More than 40 competitors present at the annual Empower Your Dreams competition
More than 40 business student teams competed in the annual Empower Your Dreams competition. The top three winners were:
1. Shoesiety by Michael Valiant and Dandy Nugraha
2. Virtuso by Elena Nicole Tippets, Mace De Guzman Gamil and Francis Gomez
3. YOI by Samuel Suzuki
Cash prizes were given to the winners during the awarding ceremony held at the Heber J. Grant Building. First place winner, Shoesiety received a $6,000 check. Second-place winners received $5,000 and the third-place winner received $4,000.
Shoesiety Bags first place
Michael Valiant, a freshman from Indonesia majoring in business management, said their missionary experiences inspired their business. Valiant added Shoesiety focuses on solving the problem of smelly shoes. "In our culture, it is necessary to take off one’s shoes when entering someone’s house, and we noticed that at times, it has become a problem,” he said. Shoesiety started in August 2022 and is based in Indonesia, said Valiant.
Dandy Nugraha, a freshman from Indonesia majoring in computer science, said they started the business immediately after their missions. “In the process, we did our own research through the help of a mentor back home who specializes in chemical formulas,” he explained.
Difficulties with distance and communication were present when they started making plans for the business, said Nugraha. “But success is bound to happen if people are willing to try. You’ll never know if you don’t try,” he added.
Awards ceremony
According to willescenter.byuh.edu, the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship Business Competitions at BYU-Hawaii, funds and aims to align with BYUH’s mission, to prepare students to be leaders and strengthen communities. The competition caters to teams ranging from one to four people.
Five judges were invited to judge the competition and announce the winners at the awarding ceremony held last April 4.
Choosing winners required robust discussions among five judges, said Joanna Ormond, an alumni from Australia and executive director/owner at ESC Corporation. “We judged based on sustainability, your knowledge, how you present your business, and based on criteria from the mission of the Willes Center and BYUH,” she added. Ormond encourages students to say yes to opportunities. “You don’t want to regret anything so when opportunities come. Just say yes!” she added.
Corey Blake, an alumnus and senior brand director of Boncom, said the students of BYUH have so much potential. “As I visit every time, I honestly say it is not going to get much better than the last time, but every time I am surprised at how great the students are doing,” he added.
A $500 scholarship was given to Christmas Island Shuttle & Car Rental, Get Connected, Kiddett, Medease, Pinoy CCTV Security, Rockasbing, and USA Connect as part of the prizes for the rest of the top 10. A $200 scholarship for “Best Show” was given to HI Delivery based on a public booth showcase judged by an audience.