The GSEA descended on the offices of Dickstein Shapiro, one of the USA’s top law firms on Wednesday for an exciting Washington DC Regional Finals Competition. Dickstein Shapiro partner Andrew Sherman, recognized as one of America’s top ten entrepreneurial minds by Fortune magazine was our gracious host for this prestigious event which featured student entrepreneurs from Delaware, North Carolina, Maryland and Washington DC.
The event had a fantastic range of businesses represented. From sports to technology to candy and snacks, the student entrepreneurs competing worked to win over the judge panel consisting of members from the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s DC chapter.
(Judges from L to R: Marc Isaacson, President of Village Green Apothecary, Akbar Sharfi, President of Legal Advantage, Daniel Turner, President of Turner Consulting Group and Michael Brey, President of Hobby Works)
Evan Bowen, of the Elite Passing Academy kicked the competition off by describing his business and entrepreneurial background to the judges. Evan’s business is hosting camps all across his home state and is looking to further expand and perhaps test a franchising model.
Kailen Cage was able to work the crowd’s collective sweet tooth with her stories of her vending business, Kailen’s Candy Catering. Kailen showed the judges that her focus on customer service - going as far as having suggestion boxes on her vending machines for customers to give feedback - truly set her apart from the competition. Kailen also handed out quarters for all to try some of her delicious candy straight from a vending machine she herself worked to design.
Tim Mertes, CEO of Altenergy Corporation showed the judges that he was a true serial entrepreneur. From selling used cars in his mid-teens to customers all across the nation, to founding a neutraceutical company which has over $1.2 million in annual sales, and now having recently filed a patent for a new, more efficient light bulb, Tim really has the fire glowing brightly.
Chris Wu and Ross Epstein also delivered great presentations to the judges. Chris stepped in to his business, The Smith Store, turning it around and driving sales and profits to new heights. Ross has been servicing customers all around his local area with RE Computer Consulting, his business that services home and business hardware, networking and software needs.
However - there is only room for three on the podium, and in typical GSEA style we had a close finish. Here are the results!:
First Place: Tim Mertes - CEO, Altenergy Corporation - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Second Place: Kailen Cage - Kailen’s Candy Catering - University of Maryland, College Park
Third Place: Evan Bowen - Elite Passing Academy - University of Delaware
(Student Entrepreneurs L to R: Evan Bowen - Elite Passing Academy, Chris Wu - The Smith Store, Ross Epstein - RE Computer Consulting, Tim Mertes - Altenergy Corporation, Kailen Cage - Kailen’s Candy Catering)
Thanks again to all of our nominees, competitors and judges… and now on to the GSEA New England finals next week!
