80+ student competitors from across Kansas just rallied for their share of $70K in cash prizes

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MANHATTAN, Kansas — Aaron Collins walked away from the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge with not just $2,500, but also validation that he’s on the right track with his lawn care business, he shared.

Aaron Collins, Aaron’s Lawn Care, receives his Exemplary Award at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“It feels good,” the Leavenworth student noted of being one of seven businesses to earn an exemplary rating in the existing business category, “knowing that I was confident and bought a good business plan and know that I’m doing the right thing now.”

Eighty-one students from Kansas — representing 72 existing and conceptual businesses — participated in and took home more than $70,000 in cash prizes at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge — sponsored by Network Kansas, Kansas State University Research & Extension, and Kansas State University Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship — Tuesday at Kansas State University.

Student ventures ranged from an all-natural fertilizer made from bone meal and dog treats made from carrots and apples to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce car air fresheners and jewelry crafted from paper origami.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce inspired car fresheners from Katie Aubert’s Katies Car Freshies on display at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“We were all blown away by the student entrepreneurs that competed today,” said Chad Jackson, director of the K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “Every person I talked to — every judge — was just blown away by the quality and just the enthusiasm of the student entrepreneurs.”

The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge at Kansas State University in Manhattan; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge represents the culmination of a sequence of community-based entrepreneurship competitions — held across the state for students in grades 6-12 — known as the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge series.

During the event, students who successfully advanced from the series competed in three rounds of live mock board rooms, a trade show, and a networking game.

“I’ve gotten a lot of feedback on my business and got to network with people,” Collins noted. “I just got a better idea of how I should run my business.”

Collins launched Aaron’s Lawn Care during the pandemic, he shared.

“I was bored because it was COVID and asked my dad if we could go knock on some neighborhood doors,” he continued. “I came back with five clients and it’s grown ever since.”

Autumn Wynn, Bakers Box, poses with Willie the Wildcat during the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge in Manhattan; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Products featured in Autumn Wynn’s Bakers Box conceptual entry at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Goodland student Autumn Wynn earned a finalist rating and $1,700 for her business — Bakers Box — in the conceptual category.

“I like to do specialty cupcakes — cupcakes that are unique flavors,” she explained. “I like to experiment in the kitchen.”

She said the event helped her to become more comfortable — and less stressed — while networking.

“I’m very happy that I was able to use my skills to win some awards,” she added.

All student businesses that did not earn exemplary or finalist ratings took home $500.

Check out a photo gallery below from the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge below, then keep reading for more winners.

Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge Award Winners

Exemplary Rating — Existing Business, $2,500

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Tre Glasper, Tre’s Squeeze, LLC, showcases his venture at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Exemplary Rating — Conceptual business, $2,500:

Finalist Rating — Existing Business, $1,700:

Finalist Rating — Conceptual Business, $1,700:

• Greener Grass
• Enlightened Wellness
• Aerial View
• Bakers Box
• Sue’s Cattle
• Layton’s Show Cattle Embryos 
• DayWeb Media

Trade Show People’s Choice Awards:

YEC Champions: Heather Stamper-Voss, Liz Watson, Linda Haring, Brian Richter, Stephanie Maike, Beth Zimmerman, and Candis Meerpohl.

KDC Curriculum Certificate — $50: Autumn Waggoner, Autumn Wynn, Brady Childs, Caden Thomas, Grayson Maxwell, Hadley Graves, Norah Ellenz, Sydney Bailey, and Tyanna Burnett-Porter.