Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Small Business Center recently wrapped up another year of the award-winning “Camp Enterprise” program. This year’s program kicked off with a keynote presentation from special speaker, former news anchor Molly Grantham and concluded with presentations at the HUB Station in Hudson on March 21 from each of the four student teams who participated in the program.
Grantham’s keynote address was titled “Bet on Yourself” and detailed how she took a familiar phrase from her childhood and used it to motivate her transition from anchor with local television affiliate, WBTV, to her work now as an author and motivational speaker.
Following the opening session, this year’s Camp Enterprise teams, which included 17 high school students from across Caldwell County, spent three days working on leadership skills, learning more about developing and writing successful business plans, how to pitch a business concept, networking, how to talk with financial advisors, and other essential skills for building success as a small business owner.
The Camp Enterprise Program, which was developed through collaboration with Impact Rotary Club of the Foothills, CCC&TI’s Small Business Center, the Town of Hudson and Caldwell County Schools, was the 2023 recipient of the state-wide “Excellence in Innovation Award in Services/Collaboration” at the Small Business Center Annual Professional Development Conference. The three-day bootcamp experience is designed to encourage and inspire students to think like entrepreneurs and provide a solid foundational knowledge of ethical business practices to help guide them along the path to success. Additional sponsors for this year’s program include Google, Paragon Design Group, Blue Ridge Energy, HUB Station, First Citizens Bank, Believe, Car Guys and Chick-Fil-A Smiths Crossroads.
Students interested in participating in Camp Enterprise must submit an application and an essay that details why they are interested in the program and learning more about entrepreneurship. Applicants are narrowed down to the top 20 students and then divided into four teams. Each team is assigned a community leader as a coach and a student mentor from those who participated in the program in a previous year.
Each team prepared detailed presentations that included business plans, marketing strategies, funding sources, and other details along with websites, social media profiles, and a number of other strategies to ensure their business plan’s success. Students made their presentations live to a panel of judges made up of community business leaders.
Team 1 was coached by Kathryn Woods and was comprised of Jaylany Almonte (South Caldwell High School Junior), Bryson Edwards, (West Caldwell High School Junior), Angelina Sormani (Hibriten High School Senior), Summerlin Gragg (HHS Senior) and Alexis Hamby (SCHS Senior). Camp Enterprise Alumnus George Hocsak served as Team 1’s mentor. Their project centered telemedicine service for pets that connects pet owners with veterinarians via video call for real-time advice from the comfort of their home.
Team 2 was coached by Harrison Longano and was comprised of Carlee Kirby (SCHS Sophomore), Xavier Ferguson (WCHS Junior), Joy Sogoc (HHS Sophomore) and Khian Oates (SCHS Junior). Camp Enterprise Alumna Hannah Tucker served as mentor. Team 2’s project was an outdoor adventure service that would pair groups of hikers or those interested in exploring the outdoors with an experienced guide and itinerary.
Team 3 was coached by Kendall Triplett and was comprised of Noah Bolden (SCHS Junior), Jay Maxwell (WCHS Senior), Zeblin Smith (WCHS Senior) and Samantha Buenrostro (SCHS Sophomore.) Camp Enterprise Alumna Lauren Brittain served as Team 3’s mentor. Team 3’s project, “Ceramic Soul Pottery” would provide a creative outlet for stress management and relaxation while allowing individuals to explore the art of pottery, pottery painting, and print making with hands-on experience and instruction. The business would provide patrons with instruction and materials to create their own works of art and personal keepsakes while also providing opportunities to engage with community members and others interested in the arts.
Team 4 was coached by Lee Ann Luman and was comprised of Eli Speagle (SCHS Junior), Daniel Portillo (WCHS Senior) Ella Dillard (HHS Sophomore) and Kyra Westerfield (SCHS Junior). Camp Enterprise Alumnus David Young served as Team 4’s mentor. Team 4’s project centered around providing high-quality sports fields and fitness spaces which provide venues and spaces for sports teams to train, compete, and hold tournaments, as well as provide event spaces for parties and corporate gatherings.
The judges for this year were HUB Station Director Addie Cardwell-Faber; Brad Hefner, Google Lenoir’s Operations Manager; Tyler Reese with Blue Ridge Energy; and First Citizens Bank Senior Vice President, Mark Transou.
The judges ultimately awarded the win to Team 3’s “Ceramic Soul Pottery Studio” proposal. Each student on the winning team received a $500 CCC&TI Scholarship, as well as bragging rights for their hard work and detailed plan. All student participants received a Chrome Book, mouse, mouse pad and thumb drive sponsored by Google.
For more information on CCC&TI’s Small Business Center, visit www.cccti.edu/smallbusiness, call 828-726-3065, or visit the Small Business Center at the HUB Station in downtown Hudson, NC.
