice president of corporate services for Conversant Intellectual Property Management
Tony Felker, president and CEO, Frisco Chamber of Commerce
John Kendall, internet marketing expert, Osky Blue
Kerri Lewis, Sam's Club
