Bubbletaztiks, the winner of the 2008 BUILD Oakland Youth Business Plan Competition

2008 Oakland Youth Business Plan Competition

The Annual Business Plan Competition is the most exciting day at BUILD and this year was no different. On May 30th BUILD Oakland celebrated its 2nd annual competition with over 100 of students from 6 Oakland high schools presenting their original business ideas in front of esteemed panels of judges, while others sold their already manufactured products to event attendees.

“Good morning and welcome to the 2nd Annual Business Plan Competition,” Chantal Laurie, Oakland’s then Site Director enthusiastically welcomed the crowd, and she proceeded to explain how the day would unfold. The first round would take place in four separate rooms, with the winner of each room moving on to compete in the final round that afternoon.

Colorful Kicks, a customizable tennis shoe company from Oakland Tech, began their First Round presentation with a team member who was wearing a sample product doing a short dance routine. “This can be you for only $60-75,” another teammate announced as they immediately grabbed the judges’ attention and the room filled with laughter.

After each presentation, teams fielded tough questions from the judges. “How did you select your target market?” “What sets you apart from your competition?” “How will customers order your product?” Questions flew at the students testing their business acumen, their knowledge of their product as well as their poise and eloquence. Students had worked with their teams for the previous five months, had written a 30-page business plan and participated in three previous presentations to help them prepare for this big day, so they were ready for everything the judges threw their way.

During lunch, E3 and E4 teams sold their products at the Sales Bazaar. The goal was to decrease inventory and increase profits, and that is exactly what happened. The courtyard was lined with colorful T-shirts, customizable tote bags and more. It was difficult to walk by and not purchase something!

After lunch, more than 200 people crowded into Andersen Auditorium to see who would walk away with the 2008 Business Plan Competition title. Two teams from Lionel Wilson College Preparatory, one team from EXCEL High School and one team from Oakland High School competed. The panel of final round judges included the Editor of the Oakland Tribune, a member of the Federal Reserve Board, and the President of the Oakland School Board – and their questions were even more difficult than the first round judges. In the end, customizable soap company Bubbletaztiks from Oakland High took home the prize and their fellow students rushed onto the stage to congratulate them.

The Oakland Business Plan Competition was a great success, and the smiles of the students brightened the otherwise overcast Saturday into an illuminating event where we continued to BUILD the dream.