Young Entrepreneurs scholarship
Trademark, utility and design patents, website design and promotion videos are not topics that most high school seniors are able to discuss from personal experience. But an insider’s knowledge of these entrepreneurial topics helped Amherst Central High School senior Camryn Sullivan land a $2,000 Young Entrepreneurs Award scholarship from the National Federation of Independent Business. She is pictured with her scholarship award letter.
The business acumen Camryn gained from starting a fashion accessory business with her mother, Debbie, and sister, Kaelyn, has helped define her college major, future career goals and allowed her to shine during the scholarship interview process. Their company, Kae and Cami, features their patented magnetic accessory that helps fit and style tops, scarves, pashminas, head wraps, cover-ups, dresses and more. Interchangeable magnetic jewelry attachments provide more style options.
On her way in the fall to Philadelphia University on a lacrosse scholarship, she chose the college because of its fashion merchandising and marketing major and the chance to study abroad through a fashion immersion program.
“I hope to further develop my brand with help from professors and networking opportunities at the school. I plan on a minor in entrepreneurship,” she said.
At the advice of her ACHS guidance counselor, she searched for entrepreneur scholarships and applied for the NFIB award. As a semi-finalist, she was interviewed by phone and wrote an essay describing her role in creating and running a small business.
“I talked about the trademark, utility and design patent we received for our Kae and Cami products. I submitted our website, promotional photos and videos I modeled in,” she said. “My experience developing the business over the past few years prepared me for the interview because I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about before and during it.”
Debbie Sullivan said they were fortunate to have excellent legal advice regarding patents and intellectual property protection. “It’s very important to protect your idea. Ask questions of others and you will learn a lot!” said Mrs. Sullivan.
Kae and Cami has been featured on My Cool Inventions show and got a 100% Thumbs Up from the nationwide voting and were the top ranked invention for the week. That put them on a consideration list for Home Shopping Network. “We are hopeful we will be chosen because we received very favorable remarks from the hosts of the My Cool Inventions show,” said Debbie Sullivan.
The company was also interviewed by Shark Tank and expect to re-submit to the show when their company sales reach an appropriate level, said Mrs. Sullivan.
Camryn’s advice for juniors applying for scholarships? “Make sure you are passionate about the award you are applying for,” she said.
And her advice for those thinking of starting a business? “Do it! It’s the most fulfilling thing you can do for yourself, but remember it’s never all going to be easy. There will be downsides to being your own boss
Questions for Camryn:
What is the scholarship amount? $2000
How did you find out about the scholarship? My guidance counselor gave me some suggestions of websites to search. I looked at the entrepreneur scholarships and applied to two. (NFIB and Grasshopper)
What advice would you give to juniors about applying for scholarships? Depending on the scholarship, make sure they are passionate about the award they are applying for.
Describe the interview process as a semi-finalist The interview process seemed scarier than it is. It really was just a conversation with someone on the phone.
How did your experience in developing the business help you during the interview? My experience developing the business over the past few years prepared me for the interview because I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about before and during it.
At the semi-finalist stage, what else did you have to provide for the scholarship requirements? I wrote an essay describing my role in creating and running a small business. I talked about the trademark, utility and design patent we received for our Kae & Cami products. I submitted our website, promotional photos and videos I modeled in.
How will your experience in developing a product/business help you at college? I am attending Philadelphia University on a lacrosse scholarship. I choose this college because of the Fashion Merchandising and Marketing and Fashion immersion study abroad program. I hope to further develop my brand with help from professors and networking opportunities at the school. I plan on a minor in Entrepreneurship.
Advice for others thinking of starting a business? Do it! It’s the most fulfilling thing you can do for yourself, but remember it’s never all going to be easy. There will be downsides to being your own boss.
Questions for Debbie or Camryn:
Debbie
Home Shopping Network – did the company get an appearance through Cool Inventions? Kae & Cami received 100% Thumbs Up from the nationwide voting and we were the top ranked invention for the week. This put us on a consideration list for HSN, which they choose from throughout the year. We are hopeful we will be chosen because we received very favorable remarks from the hosts of the My Cool Inventions show.
You’ve also been contact by Shark Tank – did that progress any further? We were interviewed ~ one year ago and have an open resume with Shark Tank. We expect to re-submit when our sales reach an appropriate level.
Advice for others thinking of starting a business? I agree with Camryn about passion. The belief in your idea is what drives the project and keeps you motivated through the inevitable ups and downs of the journey.
Anything else you think is important …Very important to protect your idea. I was fortunate to have advice from attorneys Richard Amico and Vincent LoTempio regarding patents and intellectual property protection. Ask questions of others and you will learn a lot!
Photo: Can you send one that you would like to use with this – could be of Camryn with the scholarship letter and the product.
