Microbusiness competition winners to develop, implement business plan this winter
Students compete for the opportunity to work with the OU INC to start their small business, aimed at providing meaningful employment for individuals with autism.
Oakland University’s first-ever microbusiness plan competition helps students in various disciplines design and generate business ideas that support the employment of people with autism.
“We are looking for the next business to add to our ventures,” said Amy Butler, executive director of OU INC, Oakland’s SmartZone Business Accelerator. “It’s helping to provide meaningful employment to individuals on the autism spectrum.”
The business plan competition is part of Oakland University’s new center for autism, where local prestigious organizations have collaborated to develop small businesses in Oakland County. The competition is sponsored by the Oakland University School of Business and School of Education and Human Services, the OU INC and the OU Credit Union.
“It is a great collaboration when you combine running a business and helping those in need.” said Pat Kemp, executive director of the small business venture. The first business, implemented last summer, is a pick-up, clean, fold and delivery laundry business.
Out of the numerous student business proposals submitted, only six teams were selected to pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts last week. Of those, three teams received cash awards and the opportunity to obtain funding to develop and implement their business plan during the winter semester with support from OU INC. Each team created a business plan with the intention of employing adults with autism to provide employment that will help identify skills in people across the spectrum.
Top 6 proposals:
Screen Printing Business (1st place) Braxton Fullenkamp, Management Information Systems Undergraduate student Braxton Fullenkamp created a screen-printing business plan that will provide marketing attire and other materials to OU student organizations. This microbusiness will allow employees to enhance detail-oriented skills effectively. Fresh Fridge (2nd place) Preeti Vij Gulati, Counseling Graduate student Preeti Vij Gulati developed a plan for The Fresh Fridge, which will partner with the Campus Student Organic Farm as well as local farmers to provide locally grown organic produce to customers. This plan will help employees develop skills in an in-demand field.
Inland Shrimp Farm (3rd place)Phillip Johnson, Finance and Accounting Undergraduate student Phillip Johnson created a plan focused around shrimp farming, which will provide fresh seafood without the use of antibiotics, toxins, polluted water, or environmentally destructive harvesting practices.
Online Grocery Delivery Service
Ryan Aman, Pre-Business and Jessica Humiston (not pictured), Counseling
Undergraduate student Ryan Aman has paired up with counseling graduate student Jessica Humiston to create an online grocery delivery service. The business will allow employees to enhance social skills, build confidence, and develop job skills through the home delivery of grocery products.
Pet Daycare
Asma Elj, IT Management Business school graduate student Asma Elj created the concept for a pet daycare, which would offer grooming and training services with the potential for business growth. Elj states that studies have proven the compatibility individuals on the autism spectrum have with pets, and feels this connection would be beneficial to both client and employee.
Care Package Delivery
Nathan Ziolko, Business
MBA student Nathan Ziolko developed an idea to deliver care packages of food, including personalized snacks and goodies. This will help employees develop social skills and promote creativity.
Students compete for the opportunity to work with the OU INC to start their small business, aimed at providing meaningful employment for individuals with autism.
Created by Colleen Campbell (cjcampbell@oakland.edu) on Friday, December 5, 2014 Modified by Colleen Campbell (cjcampbell@oakland.edu) on Friday, December 5, 2014 Article Start Date: Friday, December 5, 2014
