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Biz Camp Participants Impress Judges

Metanoia’s goal of generating economic development was furthered this month when students participating in Metanoia’s summer Biz Camp had the opportunity to pitch creative business ideas to a panel of judges.  The event took place at the Cummins Marine Manufacturing Company in North Charleston.  For three weeks leading up to their presentations, students spent their afternoons with Biz Camp coach Richard Glickman, coming up with ideas for a business they would like to have.  The students learned marketing and entrepreneurship skills, as well as tips on selling their ideas to a panel of judges, with professionalism and poise. 

The judging panel was comprised of 6 distinguished individuals and friends of Metanoia: Keon Rhodan, businessman and owner of several North Charleston Subway franchises; Dr. Benjamin Brockington, former school principal and college professor; Charles Larsen, retired investment broker; Ayesha Washington, local attorney and youth mentor; Connor McIntyre, IT project leader for Cummins, and Frank Smith, last year’s Biz Camp teacher.  Judges were asked to score each presenter on a variety of areas, including presentation and strength of concept.

Students addressed the judging panel one by one, having dressed professionally and creating a display board outlining their businesses plans.  Judges saw proposals for such creative businesses, as ‘Mike Mike Motors,’ a lawnmower repair service and ‘Ripping Designs,’ a custom basketball wear designer.  Many students handed out business cards they printed to the judges. 

Each student gave a brief proposal and answered any questions the judges had.  After each presenter was finished, the judges offered their feedback on how the student did, and gave advice on both improving their business pitch and becoming a more effective speaker.  After all the students had been given a chance to present, the judges and Mr. Glickman addressed the Biz Camp members as a whole to offer their congratulations. 

When the scores were tallied, Travonte, a 7^th grader at the Military Magnet High School, took third place with his DJing business, ‘Money Maker Records.’  Arnay, 8^th grader at the Military Magnet, took second place with her idea for a day care and development center called ‘Arnay’s ChildHOOD.’  And Victor, a 7^th grader at the Charter School for Math and Sciences, took home first place with his idea for ‘New Hip Bags,’ a business that would customize backpacks.

The Biz Camp is a great example of how Metanoia seeks to not only get students more engaged in financial literacy at an early age, but to empower our youth to come up with a singular idea and be proud of it.  It was hard for many of the students to get up in front of their peers and adults whom they did not know to present their ideas, but each student represented him and herself with the pride and enthusiasm that makes them young leaders in our community.