The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards awards a special recognition award for Social Impact at the global finals competition:
- Special Recognition Award for Social Impact: This award is presented to the student entrepreneur that the GSEA judges have determined shows the most regard for the community and environment in which they do business. Judges look for socially responsible, environmentally sound business practices, great business ethics, and community involvement - how is the student entrepreneur making their business locale a better place?
The GSEA is proud to recognize our past winners of the Social Impact award:
2007
Fraser Doherty - SuperJam - University of Strathclyde, Scotland
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Fraser Doherty is currently an Undergraduate Accountancy student at The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. He began making homemade jam using his Grandmother’s recipes at the age of fourteen, selling his produce to neighbors and at church fetes. Within eighteen months, he decided to leave school and work on his idea full-time for a year before starting University.
During this ‘gap year’, Fraser developed a highly innovative set of recipes for manufacturing jams entirely from fruit and fruit juice. He also decided to use fruits high in nutrients, ‘Super Fruits’, in his recipes and develop fun and modern branding for the range. Soon, Waitrose gave Fraser a contract to supply their 184 stores with his ‘SuperJam’. This launch was accompanied by prime time news coverage and Fraser has since secured contracts to supply other large retailers in the UK and Ireland, such as the UK’s largest grocer; Tesco. |
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2006
Thomas Jönsson - Repsam - Lund University, Sweden
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Thomas Jönsson, now 21, grew up with an almost compulsive need to make money and save what he earned. His search for profits began with washing the dishes, cutting the lawn and making dinner. In his early days, he earned US$70 for making Christmas decorations and US$130 dollars each year for avoiding candy. He even bought a used wallet for less than one dollar and sold the wallet for US$5, a margin most firms fantasize about.
Jönsson, who participated in youth athletics and excelled in school, became familiar with the concepts of discipline and hard work, never losing his taste for profits. As he aged, his interest in music also grew. As he prepared to purchase his first “real��? stereo, however, he wanted to spend his money wisely. So rather than buying new, he bought a stereo from a stranger for US$1,000. but the radio he purchased had extra additions that Jönsson found unnecessary, and so he began to sell these ad hoc. Once more, Jönsson’s business senses were activated. Two years later, he could barely get into his room because of all the HiFi items. He completed high school, took one year off from his studies and built his company, Repsam, which makes it easier for sellers and buyers of used HiFi equipment to make their transactions. His firm is now the biggest in Sweden in the used HiFi equipment market, and Jönsson is focusing his energies on becoming one of the “big men��? in business. But, though his business continues to thrive, Jönsson is seeking to grow personally as well, as he pursues dual degrees, speaks locally on entrepreneurship and study techniques and plans to begin writing his first book soon, which has already been accepted by a Swedish publishing house. |
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2005
Jason Duff - Community Storage and Properties - Ohio Northern University, USA
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Jason Duff graduated in May 2005 from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, with a degree in Business Management. Jason’s entrepreneurial career started at age 10, stocking vending machines while balancing t-ball, piano lessons, and the occasional game of Nintendo. As his vending route grew, so did his commitment and aspirations to fulfill the needs of his customers.
At age 18, Jason obtained his real estate license and became Ohio’s youngest Realtor®, providing him the opportunity to invest in property and learn the trade. His experience in real estate taught him how development can strengthen and transform a community. In 1998, Jason created Community Storage & Properties, Ltd., to help his hometown grow by developing and revitalizing commercial real estate. Standing behind his company mission of improving quality of life and economic stability, Jason researched the needs of his community and recruited a new bank, grocery store, investment office and industrial park – all properties owned, developed, and managed by his company. In addition to his business, he plays a big role in several community growth organizations and has been the driving force behind several government/private capital improvement projects, contributing to growth and reinvestment dollars well exceeding $3 million. Community Storage & Properties, Ltd. operates over 500 self storage units at 4 locations, numerous commercial and residential rentals, and over 70 outdoor advertising displays in Ohio. For more information, please visit http://www.communitystorage.com/. |
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2004
Molly Reiling - Daylily Spa Salon - Saint Cloud State University, USA
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Molly Reiling, an English major at Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota founded Daylily Spa Salon in April of 2000 with her husband, Devrie. It is a full service Aveda concept salon and day spa that began two years ago with five employees and has now grown to twenty. The growth the salon has experienced since opening can be largely attributed to the dedication of its staff.
