Waldport High School sophomore Judah Tysman has $3,000 in prizes to some day help start his taxidermy business.
Judges in the inaugural Youth Entrepreneurship Program “Shark Tank” pitch competition on Wednesday voted Tysman’s presentation on his taxidermy business as the best among five competitors. Held at Hatfield Marine Science Center auditorium, the event featured five high school finalists presenting their business ideas to a panel of judges and an audience of more than 100 community members.
Twenty high school students took part in the youth entrepreneurship program. It was part of Oregon Coast Community College’s Small Business Development Center, which started the program in January to give high school aged students the opportunity to explore the world of business startups. Participants learned about idea generation, business planning, and marketing strategies culminating in the development and presentation of their own business plans.
The $7,500 in prizes were funded by Northwest Oregon Works, the city of Lincoln City and Lincoln County. Other support came from the Lincoln County School District and the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County.
Other winners were:
- Second Place: Grayson Cook, South Beach Christian School, $1,500 in prizes for his mobile dog-grooming business plan and an additional $500 for being the audience’s choice winner;
- Third Place: Merin Wallace, Toledo High School, $1,000 in prizes for her business, “Bits & Bobs,” which specializes in fantasy-themed items which she manufactures and sells;
- Fourth Place: Colin Kimberly, Newport High School, $500 in prizes for his plan to use resin 3D printers to create made-to-order items for tourists and locals; and
- Fifth Place: Kaylani Kittel, South Beach Christian School, $500 for her business, a subscription-based plan to sell kits and supplies to runners and fitness enthusiasts.
The program was started by Kelliane Parker, the lead adviser in the college’s small business development center who said ” … we look forward to bringing this program back next year – and the year after that.” Parker encouraged high school students with a passion for innovation to enroll in the next youth entrepreneurship program, plans for which and will be announced later this summer.
