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Archive for April 2007
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards descended on Loyola Marymount University’s Conrad Hilton School of Business for the 2007 GSEA California Regionals on 24 April. LMU has hosted the GSEA for the past seven years - including seeing four GSEA Global Finals winners emerge from their region, so expectations were high for the day and for the competitors.
The day was not without its controversy, as the judging panel of local distinguished entrepreneurs and CEOs was unable to decide a clear first place winner. With a two way tie for first and an equal number of first place votes, the judges had no alternative but to vote to break the tie.
A heated discussion of the merits of each student entrepreneur’s presentation ensued, with judges torn in both directions and finding it very difficult to choose a winner. After much deliberation, an unnamed student entrepreneur was declared First Place. Following him in Second Place was Daniel Negari, owner of Beverly Hills Mint and student of USC.
(Judges L to R: Jon Owyang, President of Market-Based Solutions, Jet Patel, CEO of Varad Corporation, Gerry Morton, President of Energy First, Gerald Olesker, CEO of Architectural Detail Group, and Brad Schy, President of Musical Chairs Ticket Service)
Third Place went to Lucy Pereda, owner of Abba Detailing and Inland Empire Auto Body and Paint. The Cal State-San Bernardino student was very close to the leaders in the judges’ scoring (all candidates scored well) and is determined to return to the GSEA next year and win the California Region. Sean Rad, Founder of Orgoo also placed in the top group for the California Region.
(Winners L to R: Daniel Negari, CEO of Beverly Hills Mint, USC; Sean Rad, Founder of Orgoo, USC; Lucy Pereda, Owner of Abba Detailing/Inland Empire AutoBody and Paint, Cal State-San Bernardino;)
After the event, a celebration of entrepreneurship was hosted by LMU and its distinguished Conrad Hilton Chair in Entrepreneurship, “Grandpa” Fred Kiesner. We at GSEA would like to thank Grandpa Fred for all of his support of the GSEA program and of entrepreneurship in general - it is said that Kiesner has taught over 16,000 students in his tenure at LMU. Judging by the fact that former students had flown in from as far away as London, UK to share their experiences with Kiesner, it was clear that he has had an amazing impact. Thanks again Grandpa Fred!
Today the GSEA descended on beautiful Minneapolis, Minnesota for the GSEA Minnesota Regionals competition. Hosted at the University of St. Thomas, this competition not only showcased student entrepreneurs from Minnesota, but also from nearby Wisconsin. The four competitors came ready to present to impress the panel of judges and to try to take home some of the prizes - and more importantly a coveted spot at the GSEA Global Finals…
The four GSEA Minnesota Regional Competitors were (L to R):
Tyler Olson - HelpMeTy.com - University of St. Thomas
Zach Vruwink - Zach’s Computers - University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Andrew Foxwell - Modica Marketing - St. Olaf College
Ralph Jean-Pierre - Med-Assist - University of St. Thomas
(Jon Goodman of JGoods Custon Shoes was unable to make the competition due to travel difficulties, however he will remain eligible to compete at a later date.)
First place was awarded to Zach Vruwink of Zach’s Computers. Zach told the judges of his compelling story of opening his first retail storefront at the age of 15(!) with only $500 in savings. From there Zach has grown his retail operation into the medium six-figures in yearly revenues - at the age of nineteen. Zach is facing the dual challenges of his freshman year of college and growing his company head on and has no fear of either. Congratulations Zach!
Second place went to Tyler Olson of HelpMeTy.com. Tyler has created a unique business model in the crowded computer services sector. Not only does HelpMeTy.com assist computer users with their troubles and challenges with technology, but also assist with home theatre installs, networking, and much more. Tyler’s cell phone managed to get about 15 calls and emails to it during the presentation, showing how busy his young company is. One subject line read: “HELP!!”
Tyler is working on completing his business model which can be put into use anywhere in the world - opening up a huge realm of possibility for licensing or franching his business.
(L to R: University of St. Thomas’ Michael Sarafolean, Tyler Olson, Zach Vruwink and 2003 GSEA Winner and UST Alum Joseph Keeley of the very successful College Nannies and Tutors)
The day finished up with a presentation from Joe Keeley - 2003 GSEA Global Winner and alum of the University of St. Thomas. Joe congratulated all of the winners and encouraged them to continue down the entrepreneurial path - stating that “Entrepreneurs are different… and our uniqueness contributes to our success”.
Thanks again to all of our judges, the University of St. Thomas, EO Minneapolis / St. Paul and all of our nominees and competitors! Now it’s off to LA for the GSEA California Regionals tomorrow… stay tuned!
Monday saw the kickoff of the 2007 GSEA Regional Competitions with our first competition coming live from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas! The home of the Horned Frogs played host to four great student entrepreneurs competiting for prizes including one of two coveted slots at the GSEA Global Finals in Chicago, along with airfare and accommodations.
While all four undergrad entrepreneurs that presented were fantastic, the judges were challenged with choosing the top two who would advance. We had a fantastic judging panel that included Entrepreneurs’ Organization members from the EO Dallas and EO Houston chapters, as well as other local business leaders. Thanks to all of our judges for participating!
The race was close enough that out of four students - we had first, second and a tie for third! A fantastic showing from all four.
Our first place winner of a $1000 cash prize and the expenses-paid trip to compete at the GSEA Global Finals was Tim Hamilton of Astonish Designs!
Tim started his very well-tuned presentation by defining an entrepreneur in his own words. Referencing resources such as Michael Gerber’s The E-Myth, Tim did a great job of showing the judges how he has been an entrepreneur his entire life. From starting his company over a decade ago to his very busy Astonish Designs business he has now - Tim is truly one of Texas’ finest student entrepreneurs. Congrats Tim!
Second place went to the current TCU Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year - Jeff Livney of Livney+Partners.
Jeff’s presentation focused around the birth and growth of Livney+Partners - a small boutique marketing and branding firm. One of Jeff’s major messages was that he learned a lot through the restructuring of his company - a major lesson being “It’s ok to put off making a dollar today when you’re investing to make five or ten dollars tomorrow.”
Austin Hoffman of Coleto Collectibles and Michael McKenzie of The McKenzie Group tied for third place with their presentations. Great job!
These and all of our GSEA competitors are true entrepreneurs - managing a full school courseload, a social life (however fragmented it may be!) and on top of that, owning, leading and growing a company and in many cases, managing their own staff. Congratulations again to our four great competitors from Texas!
Next up are the GSEA Minnesota and GSEA California Regional Finals - held 23 April and 24 April 2007 respectively. Stay tuned to GSEA.org for updates!
Monday 16 April starts the official GSEA Regional Competition season, which will determine the competitors that will be going head to head at the GSEA Global Finals in Chicago, 1-3 November 2007 for the title of “Global Student Entrepreneur” and the massive grand prize package!
We will be reporting on this website from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas on Monday with the results - so stay tuned to www.gsea.org! Here are the four finalists for the GSEA Texas Region:
Tim Hamilton - Astonish Designs - http://www.astonishdesigns.com/ - University of Texas
Austin Hoffman - Coleto Collectibles - http://www.guerillagaragesales.com/ - Texas Christian University
Jeff Livney - Livney+Partners - http://www.livneypartners.com/ - Texas Christian University
Michael McKenzie - The McKenzie Group - http://www.themckenziegroup.com/ - Texas Christian University
We wish all of our GSEA competitors the best of luck in the upcoming regional competitions!
*** DON’T FORGET! There’s STILL TIME to nominate an undergraduate student entrepreneur for the GSEA! CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE!
