Mason Students Shine in Business Plan Competition

Students earn $1,600 in prizes for competing in an Entrepreneurship Club contest

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Miranda Dudley, a senior studying accounting, knows what girls and women want: accessories.

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She created a business plan for a company she dubbed OhSnap! which won the 2010 Mason Business Plan Competition on April 14, 2010.

In her executive summary, Dudley wrote, "Young girls to middle aged women love their accessories whether for their hair, purse, shoes, or any other item." OhSnap! is a line of accessories that can be used with a variety of clothing. They are attached by simply snapping in and out at the wearer's whim. Dudley was awarded $1,000 for her plan.

While her business plan was strong, Ned Marcalus MBA '10, President of the MBA Entrepreneurship Club, cited her ability to pitch an idea, as the reason for her success.

"Miranda did a masterful job of selling her proposed business plan and positioning OhSnap! as a niche fashion accessory," he said.

Here are the other competition winners:

• Second place ($300) - Kirk Roberts MBA '11, for Concrete Jack, a concrete leveling service in Northern Virginia.
• Third place (tie) ($100) - Anna Perry MBA '11, for A Day at the Beach, a catering service which delivers waterside.
• Third place (tie) ($100) - Tiffany Bregovi MBA '10, for Modern Motion Dance, a dance company aimed at increasing fitness and self-esteem in women of all ages.
• Third place (tie) ($100) - Yael Gilboa, a senior, for Young Masters Tutoring, a service intended to capture the market of upper middle class, educated cream-of -the-crop professionals who want their children to get an outstanding education.

The preliminary round of the competition called for participants to write an executive summary and perform a two minute elevator pitch. For the finals, participants gave a  20-minute presentation with a 10-minute question and answer period. They were judged by Dan Akerson, Managing Director of The Carlyle Group; David Nygaard, Owner of David Nygaard Fine Jewelers; Neil Robinson, Attorney at Law; and Michael Sahady, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Avid Medical.

Organized by Prof. Richard Ash, the competition was the joint effort of the graduate and undergraduate Entrepreneurship Clubs. These organizations aim to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit in students and provide support to move their business aspirations forward. The clubs serve as a forum where the diverse student body discusses and exchanges business ideas.

About The College of William and Mary:

The College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia is one of the nation's premier public universities and believes that excellence in teaching is the key to unlocking intellectual and personal possibilities for students. Dedicated to this philosophy, the College provides high-quality undergraduate, graduate and professional education that prepares students to make significant contributions to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.

As the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and educational home to many early American leaders, The College is revered as the "alma mater of a nation." Its Mason School of Business embraces the entrepreneurial spirit that built the country atop a foundation of business, trade, and economics. Its revolutionary approach to business education and its personalized, experiential model invites energetic thinkers with a will to lead in creating a strong sustainable economy and thriving society.

SOURCE The Mason School of Business at The College of William and Mary