Blog

Young entrepreneurs learn at Lakeland

Aug. 26, 2020

Lakeland University recently hosted its third annual Academy of Aspiring Entrepreneurs, an opportunity for high school students to learn a variety of business skills.

Seven high school students from Manitowoc Roncalli, Sheboygan Christian, Milwaukee Riverside and the Milwaukee School of Language Arts came to Lakeland's campus for four days to develop a product, write a business plan and present that plan in a Muskie Tank competition. They received mentorship on their business plan from LU Launch executive team members Brian Brickham and Curtiss Dokey

The students also heard from a variety of speakers, including:

• Minimum viable product from Joe Poeschel with the Commons Milwaukee.
• An overview of resources available to entrepreneurs from Ray York of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation.
• Discussion about leadership from Cory Bouck, who oversees Johnsonville's Asia operations. Students received a copy of Bouck’s book "The Lens of Leadership.”
• A virtual tour of Acuity with Lakeland graduate Savannah Stenlund, who also talked about her Lakeland experience.
• Lessons about networking and how to effectively present themselves from Kym Leibham, Lakeland’s director of strategic outreach.

Judges of the Muskie Tank competition were LU Senior VP for Cooperative Education and Economic Development Scott Niederjohn, LU Instructor of Business Kim Viglietti and Justin Vannieuwenhoven of Shebikin' Tours.

The four-day session is organized and led by Lakeland Instructor of Hospitality Management Britanni Meinnert ’00 MBA ’10.

Each student participant earned a $500 scholarship to any school, $750 if they choose to attend Lakeland.