As part of an anything-but-typical workshop series, Villa Maria’s Achieve students had the opportunity to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test – Shark Tank-style.
The students collaborated in small groups, working together to create a mission statement supporting a unique business idea. When their planning was complete, each group pitched their ideas to the sharks, hoping to earn a hypothetical investment into their business.
“Speaking as one of the sharks, our students did a great job,” said Mary Robinson, Villa Maria’s Vice President for Development. “The teams devised creative and well-thought-out business ideas and plans to fund their start-up companies. The actual Shark Tank experience required that they “think on their feet” as they answered questions from the Sharks. My fellow sharks and I didn’t hold back, and I was very impressed with their poise and their responses.”
Shark Adam Moore, Villa Maria’s Vice President for Finance, agreed that the students and their work were exceptional.
“I was delighted to be a part of the Achieve Shark Tank project and event,” said Moore. “The experience encouraged students to think critically about a business idea that is important to them and focused on helping others. Their ability to think outside the box and present as a team was impressive!”
Director of Student Success Alissa Kowalski and Achieve Parent Committee member Kim Petri rounded out the team of sharks.
In the end, the sharks selected Pixel Vision as the competition’s winner.
Pixel Vision was created by Alex Benedetto, Michael Anderson, Nick Matheny, Zenith Murdoch, and Eddie Koelbl.
Their mission statement is as follows: “We at Pixel Vision are seeking to create a digital portfolio with an interactive screen for all schools and colleges. This device will be helpful for students and future employers by showing off all the work a student has done throughout the years.”
Collin Frankenburger, Mitchell Law, Sarah Salisbury, Alijah Morris, and Bernardo Medina proposed Chromatiform Studios, which makes great quality games with new innovations in song composition compatibility.
Annie Leeds, Ryan Santiago, and Zyion Salter created Art Interactive, a not-for-profit organization providing the community with digital art lessons. Lessons will include perspectives on technological software programs to educate individuals on non-traditional art forms.
Shark Tank at Villa provided an in-depth exploration of the principles, challenges, and strategies involved in starting and operating a small business. Students learned about entrepreneurship, business planning, management, marketing, and financial management essential for business ownership success.
The interactive workshop was led by CJ Banks, Villa Maria’s Vice President for Career Advancement, and Jill Manka, the Achieve Program’s Career Readiness Specialist. It combined the students’ coursework with real-world applications in a dynamic and fun atmosphere that allowed students to let their creativity take the reins.
“Our Achieve Students worked together to use the talents and skills that they’ve acquired here at Villa and combined it with their creativity to build a business plan that would be useful and inventive to consumers,” said Manka. “They then had to step out of their comfort zones and present and sell their business plans to four very business-savvy staff here at Villa. I did not envy the Sharks for having to choose just one winner! Everyone involved, including the students, was impressed with their accomplishments.”
“In a world where all individuals are not provided equal opportunities for success, fostering a mindset of innovation and resilience is crucial,” Banks. “By embracing challenges and thinking creatively, we pave the way for groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Programs that inspire entrepreneurial skills empower individuals to become the leaders and problem solvers of tomorrow.”
By the end of the Achieve Career Workshops, students developed an entrepreneurial mindset—a valuable skill that allows them to spot opportunities and confidently tackle challenges. Whether they are ultimately looking to launch a business or bring fresh, innovative ideas to their career, this entrepreneurial mindset is a powerful asset that will set them apart in any field.
