8th Annual Grace Business Competition Awards $11K To Senior
April 30, 2020 at 9:52 p.m.
8th Annual Grace Business Competition Awards $11K To Senior
By Staff Report-
VandenBoom, a senior blended degree student from Markle, will earn a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA this May. Her winning product – Color by Maze – is a computer-designed maze that is numbered and then colored with markers, according to a news release from Grace.
“It has been a joy to see the vision and dedication that Jess has shown in conceptualizing this exciting product,” said Dr. Alan Grossnickle, associate professor of business and director of the William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development at Grace College.
VandenBoom describes Color by Maze as a combination of a maze and paint by number.
“You start with a blank maze, and once completed, you have a color picture. I hope to publish a book of these mazes as well as offer custom maze creations based on images sent in by customers,” she said.
Color by Maze will be sold in gift shops, schools and airports for travelers.
VandenBoom was inspired by a friend and former coworker, Jace Middleton, who draws mazes as a hobby.
“When he showed me this gift of his, the gears started turning and I couldn’t help but think of the potential it had to be a business concept. The competition was just the next logical step,” said VandenBoom.
As VandenBoom prepared for the competition and developed her product, she was supported by the local SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Team.
"We are very appreciative of the assistance given by the local SCORE Team, led by Tim Meyer, which has worked with all of our business idea teams since last October and has provided invaluable time and consultation," said Grossnickle.
VandenBoom plans to use her $11,000 for computer program development and intellectual property protection, which is already in progress.
“I am thankful and humbled by this experience,” said VandenBoom. “I can’t help but think back to when I began my time at Grace. Oh my, have I grown and learned so much! I am blessed to have had such amazing professors who poured into me professionally and personally.”
The Grace College Business Plan Competition is one of many opportunities Grace College provides students to turn their career dreams and life goals into reality, the news release states. For more information about any of the areas of study that Grace offers, visit www.grace.edu or call 866-974-7223.
VandenBoom, a senior blended degree student from Markle, will earn a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA this May. Her winning product – Color by Maze – is a computer-designed maze that is numbered and then colored with markers, according to a news release from Grace.
“It has been a joy to see the vision and dedication that Jess has shown in conceptualizing this exciting product,” said Dr. Alan Grossnickle, associate professor of business and director of the William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development at Grace College.
VandenBoom describes Color by Maze as a combination of a maze and paint by number.
“You start with a blank maze, and once completed, you have a color picture. I hope to publish a book of these mazes as well as offer custom maze creations based on images sent in by customers,” she said.
Color by Maze will be sold in gift shops, schools and airports for travelers.
VandenBoom was inspired by a friend and former coworker, Jace Middleton, who draws mazes as a hobby.
“When he showed me this gift of his, the gears started turning and I couldn’t help but think of the potential it had to be a business concept. The competition was just the next logical step,” said VandenBoom.
As VandenBoom prepared for the competition and developed her product, she was supported by the local SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Team.
"We are very appreciative of the assistance given by the local SCORE Team, led by Tim Meyer, which has worked with all of our business idea teams since last October and has provided invaluable time and consultation," said Grossnickle.
VandenBoom plans to use her $11,000 for computer program development and intellectual property protection, which is already in progress.
“I am thankful and humbled by this experience,” said VandenBoom. “I can’t help but think back to when I began my time at Grace. Oh my, have I grown and learned so much! I am blessed to have had such amazing professors who poured into me professionally and personally.”
The Grace College Business Plan Competition is one of many opportunities Grace College provides students to turn their career dreams and life goals into reality, the news release states. For more information about any of the areas of study that Grace offers, visit www.grace.edu or call 866-974-7223.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092