On Tuesday, Apr. 16, the Ivy Venture Club and the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation teamed up for the Ivy Business Showcase, a marketplace of goods and services by student entrepreneurs, and the Ivy Pitch Competition, where the student entrepreneurs pitched their business concepts to a panel of judges, Shark Tank-style.
Held in Illinois Fall Creek Center’s (IFC) Bowen Commons, the Ivy Business Showcase kicked off the event, where students, staff, faculty, donors, and community members learned more about each small business and its owner while discovering ways to support our student entrepreneurs.
Here is a list of all of the students and their businesses that participated:
- Angela Kloss
- Unsung Heroes
- Liza
- Liza & Suzy Trucking
- Marvin Boss
- M B's Carpentry
- Ramon Rendon
- RR Hats
- Kudesha Russell
- Russell Beauty
- Crystal Walker
- Boss Choices & We Matter
- Lena Dickerson
- Joyful Services & Joyful Inc
- Faith Evans
- Form Fitting
- Shawn Haymaker
- Shawn Haymaker Therapy
- Trynessa Bunton-Abercrombie
- Custom Coated Candles
- Shelda Paul
- Tax Prepare and Immigration
- Benita Obasuyi
- Benny's Beadings
- Leslie Morgan
- Mystique Astrology Center
- Eric Karnehm
- Grappling Ghost
- Zion Lofton
- Exotic Gear
- Titiana Dance
- MUSE Cafe
- Jennifer Kelly
- Elevated Image Suites
- Ruth Shandale-Todd
- Ruthy's Munchies
- Greg Person
- SMPLY DRVN
- Anthony Hayes
- I Eat We All Eat
Following the showcase, seven student entrepreneurs competed in the pitch contest for investment money. The judges consisted of Anthony Murdock, faculty director of Butler University's Minority-Owned Business Initiative; Sara Norris, principal of When You Leave The Room, LLC; Soroya Garner, of Soroya Garner Law, LLC; and Tracy Palmer, owner of Getting To The Root with Tracy Palmer.
Coming in at first place was Jennifer 'Kelz' Kelly, who pitched her business, Elevated Image Suites, winning $1,500. Eric Karnehm came in second place with his business Grappling Ghost, earning him a $500 award. Faith Evans took third place with her business, Form Fitting Custom Clothing, for $250.
The judges also ranked and awarded the rest of the contestants. The full ranking is as follows:
- 1st place: Jennifer ‘Kelz’ Kelly, Elevated Image Suites - $1,500
- 2nd Place: Eric Karnehm, Grappling Ghost - $500
- 3rd Place: Faith Evans, Form Fitting Custom Clothing - $250
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4th Place: Tatiana Dance, MUSE Cafe - $100
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5th Place: Trynessa Bunton-Abercrombie, Custom Coated Candles - $100
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6th Place: Leslie Morgan, Mystique Astrology Center - $50
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7th Place: Shelda Paul, Immigrant CPA Tax Services - $50
Learn more about the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
