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Competitors in the Northern Region Student Entrepreneur Awards competition are not typical college students. In addition to worrying about papers, tests, and weekend plans, each competitor also juggles the responsibilities of owning a business. This spring, they were rewarded for their dedication to being both undergraduate students and small business owners.
On April 1, the winners of the 2005 Northern Region competition were announced. Brett Nunnenkamp took first place, winning $2,000 and a chance to compete for $10,000 in the 2005 Global Student Entrepreneur™ Awards held in October at the Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization (CEO) Conference in Orlando. Jonathan Hilliard was named second place and took home $1,500. Steve Saltzman received $500 for third place. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Mike Corkle, Matthew Hauff, and Lisa Dobbs and Lori Petoske.
Brett attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he is studying Horticulture-Production. He is also the owner of The Country Pumpkin, a business that produces and sells wholesale and retail pumpkins, gourds, squash, and ornamental corn. He started The Country Pumpkin in 1997 and has developed new products and increased in size ever since. As the winner of the Northern Region, Brett will be going on an all expense-paid trip to Orlando for the Global Competition where he has the chance to compete against entrepreneurs from around the world for $10,000.
Jonathan is a Business Administration major at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. He owns Used-Cell-Phones.com, an internet-based retailer of used and refurbished wireless phones. Jonathan started the company in January 2004 and has been very successful. He plans on expanding the business after graduating from Union College in May 2005.
Web Site: Used-Cell-Phones.com
Steve studies Electrical Engineering at Iowa State University. He is the owner of Steve's Mobile Music, a business specializing in personalized entertainment for schools, weddings and other events. Steve started the DJ business while in High School, and he has seen his business expand from a hobby to a full-time job.
Web Site: www.stevesmobilemusic.com
Mike attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he majors in Theatre with an emphasis in film and new media. He is the owner of Black Anvil Productions, a company offering film, high definition and standard definition video production, and multimedia authoring services.
Matthew is majoring in Business Administration at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. He started Living Investments, LLC in May 2004. Living Investments, LLC is a business specializing in using sound waves to cut the Walnut tree maturity rate from 75 years to 25 years, while maintaining the quality of lumber.
Lisa and Lori both attend the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Lisa is majoring in Business Administration and Lori is majoring in Communications. In March of 2004, they created Distex, LLC. Distex, LLC is a company that specializes in tampon disposal. Although the company is young, you might be seeing their products on the shelf very soon!
