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MANHATTAN, KS — aAaron Collins walked away from the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge with not only $2,500, but proof that his lawn care business is on the right track, he said.
Aaron Collins of Aaron’s Lawn Care receives the Exemplary Award at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“I bought a good business plan with confidence and knew I was doing the right thing right now,” Leavenworth students said of being one of seven companies to earn an exemplary rating in the existing business category. It feels good to know that I’m there.” ”
Eighty-one Kansas students representing 72 existing and envisioned businesses participated in the event and won more than $70,000 in prizes. Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge — Sponsored by network kansas, Kansas State University Research and Extensionand Kansas State University Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship — Tuesday at Kansas State University.
Student ventures ranged from natural fertilizer made from bone meal and dog treats made from carrots and apples to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey car air fresheners and jewelry made from origami. .
Katie Aubert’s Katie’s Car Freshers car fresheners, inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey, were on display at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“We were all shocked by the student entrepreneurs who competed today,” said Chad Jackson, director of the K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “Everyone I spoke to and all the judges were just amazed by the quality and enthusiasm of the student entrepreneurs.”
Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge at Kansas State University in Manhattan. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge is the culmination of a series of community-based entrepreneurship competitions held across the state for students in grades 6 through 12, known as the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series.
During the event, students who advanced from the series competed in three rounds of live mock boardrooms, trade shows, and networking games.
“I got a lot of feedback about my business and was able to network with people,” Collins said. “We now have a better idea of how we should run our business.”
collins release aaron’s lawn care During the pandemic, he said:
“I was bored because of the coronavirus, so I asked my dad if I could go knock on doors in the neighborhood,” he continued. “We came back with five clients and have grown since then.”
Autumn Wynn of Baker’s Box poses with Willie the Wildcat during the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge in Manhattan. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Products featured in the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge’s Autumn Wynn’s Bakers Box concept entry. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Goodland student Autumn Wynn earned a finalist rating and $1,700 for her business, Bakers Box, in the Conceptual category.
“I like to make special cupcakes, cupcakes with unique flavors,” she explained. “I like experimenting in the kitchen.”
She said the event made networking more comfortable and less stressful.
“I am very happy to have used my skills to win several awards,” she added.
All student businesses that did not receive an Exemplary or Finalist rating took home $500.
Check out the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge photo gallery below and keep reading for more winners.
Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge Award Winners
Exemplary Valuation — Existing Business, $2,500
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Tre Glasper (Tre’s Squeeze, LLC) will present his venture at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Illustrative evaluation — conceptual business, $2,500:
Final Candidate Rating — Existing Business, $1,700:
Final Candidate Rating — Concept Business, $1,700:
- greener grass
- enlightened wellness
- Helicopter shot
- baker’s box
- sue’s cow
- Layton’s Show Cow Embryo
- DayWeb Media
Trade Show People’s Choice Award:
YEC Champion: Heather Stamper Voss, Liz Watson, Linda Herring, Brian Richter, Stephanie Mike, Beth Zimmerman, Candice Miapole.
KDC Curriculum Certificate — $50: Autumn Wagoner, Autumn Wynn, Brady Childs, Kayden Thomas, Grayson Maxwell, Hadley Graves, Nora Elenz, Sydney Bailey, Tianna Barnett Porter.
This story is made possible by Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures.
Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV) is a division of Network Kansas that supports innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in Kansas. Network Kansas fosters an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education, and financial resources they need to succeed.
