San Marcos Entrepreneurship Academy (SMEA) students recently presented innovative business plans in a trade show format at SMEA’s annual Business Plan Showcase.
The showcase is a culmination of student work, networking, connections and skill-building, and offers a glimpse into the future of business and innovation in our community.
SMEA students presented their original business plans, which they developed over the course of the three-year program. Each plan reflected comprehensive market research, strategic planning and financial projections.
Winner:
CoachLink SB (by Ethan Ball and Gage Minnie): An app that connects students with coaching opportunities for young athletes.
Ready, Set, Bake! by Shea Cogswell, Ilan Abramov, and Sofia Llewellyn: A baking kit with pre-measured ingredients for each recipe.
Zen Cycle by Viviana Galindo, Gracie Fedor, Sofia Orwig, Vanessa Ramirez: A monthly subscription providing women with essential products for their menstrual cycle.
The showcase was a replica of a trade show, allowing attendees to walk around the booths and interact with the student entrepreneurs. Participants included parents, members of the Santa Barbara community, and judges who provided feedback and selected the winners.
“It's inspiring to see the students' ideas come to life and develop into future business leaders,” said Taylor Bronson, marketing major.
San Marcos Entrepreneurship Academy is dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking. The Academy prepares students to navigate the challenges of the business world and make a positive impact in their communities.
The San Marcos Culinary Arts Program catered the event, providing a variety of snacks, drinks and sweets at Montecito Executive Suites in Santa Barbara. Students from both Marketing and Finance classes played key roles in the showcase presentations.
The judges for the event were:
Mike Chow, regional vice president of Jackson
Luis Villegas, vice president and director of community relations at Alliance Wealth Strategies
Ryan Judy, CEO of MOS Equipment
Amanda Benenati, vice president of marketing at MOS Equipment
Nick Bolton, Senior Vice President, Revenue and Customer Operations, ProducePay
Emma Najim, co-founder of Constructable
