The Voice

Issue date: 1/16/07 Section: Science & Technology

Media Credit: Tyler Cialek The audience listens to one of the speakers during the WCC Student Enterprise Competition awards ceremony.

A winner from three finalists of the WCC Student Enterprise Competition was chosen on Thursday, December 14. The goal of this competition was to encourage students to apply the skills they learned at WCC for starting their own business and also to get feedback on their ideas from seasoned business gurus. Each contestant had hitherto done extensive research into the business they planned on starting and wrote a business plan to present to the panel of judges. After a dinner provided by the Student Enterprise Zone, each of the contestants presented their business proposals. Melissa Griffin presented first. Her plan was to open a car cleaning business which placed a special emphasis on providing service to senior citizens, offering complementary car pick-ups and deliveries. Second, Katie Halton shared her plan to open a photography studio that would focus on portrait shooting. Third, Adam Wilson presented his plan to "make using portable toilets less of a horrific experience" by providing clean, environmentally friendly latrines.

After the contestants presented their proposals, the judges convened to decide on a winner. The judging panel consisted of three highly respected members of the local business community: Monique Deschaine, the founder of Al Dente pasta; Brenda Moor, the CEO and president of Perk and Brew Corp., a highly successful coffee company, and Paul Saginaw, one of the co-founders of Zinggerman's bakery and deli.

Returning to the room, the judges announced the winner: Melissa Griffin. Griffin was awarded a $500 check to use for whatever she deemed fit. Wilson won the second place prize. Halton, being an alumna of WCC rather than a student, was not eligible to win an award.

Martin Cook, a member of the Fall 2006 Student Enterprise Zone as well as one of the coordinators of this competition, explained that plans are judged "on how realistic they are, and how likely they are to succeed." He went on to explain how the Student Enterprise Zone had raised over $1,000 from two bake sales and private donations from both individuals and companies to fund this competition. "A lot of work went into this. You would think that it's just making name tags, but it's not."

"This competition," said Moor, "allows students to bridge the gap between their area of study - which probably wasn't business - and starting their own business." With their research and planning completed, the next step for these students is to choose whether or not they want to follow through and start their own businesses. To give them an idea of what life as an entrepreneur will be like for them, Saginaw said, "I have had a lot of sleepless nights, but I've [also] had some of the best times of my life."

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