Molly worked hard to create a culture that encourages her staff to support one another and take pride in the their coworkers efforts. Molly fosters an environment where it is just as important to help your colleagues achieve success as it is for you as an individual to be successful. In addition to serving its rapidly growing clientele, Daylily Salon Spa offers the residents of a local women’s shelter the opportunity to come in to the spa and enjoy complimentary services. The staff donates their time for this, and the company donates the products and facilities. With a great team in place, the salon has been able to build a strong reputation as an exciting place to work and the best place for people to enjoy the simple pleasures of relaxation and beauty. This reputation is the force behind its financial success, growth, and sustainability. Molly will open a second Daylily Spa Salon in the spring of 2005. |
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2003
Narcedalia Lozano Garza - La Paz Comienza con los Ninos - Monterrey Institute of Technology, Mexico
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Narcedalia Lozano Garza graduated this spring with an international relations degree. La Paz Comienza con los Ninos is a civil organization whose mission is to establish a culture of peace and prosperity among children through art, science and sports. Workshops are imparted and aimed mainly to boys and girls in condition of poverty, negligence, abandonment or abuse. At the end of every semester a Concierto por la Paz is performed and the children show the fruit of their efforts.
The foundation first began in August of 2000 with two weekly one-hour music workshops held for 40 children. Since then, La Paz Comienza con los Ninos has grown to have several hundred volunteers who hold workshops in entrepreneurship, art, dance, science, sports, carpentry and cooking for the children. In the future the foundation is looking forward to creating a scholarship fund for outstanding students. |
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2002
Michael McMyne - McMyne and Associates - Spring Hill College, USA
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Michael McMyne is a junior at Spring Hill College majoring in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. As one of the youngest professional speakers in the nation, he has built his company, McMyne & Associates, L.L.C., around the needs of his peers—high school and college students.
The mission of McMyne & Associates is simple: telling a story in such a way that audience members will discover (through listening and participating in seminars) their own fears, courage, desires, faith, energies, laughter, hopes and dreams. He also recently published his first book, Real Life University, a guide to college success. McMyne & Associates, L.L.C. provides inspirational and motivational services to schools and business nationwide, challenging audience members to rise to the challenges of life. Additionally, the company is committed to raising money to improve the quality of life for the terminally ill and unprivileged children nationwide. The company’s foundation called “Giving Back��? has received national recognition for its dedication to America’s youth and has raised more than two hundred thousand dollars for underprivileged youth nationwide. |
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2001
Eric Valenzuela - C. A. T. S. - Loyola Marymount University, USA
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Eric Valenzuela comes from an Hispanic immigrant family and is the first family member to attend college. He grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by poverty and gang life. When he came to Loyola Marymount University, he told a professor that he had decided to become an entrepreneur and control his own destiny.
He began his business while in high school by doing computer consulting around campus and at his teachers’ homes. His company, C.A.T.S. (Computer Assistance & Technical Support) was marketed through flyers, business cards and a web site. C.A.T.S. quickly grew its clients and success. The company’s goal is to be the link between clients and ever-changing technology, so they can get the most from technology. Currently Valenzuela covers a 100-mile-plus radius, with plans for further expansion. His main focus is to improve life for those in need around him, through business. He feels he can improve the financial situation of youth by exposing them to business. He give motivational talks to troubled groups. In May, he graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Business Administration. |
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2000
Jose Gabriel & Cordero Jimenez - University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
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1999Clint Runge - University of Nebraska, USA
