Business Pitches Impress at Be Your Own Boss Camp

Be Your Own Boss Shark Tank finalists are ready to pitch their ideas

Overall Winner Mila’s Bakery in a Box

Be Your Own Boss Summer Camp concluded with a “bang” on Friday with an Expo and “Shark Tank” pitch competition!

Campers spent the week developing a business plan, including production, cost, market research, funding, and even a tradeshow-style expo to present their work.  They pitched their business ideas to a group of peers, who then voted for their favorites.  Four business went on to the finals, a “Shark Tank” pitch to four shark judges who awarded a booth at YouthBiz Marketplace as the top prize.  Judges included: Natasha Clements, Artist and Owner of KingPepper (and Be Your Own Boss Alum!), Anna Leer, Vice President of YouthBiz at Young Americans Center, Michael Maloney, finance expert, and Maite Wantwadi, YouthBiz Coordinator at Young Americans Center.

The competition was fierce!  Remi, creator of Brainy Boxes, curbs youth boredom by making pencil cases full of fun activities.  Color Bond, owned by step siblings William, Lucas, Sophia, and Francesca, sells colorful scented candles to brighten up your day.  Mila’s Bakery in a Box delivers a box containing everything needed to whip up delicious treats, including cupcakes, pies, and cakes.  And Garrett’s Taett Web business takes website building to a whole new level for youth interested in having more design options and fewer advertisements–all for free.

After an intense deliberation, the judges returned with their awards:

• Most Realistic – Brainy Boxes
• Best Financial Planning – Taett Web
• Best Presentation – Color Bond
• Overall Winner – Mila’s Bakery in a Box

Overcome with emotion, Mila said that the stress of presenting her business in front of students, parents, staff, and judges was worth it.  “I just want to get my products out there so I can make even more,” she said.  She’ll definitely be at YouthBiz Marketplace in the fall, so be sure to save the dates of Saturday, December 2 and Saturday, December 9.

Congratulations to all campers for their hard work all week!