The Fayette Chamber launched its first Jr. Entrepreneur Competition this year to encourage students to dream big and step into the world of business.  Local high school students with a passion for entrepreneurship were given the opportunity to enter the contest by creating their own detailed business plans.  Each plan outlined the type of company the students would like to develop and own in Fayette County.

Throughout the school year, area business representatives specializing in fields such as finance, marketing, international marketing and insurance provided classroom presentations.  Individual students, as well as student teams, submitted written business plans to the Chamber in April.  An outstanding panel of judges evaluated each Written Business Plan Outline, comprised of the following components:  Executive Summary, including Mission Statement and Management Plan; Marketing Analysis & Organization Plan, including Summary Description of the Business and Products or Services to be Provided; Marketing Strategy, including Methods of Sales & Distribution and Pricing; and Financial Documents, including Cash Flow Statement and Break-Even Analysis.

The distinguished panel of judges included Dr. Alphonso Ogbuehi, Dean of the College of Business-Clayton State University; Dr. Bill Lightfoot, Dean of the College of Business-Brenau University; Alisa Kirk, Area Director of the Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University; Heather Chaney, Program Coordinator of the Small Business Development Center; Jan Krzykwa, Marketing Manager of TCIS-The Complete Insurance Source; Doug Bates, President of CMIT Solutions; and Dr. Suzanne Erickson, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Mass Communications at Brenau University.

A week later, the judges returned to the chamber to assess each competitor’s oral presentation.  Each business plan and oral presentation was scored on a point system which awarded up to a total of 100 points. The detailed Marketing Strategy, for example, was worth a maximum of 35 points.

Several Sandy Creek High School students participated in the event:  LeDreina George, who presented a business plan for Annie Mae’s In-Home Health Care, a mobile health-care company which would offer all off the necessary elements for elder care; Rockne Vidourek, Aundrey Flewellen, and Hong Cheng, who presented a plan for Thermal Climber, a business dedicated to the development of a quality weather and element-resistant coat containing a heating apparatus within the lining to distribute warmth and comfort; Thafari Serrano, who represented Urban Vogue 16, a clothing line that would include hoodies equipped with technology devices capable of offering entertainment and medical applications; and Armend Kaleshi, who introduced BassFit, a trendy new clothing line for Fayette County young adults who enjoy dance music such as hip-hop, house, dubstep and techno.

Two Fayette County High School students were recognized as the winners of this year’s Competition at the chamber’s annual Partners in Education Breakfast held on April 26th:

Amanda McLeroy, the Runner-Up, proposed Baking in Flower, a combination bakery and flower shop/garden (“We not only smell good, but we taste good, too.”).  Her company would offer a broad range of beautiful floral arrangements and amazing desserts. She was awarded a week-long opportunity to participate in Clayton State University’s Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy.

Nisa Floyd, the Grand Prize Winner, presented a plan for Undine Botanicals, an environmentally friendly and socially responsible hair care products company dedicated to serving customers with curly hair (“Nature has no flaws; beauty has no limits.”).  Its goal is to preserve and improve curly hair through the use of organic ingredients.   Nisa was awarded the Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy opportunity as well as a Netbook.

This Competition would not have been possible without the advice and encouragement of teachers/coaches Ms. Jaime Carter, Ms. Melissa Duncan and Ms. Melissa Leonard.  They enthusiastically provided support throughout the school year in preparation for this competition.

The Fayette Chamber also thanks the sponsors of the Jr. Entrepreneur Competition:  Huntington Learning Center, The Southern Federal Credit Union, Gallopade International, Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services, ServPro of Fayette and South Fulton, Mallory Aviation, and Clayton State University.