In a unanimous decision, San Diego Mesa College students Tyler Aloe, of Pacific Beach, and Celine Ahearn, of North Park, earned first place in the statewide “Get a Taste of Success” Business Plan Pitch Competition. Aloe and Ahearn presented their winning pitch for Take ‘N’ Charge – mobile kiosks that rent chargers for mobile devices – live in front of a panel of business experts at the Small Business Summit in Sacramento, which took place in June.
The team of Aloe and Ahearn were one of three community college teams to advance to the statewide finals after besting other teams in 10 regional competitions across the state. The other two college teams were “Inspired Aquaponics” from Cañada College, and “SkyScout” from Irvine Valley College.
Aloe and Ahearn were awarded $2,000 in addition to business marketing and service packages to promote and launch their business. Their pitch also attracted potential investors from the audience. Aloe, along with Class of 2015 valedictorian Celine Ahearn, pitched their idea for Take ‘N’ Charge, which helps smartphone and tablet users keep their devices charged. Take ‘N’ Charge features strategically placed kiosks where mobile device users can rent a pre-charged power bank for smartphones and tablets. Used chargers can then be returned to any location. Take ‘N’ Charge has already been rolled out in select locations throughout San Diego. In fact, some of the mobile kiosks are being placed at select restaurants in Pacific Beach.
“Mesa has been a great place to learn the fundamentals of business,” said Aloe, who cited Mesa College assistant business professor Howard Eskew as an integral part of Take ‘N’ Charge development. “Celine and I learned the importance of financial budgeting and preparing for the future in professor Eskew’s financial accounting class.”
Eskew encouraged his students to enter the competition. Among those that did, the “Take ‘N’ Charge” proposal rose to the top and made the final cut.
“Ty and Celine’s efforts are a great testimony to the potential, talent and power that our students have to create, develop and impact our community,” remarked Eskew, who accompanied Aloe and Ahearn to the final round. “Their hard work and the dedication and diligence shown by the faculty, administration and staff at Mesa allows our students to continue to make positive contributions to Mesa and the San Diego community at large,” he said. The “Get a Taste of Success” statewide Business Plan Pitch Competition is sponsored by the Small Business Sector of the California Community Colleges (www.GETaTASTEofSUCCESS.com). The Small Business Summit featured ten locations across the state tied together via high definition videoconference to share a keynote speaker, presentations by faculty entrepreneurship champions, and the business plan pitch finals.