Ruben Perez of Los Chiferos was one of five student business owners who won money at the Snellville Shark Tank Wednesday. From left are Rice Box owner Ken Chen, Tom Witts, owner of Georgia Property Restoration, Perez, Jennifer Fero, assistant principal and the Grayson Technical Education Program and Brand Bank Assistant Vice President Courtney Allen.
At 3 p.m. May 7, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, will be the site where local “Sharks” hear five business plan pitches from Gwinnett’s high school entrepreneurs. The five nominees will compete to win an iPad and business development services from local businesses.
The five student entrepreneur companies which made the cut for the May 7 finals and hope to be crowned Young Entrepreneur of the Year are:
• Los Chiferos Clothing, launched by Ruben Perez (South Gwinnett High School) [awarded $600]
• Blue Ezine, launched by Alexander Allen (South Gwinnett High School) [awarded $400]
• Weed’em and Reap, launched by Erica Mills and Caitlin Costello (Brookwood High School) [awarded $1,000]
• Gwinnett Entrepreneur, launched by Ezra Gebrekidan (Brookwood High School) [awarded $400]
• Sweet Treats, launched by Vivian Smith, Suhyr Beshir, Catherine Onyirimba (Central Gwinnett High School) [awarded $300]
Alexander Allen’s Blue e-magazine was a money-winning idea at the Snellville Shark Tank Wednesday. He will take part in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Shark Tank May 7.
In total 18 business concepts were pitched at two local Shark Tanks Wednesday and Thursday, juried by local entrepreneurs. The first round of Shark Tanks were held Snellville Lawrenceville in partnership with Novologic.
The award package for the Best Young Entrepreneur winner includes an IPad, a copy of Microsoft office 2013 (approx. $400), Andy Morgan, Esq. of the Morgan Law Group has donated a legal consultation to the winner. Hamilton Financial has donated two hours of consultation time; Business plan assistance from Business Plans and More valued at $2,500 and Webb, Tanner, Powell, Mertz & Wilson, LLP has donated two hours of consultation time. The Gwinnett Chamber invited all student businesses that pitched at last week’s Shark Tanks to participate in an exhibit/expo in the education room during the Best Young Entrepreneur Shark Tank session. The pitch session is an invitation only event. The expo is open to everyone.
