My Experience at YEA!
Oh, Finally! On March 24, 14 YEA! businesses presented to a 13-investor panel with our business PowerPoints. Each of the investors was a representative of a company in the Rochester area. One of the investors was a past Young Entrepreneurs Academy student whose business had been very successful. Her success is really amazing and proves that our businesses can actually be profitable and thriving.
A few weeks before the panel, we went on a fieldtrip to a Scott Miller in Pittsford, NY, a local salon, to learn about personal appearance and proper dress. We all looked spectacular in our formal business attire. Before the actual presentations, there was a one-hour “meet and greet” in the foyer. Everyone was nervously practicing his/her handshakes and elevator speeches with his/her fellow YEA! students beforehand. It was great opportunity to impress the investors and their position in the business world.
That night was so exciting! After the six minutes maximum presentations, the panel asked three questions per business. I felt very confident answering the questions and I think my impressive responses pleased the investors. I was asked about the research I had done by Mr. Bruce Zicari from the Bonadio Group. I was asked two more questions by Ms. Allana Lazeroff a Genesee Regional Bank and John Schoenberger of Wegmans.
Even though the whole talking-in-public thing really isn’t my area of expertise, I felt like a natural. Every business had to request a certain amount of money to cover their start-up costs. Some people received much more than their requested amount while others were completely underfunded. I received $950, the third highest amount in the class! I also got a TV deal: Channel 10 is going to feature me (and classmate Priyanka—Intense India) a local business television show. I stepped off that stage overflowing with pride and contentment of my great achievement.
Check back next time for more class updates!
Congrats Claire!!
Sounds like you had a fantastic experience!
Marita
Follow the paw prints to Profits…
…at the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Trade Show
on Saturday, June 5th
10AM – 2PM
Eastview Mall, Victor
I will be presenting my project, Fetch, Run, and Play!, a portable dog play area for dog-owning residents of retirement communities. Even if these residents have difficulty walking or limited mobility, Fetch, Run, and Play! offers a weather-protected, enclosed space for seniors and their guests to exercise their dogs in a convenient, safe environment.
The ideal customer for my concept is a retirement community looking to enhance the amenities for their residents, or a dog care service business looking to provide a unique offering to expand their market share.
The big work is already done and the concept is ready for implementation. Be the first among your competition with this service for dog-loving seniors!
Hope to see you on Saturday, June 5th at Eastview Mall from 10-2 to present this exciting opportunity.
Claire Siegrist
Claire, you’ve done a fantastic job with this, not only your excellent idea (of which I am a fan!), but your implementation and the great articles you’ve shared on this blog. Keep up the great work!