A small cosmetics business offering natural, herbal based remedies was announced as the winner of the Emporia Entrepreneur Challenge today. Megan Allen, founder of Nfusion, received a $2,500 cash prize. Allen competed against 17 teams from Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia State University during the community showcase that was held this afternoon in the Memorial Union at Emporia State.
The competition, which began in February, consisted of three rounds: a business proposal review, oral presentation and community showcase. Teams were judged on concept, feasibility, market potential, business model and understanding of competition. The original pool of submissions consisted of 37 teams, and finalists were announced today at approximately 11:45 a.m. following judges’ deliberations.
Nfusion, which is currently in the startup stage, is a small, natural cosmetic business that offers natural, herbal-based remedial salves, lip balms, lotions and other skin care products.
“I am really glad to have entered the EEC; the judges have given lots of great feedback,” said Allen. “Winning the competition will allow me to get my products retail ready. I plan to use the prize money to get my website up and going and look into insurance for my business.”
Allen participated in the Start Your Own Business class this spring and is currently enrolled in the Graphic Arts Technology program at Flint Hills Technical College.
“The Emporia Entrepreneur Challenge is a wonderful learning opportunity for our students, and we are grateful for the partnership with the ESU School of Business,” said Dean Hollenbeck, president of Flint Hills Technical College. “FHTC congratulates all of the students who competed this year, and we’re especially proud of Megan Allen and her representation of our Graphic Arts Technology program and Start Your Own Business class.”
Second place, and $1,500, was awarded to Ebrahim Kayali for The Disabled Helper. This product is an IR circuit used to control campus doors by remote control making opening doors easier for students with disabilities.
Karen Martinez won third place and $500 for her business concept, KATHI, a healthy café alternative serving natural juices and sandwiches.
Community members were invited to cast their vote for “Best in Show” based on displays and interactions with the competitors. Allen also won this category with Nfusion, leaving a strong impression on spectators.
“The EEC brings students from different academic backgrounds together to explore entrepreneurship,” said Dr. John Rich, interim dean and professor of accounting in the ESU School of Business. “The success of this event comes from the collaboration across campus, working together with our friends at Flint Hills Technical College and a tremendous amount of community support.”
Judges for the first round of the competition included; Dr. Antonina Bauman, Dr. Jeffrey Muldoon and Dr. James Zheng, Emporia State faculty; and Susan Fowler, an information management consultant. Judges for the second and final rounds included Rich Avery, Pizza Ranch & DG Wingz; Rick Becker, Mulready’s Pub; Lisa Brumbaugh, Kansas Small Business Development Center; Casey Woods, Emporia Main Street; and Greg Yotz, Vektek.
As the overall competition winner, Allen will travel to Manhattan in late April to represent Emporia in the Kansas Entrepreneur Challenge at Kansas State University.
Teams who presented during the Community Showcase:
- Wenchen Fan, ESU, American Education Overseas
- Roberto Lara, ESU, EEEM
- Leah Uridge, Alex Turley and Harriel Mack, ESU, Fetcher’s
- Jiapeng Huang, ESU, Go Abroad
- Seth Akpovona, ESU, Gust Pan
- Ikbal Ben Gaid Hassine and Moaz Al Nouri, ESU, Jasmine Initiative
- Hank Osterhout, ESU, Kansas Free For Arts
- Karen Martinez, ESU, KATHI
- Laura Segovia, FHTC, Mother’s Day Out
- Megan Allen, FHTC, Nfusion
- Ebrahim Kayali, ESU, The Disabled Helper
- Ahmad Alaliwi and Morad Morad, ESU, SEE- Space of Electrical Engineering
- Andreas Muller, ESU, Share Your Car
- Houston Sober, ESU, Sip N’ Chips
- Mike White, Farahn Sadique and Chris King, ESU, Stache Glass
- Garrett Stout, ESU, VendMe
- Jason Hart, ESU, Meadowlark Imaging