June 9, 2010
Five teams of York County high school juniors and seniors learned about entrepreneurship and small business for eight months as they participated in York College’s first Entrepreneurship York Program and Business Plan Competition. The program was sponsored by the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship at York College, in partnership with the York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL).
Teams first gathered in October 2009, then met once or twice a month to develop their dream business. Throughout the experience, they learned about writing a business plan, competitive advantage, and banking and investing. The final event, held May 7, included a business plan competition where students presented their plans to investors and venture capitalists.
The team named “Three-Sixty” was recognized as the winner of the competition. Members are Shaq Glover, York Country Day School; Shannon Brennan, York Catholic; Matthew O’Toole, York Catholic; Erica Reineberg, York Catholic; and Chloe Walsh, York Suburban. Each team was mentored by a current member or alumnus of the College’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) organization; “Three-Sixty” was mentored by alumnus Edward Crumbock.
“The ‘Three-Sixy’ Business Plan was a serious approach to what a business plan should look like,” said Mike March, director of the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship. “They performed research on the market, developed market segments from their research, and translated that information into an execution plan. Although the service they contemplated -- a center for teens to visit for entertainment, healthy food, dances, academic advising, in a safe and positive environment -- is in a difficult market segment, they used discipline in their approach.
“I had no idea that starting a small business was so in-depth and complex,” said Reineberg. “Between writing a business plan, creating a presentation and planning out every little aspect of the business, our group was very busy. However, it was absolutely worth it. The program was very well-organized and the advisors were very knowledgeable and eager to help. It truly opened my eyes to the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, and the knowledge I received from Entrepreneurship York will be put to much use in my future.
Second place was presented to “Tie-It-Together,” mentored by SIFE member Rob Donatelli. Team members, all from Dallastown, are Justin Bull, Amy Jacobs, Garrett Kistler, Nicole Melcher and Matt Ruth. “Historical Experience,” mentored by SIFE members Greg Ingram and Tyler Block, were recognized for developing the most original business idea. Team members are Melissa Colon, Even Fisher, Katherine Grimaldi and Mary McCleary, all of Central York, and Michael Woolfenden, West York. And the award for Most Feasible Business Idea went to “Shop-YOUr-Way,” whose members included Megan Becman, Sarah Clark and Lindsey Hersh of Spring Grove, and Donteris Spence of Red Lion.
“Having spent almost three decades in business before becoming an educator, I see this program as an infinitely valuable experience to any high school students who has an interest in someday starting their own business,” said Kathie Ingoglia, YCAL Co-Chair Education Committee and West York Area High School Diversified Occupations Teacher.
York College will offer the Entrepreneurship York Program again during the 2010-2011 academic year. The program is open to all York County high school juniors and seniors. Interested students should contact their school’s Diversified Occupations teacher or guidance office for more information and application materials.
Additional thoughts from winning team members:
Receiving first place at Entrepreneurship York was an accomplishment that required hard work and dedication, yet it was an experience I will never forget. The competition within the Entrepreneurship teams was fierce and the workload was rigorous. Although the program entailed several hours of non-stop work and problem-solving, the rewards of the program were endless.
The professional help and the corporate guest speakers created a professional business atmosphere. I have always wanted to study business in college in order to pursue a business career, and this program has brought me the insight of what it really takes to create, manage, and run my own business.
We learned business techniques and decision-making skills that will help us not only throughout college but throughout our lives. We learned how to work within a team, how to motivate ourselves and each other, to produce a comprehensive business plan. The program’s directors challenged every student, and they were determined that we perform at our best. I’m very lucky to have had the chance to participate in such a remarkable program and recommend Entrepreneurship York to anyone planning to study business in college.
- Shannon Brennan
Being a part of the Entrepreneurship York Program taught me the fundamentals of creating an original idea and writing a business plan for it to be presented to investors. Writing a complete business plan was not as easy as I originally thought it was going to be when I first became a part of this program, but business and marketing is something about which I am very passionate, so it never felt like work, and it was a very fulfilling experience. I learned many lessons and gained valuable knowledge and experience that I will take with me and apply in my future ventures in the field of business administration and marketing.
- Shaq Glover
Commenting is closed for this article.