11 market, structure, financial viability, and market opportunity), and overall pitch style. Before announcing the winners, Dean Anne Carroll, addressed the crowd saying, “For me this is one of the most fun events that we put on during the academic year, and it’s so great to get a window into the minds of young people and where they see opportunity; it’s inspiring.” All contestants received feedback from all four judges and were strongly encouraged to keep working toward their excellent business ideas. Fliegelman took home the first-place award of $2,500 with the business idea of the Fliegelman Music Video Network (FMVN). The network would have a hosting format like that of VH1, MTV, and Turner Classic Movies. The idea is to introduce music videos with information about the artists. Fliegelman was very thorough with financial and marketing strategies and took time to describe IP requirements and copyright costs for the platform’s song selection. Fliegelman’s dedication to his concept, detailed plan execution, and delivery earned him the first-place position. While talking with Fliegelman, he expressed that “It’s important to at least pitch your concept to someone so that you know whether it’s going to take off or not.” He disclosed that he did not expect to make it to the competition, let alone earn first place. Misselhorn presented the innovative idea of the Boomba, winning the second-place award of $1,500. The product is a-play-on-words with the Roomba vacuum model designed to clean up trash on the beach. Misselhorn spent much of her free time as a child on the beach developing a consideration for its care and maintenance. Speaking of the experience, Misselhorn said, “If I’m being honest, I was very nervous, but once I got up there, I was passionate about my idea and led with that.” Wetzel, a music performance major and winner of the $1,000 third-place award presented her idea of The Valley Theater. The concept is a venue for new artists as they branch out into the performance world of music. Wetzel said, “Everyone had amazing ideas which have inspired me to put more ideas into my business.” The other three contestants all had interesting business ideas: Vargas-Elvira presented The Vargas Rental Store La Musica bringing sound equipment rentability to Latin musical performers in the Reading Area. Growing up amongst a family of musicians greatly inspired his business idea for the competition. Wells, focused on bringing his passion for boxing (being a 1-0 fighter himself) to Kutztown with his idea of a Boxing Gym that would train boxers and provide opportunities for them to spar with neighboring gyms. Noska, a commercial music major, presented the idea of a live music venue called The Stage, which would attract music lovers, and provide space for music majors and teachers to perform and congregate while containing a bar and food menu. The night ended with each of the winners displaying broad smiles that expressed a bit of shock and pride, as well as gigantic-sized checks, and the coveted lightbulbshaped Business Idea Competition trophy in the hands of the three winners. It will be exciting to see how each of the six contestant’s ideas progress as these KU students enhance the greater Kutztown Community and the world. Jason Fliegelman was presented the first-place prize of $2,500 by Associate Dean, Dr. Jeff Wehrung. Ken Ritter (Judge and COO of HEYCO Metals), Janine Birch (Judge and Marketing Manager for Wehrung's Lumber and Home Center), Emma Wetzel (3rd place winner), Jason Fliegelman (1st place winner), Sarah Misselhorn (2nd place winner), John Dever (Judge and Business Consultant with KU SBDC), and John Stetler (Judge and Director of KU SBDC)
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