Young entrepreneurs tested their creative savvy by pitching business ideas to a panel of business professionals. Taking 1st place and a $1,000 prize was Laura Lavinder, of Tennessee High School, with her plan to deliver start-up gardening to people in need. The 2nd place award and $500 prize went to Mary Rose and Cole Haga, of Tennessee High School, with their ideas for ecofriendly landscaping. Honorable mention notice went to Maria Roth, also of Tennessee High School, for her plan to re-purpose used vinyl banners into designer bags. It’s All About Business was hosted by the Workforce Development office of the First Tennessee Development District.
The event was sponsored by Bank of Tennessee; Blackburn, Childers & Steagall; Northwestern Mutual; and Smarty Pants. Partners include BWXT, Cooper Standard, Sync.Space, Success Dynamics, and Northeast State. The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA and News Channel 11 served as media sponsors.