Business Students Compete as Finalists in Business Plan Competition

Photo Submitted

Business students with their mentors and coaches. From left to right: (back row) Kenneth Ford, Cameron Boyland, Dr. Gary Ferrier, (front row) Dr. Barbara Lofton, Brittney Brown, Allison Kinsey, and Rachel Dukes.

Four business students will compete in the Alley Scholars “Shark Tank” Challenge on Feb. 8. The competition, which will take place at the 2014 Alley Scholars Summit, challenges students to experience the entrepreneurial planning process by creating an innovative business plan for a new business venture.

The competition is a two-part challenge that requires teams to create a 30-page business report and then present their plan before a distinguished panel of judges. Though 25 teams from Arkansas and Texas originally entered the competition last November, only 4 will move on to present their business plans at the Alley Scholars Summit.

“Being a part of this competition has helped us gain exposure to the business development process,” said Brittney Brown, junior business economics major. “We’ve been able to put everything we’ve learned as Walton College students into practice.”

Aside from Brown, the Walton College team also includes Cameron Boyland, junior management major; Rachel Dukes, senior accounting major; and Allison Kinsey, junior accounting and marketing major.

Teams will be judged by CEOs from various businesses, including Shama Kabani, CEO of Marketing Zen; Bobby Lyle, CEO of Lyco Holdings; Bob Storey, CEO of Vapotherm; and Shawn Taylor, CEO of Zaxby’s. Monetary awards will be given to teams that place first, second, and third.

“We’re excited and nervous,” Brown said. “But with all the help and support from our mentors here at the Walton College, I’m confident that we’ll do well.”