What do an animal shelter, audio systems, softball camps and salads made with local greens all have in common?They’re all part of several entrepreneurial ideas and business plans developed by over 40 statewide high school and technical center students who submitted plans in the 6th annual VT REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship Through Action Learning) High School/Tech Center Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition. A special awards reception was held Thursday at Vermont Tech in Williston and presented by the Vermont Small Business Development Center to honor the top winners in the competition for their creative work.
Carly Caswell, a student from Champlain Valley UHS, received first place with her business proposal for Mix’d Greens. This business would provide a healthy alternative to fast food with its unique custom salads made with fresh products that are locally grown in Vermont.
Top Photo, from left, CVU teacher Tami Jo Dickinson, Carly Caswell, Zuhair Chaudhry, Dan Smith and Darcy Carter. Second photo, students Kelsey Putvain and Mercedes Allen. Third photo, students Kalie Warner and Brooke Thompson. Fourth photo, students Faiza Hasan and Sam Treadwell.
“We want to encourage young people to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, to explore the creative process of new venture creation,” said Laurel Butler, competition coordinator, business advisor at VtSBDC and STEM outreach director at Vermont Tech. “It is our hope that these skills will lay the foundation to help the students academically, personally and professionally long after they matriculate from secondary education.”
The student plans were first reviewed and scored by VtSBDC statewide advisors using a comprehensive business plan rubric. Then, a second round of final judging took place to determine the top scoring plans as well as the honorable mentions.
“This is a unique opportunity for young people to practice business planning, critical thinking and financial management skills in a real-life setting,” said Linda Rossi, VtSBDC state director. “Our workforce depends on the entrepreneurial mindset of Vermont’s future small business owners and it’s amazing to see the creativity and hard work these students have demonstrated.”
Second place awards were given to two business plans, and winners included Kelsey Putvain and the team of Makayla Smith and Taylor Rocke. Third place was awarded to Mercedes Allen, and honorable mentions went to Catie Lyons, Faiza Hasan, Kraig McFadden, Zuhair Chaudhry, Kalie Warner, Sam Treadwell and Brooke Thompson.
VTREAL’s annual Business Plan Competition is a teaching tool for business, marketing, financial literacy, problem solving, creativity and citizenship topics, and it is designed to give students a real life experience within an educational setting. VT REAL advocates that educating our youth about entrepreneurship is vital to the success of Vermont and its overall economy.
For additional information about the VtSBDC, please visit www.vtsbdc.org and to learn more about Vermont Tech, go to www.vtc.edu.
About VT REAL - VT REAL is a hands-on youth education program (and curriculum) that develops entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, and guides participants through the process of planning, creating, and operating small businesses of their own design. VT REAL advocates that educating our youth about entrepreneurship is vital to the success of Vermont and its overall economy.
From left, SBA Vermont's Darcy Carter, Dan Smith, Laurel Butler and Linda Rossi. Photos by Vermont Business Magazine.
About Vermont Tech – Vermont Tech is a leading public college with a mission of applied education. One of the five Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Tech serves students from throughout Vermont, New England, and beyond at its two residential campuses in Williston and Randolph Center, regional campuses in Brattleboro and Bennington, and at six nursing campuses located throughout the state. Vermont Tech takes an optimistic, rooted and personal approach to education to support students in gaining the confidence and practical skills necessary to not only see their potential, but to experience it. Our academic programs encompass a wide range of engineering technology, agricultural, health, and business fields that are vital to producing the knowledgeable workers needed most by employers in the state and in the region. www.vtc.edu.