Local Middle and High School Student Entrepreneurs Compete for Seed Capital and Other Prizes in Regional Business Plan Competition
Friday, May 27, 2011 - 9:15am
Pittsburgh, PA, May 26, 2011—Three high school student entrepreneurs will vie for the chance to win a total of $2,000 in seed capital for their start-up businesses next Thursday, June 2 at the annual Igniting Possibilities event at The Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh. Three middle school projects will compete to win $400 in seed capital.
These students will present their business ideas to a panel of judges (see below) comprised of local business leaders in the final round of The George W. Tippins Annual Business Plan Competition. Judges will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the high school division and 1st place in the middle school division. The winners will be announced at an early evening reception beginning at 5:45 p.m.
High School Division Finalists
- Monroeville resident, Licercia Crawley from Urban Pathways Charter School (Owner of L’Amour de la Mosaique)
- Bridgewater resident, Amber Liggett from Franklin Center of Beaver County (Owner of Amber’s Amazing Animal Balloons)
- Brownsville resident, Joey Pahula of Brownsville High School (Owner of Dramatic Effects)
Middle School Division Finalists
- Jesse and Joziah Council from Franklin Center of Beaver County (Founders of J&J’s Healing Cream
- Patrice Council from Franklin Center of Beaver County (Owner of Unique Creation’s)
- Lisa Huff from Franklin Center of Beaver County (Owner of Decadent Delights)
This 6th annual competition is a showcase for students, from grades 7-12, to demonstrate their business ideas and talents. The program is sponsored by the Tippins Foundation and named in honor of one of Pittsburgh’s most successful entrepreneurs, inventors and financiers of the latter half of the 20th century. The competition provides students with real life experience in business creation so young people acquire knowledge and skills essential for: academic success, economic security, and the life they really want. Entrepreneuring Youth, which sponsors the annual competition, directs resources to engage and benefit young people at risk of failing academically and for whom career paths and opportunities for success seem extremely limited.
Young Entrepreneur Business Expo
Students who participated in the Business Plan Competition will also present their businesses to guests during a Young Entrepreneur Business Expo before the early evening reception. These young entrepreneurs will sell products, promote services, and showcase their businesses ideas to the general public. Guests will also get a chance to vote for the young entrepreneurs considered to be the most effective communicators of their “big” idea. A middle school and high school entrepreneur will receive a cash prize.
2011 Emerging Youth Entrepreneur of the Year
Additionally, Amber Liggett, Founder and CEO of Amber’s Amazing Animal Balloons, will be recognized as the 2011 Emerging Youth Entrepreneur of the Year during the Reception & Program portion of the event. This award recognizes a young entrepreneur who has successful launched and operated a small business enterprise.
At the age of 9, Amber received a balloon kit as a gift. She became fascinated with the various techniques for creating unique and colorful balloon shapes and animals. Today, she has a thriving business providing balloon creations to entertain people of all ages. Through stories and narratives, educational lessons are included, as well as moral values. Amber also uses her business as a fundraising opportunity for organizations.
The business provides entertainment for, but not limited to: birthday parties, family reunions, weddings, corporate functions, school events, community events/festivals, church youth groups and scouting functions. The business also provides "balloons to go" (custom orders for balloons/decorations that are pre-made and sold to the customer as takeout orders) and basic face painting.
Program Timeline
Who:Open to the Public
What:The George W. Tippins Annual Business Plan Competition
Where:The Rivers Club, One Oxford Centre, Downtown Pittsburgh
When: Thursday, June 2, 2011
Judging: 1:00 p.m.
Student Expo: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Reception & Program: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
About Entrepreneuring Youth: Entrepreneuring Youth, a 501 C 3 nonprofit educational and entrepreneurial experience program was founded in Pittsburgh on September 1, 2009. Entrepreneuring Youth helps young people learn about business creation and experience ownership. It partners with educators, parents and youth work professionals who want to use entrepreneurial learning and business creation to engage young people in learning. For more information, visit www.eyouthamerica.org.
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Youth Entrepreneurs
High School Division
Licercia Crawley, L'Amour de la Mosaique (Mosaic Glass Boxes and Other Objects)
Urban Pathways Charter School
Seth Diggs, Class Photography (High School Event Photos)
McKeesport High School
Shaquilla Green, APK (Camp for Children with Chronic Illness)
McKeesport High School
Zachary Hibbs and Adam Ransack, Explicit Experience (Retail Sale of Beverages, Apparel, etc.)
Brownsville High School
Zach Krivda and George Madden, Cookies for a Cause (Fundraising for Charity)
McKeesport High School
Amber Liggett, Amber’s Amazing Animal Balloons (Balloon Entertainment)
Franklin Center of Beaver County
Joey Pahula, Dramatic Effects (Video & Editing Services)
Brownsville High School
Kristen Popp, K Popp’s Pitching Camp (Softball Pitching Instruction for Girls)
McKeesport High School
Matt Pucalik and Josh Walls, MJ’s Lawn Service (Lawn Care Service)
McKeesport High School
Darnell Robison, Robison’s Housing Company (Remodeling and Selling Houses)
McKeesport High School
Middle School Division
Jesse and Joziah Council, J&J’s Healing Cream (Herbal Cream for Aches)
Franklin Center of Beaver County
Patrice Council, Unique Creation’s (Photography & Greeting Cards)
Franklin Center of Beaver County
Lisa Huff, Decadent Delights (Oreo Bon Bons)
Franklin Center of Beaver County
