(Left to right) Maverick Challenge champion Oliver Moisio, AIM YP vice president Mooch Hamilton, Maverick Challenge champion Chris Weissmann, AIM YP Maverick Challenge coordinator Hollie Stoops, and AIM YP president Rachel Reynolds.
(Dearborn County, Ind.) - Two South Dearborn High School seniors’ business plan for fresh and convenient family meals has made them the Dearborn County champions of the 2017 Maverick Challenge.
Last September, Oliver Moisio and Chris Weissmann entered the Maverick Challenge, a business planning competition for high school students across 12 southeastern Indiana counties. AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County was proud to administrate the program in the county for the fifth straight year.
Over several months, Weissmann and Moisio developed their business idea for Fresh Ease, LLC. The classmates devised a service giving local consumers a healthy and convenient option for dinner. The fast food alternative would sell a variety of dinner kits which could be picked up or delivered, then be quickly prepared at home by health-conscious consumers with little time to grocery shop or cook their own meal from scratch.
In February, Chris and Oliver were named the winners of the Dearborn County challenge by a panel of judges made up of local business managers and entrepreneurs.
AIM YP President Rachel Reynolds, Vice President Mooch Hamilton, and local Maverick Challenge Coordinator Hollie Stoops recognized the classmates at the Monday, April 17 meeting of the South Dearborn Community Schools Board of Trustees. Oliver and Chris were awarded a $1,750 prize to be split equally.
Becoming county-level Maverick Challenge champions gave Moisio and Weissmann the opportunity to take the Fresh Ease business idea to a 12-county regional competition in Columbus, Indiana in March. They again gained valuable experience and feedback by presenting the business plan there.
Moisio says the Fresh Ease concept came after he and Weissmann teamed up for the Maverick Challenge. The two were having dinner at Weissmann’s home and discussing ideas when Chris’ mother suggested they consider a food service business.
“We wanted to source a lot of our food locally,” explained Moisio. “I felt that with Fresh Ease if we could get a lot of local farmers in on this it would be good for the environment, good for businesses and our small town farmers.”
Weissmann called the Maverick Challenge experience valuable.
“Learning what it is like to go and present in front of a panel of people, that was really helpful,” Weissmann said. “Maverick gives you a lot of real world business experience. It’s just a great way to get ready for the business world as a future professional.”
Weissmann and Moisio will both graduate from South Dearborn High School this spring with plans to pursue business careers. Weissmann, the SDHS Class of 2017 valedictorian, has been accepted into the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in Bloomington. Chris will use his half of the cash award for college tuition and books.
Moisio also plans to attend Indiana University. He had been considering an engineering career, but after participating in the Maverick Challenge he sees himself working in business. Oliver hopes to earn his way into the IU Kelley School of Business. Moisio has put his winnings toward a new computer for use in college.
(Left to right) AIM YP vice president Mooch Hamilton, Maverick Challenge runner-up Charlie Eliason, AIM YP Maverick Challenge administrator Hollie Stoops, AIM YP president Rachel Reynolds, and AIM YP board member Mike Perleberg.
AIM YP also recognized Maverick Challenge runner-up Charlie Eliason. The Lawrenceburg High School sophomore’s business idea, Chad’s Ads, is a home-based advertising agency offering marketing services and ad production to local businesses.
He recommends the Maverick Challenge to other area students.
“Especially if you are thinking of doing business as a future career option, because it teaches you a lot about what goes on behind the scenes in a business,” Eliason says, adding that the judges' feedback on his business plan was valuable.
Rachel Reynolds, president of AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County, believes the Maverick Challenge is a great opportunity for the students of Dearborn County.
"I love seeing the students present their initial idea and watch them grow throughout the process. The knowledge and experience they gain is invaluable," she says. "My one wish would be that more students participate in the Maverick Challenge."
AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County would like to thank AIM YP past president Hollie Stoops for volunteering as the Maverick Challenge coordinator.
The organization also thanks the panel of judges for giving their time to offer guidance and valuable feedback. The judges were Julie Anderson of U.S. Bank, Mark Banschbach of Top Quality Building Products, Tim Doll of Perfect North Slopes, Steve VanWassenhove of Willie’s Sports Cafe HVL, and Kelly Will of Union Savings Bank.
"We are fortunate to have the support from many local businessmen and women who not only act as mentors but serve as our panel of judges," says Reynolds.
The Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce also generously supported the Maverick Challenge program with funding for participation at the regional competition.
AIM Young Professionals of Dearborn County plans to administer a business planning competition for area students during the 2017-2018 school year. Monitor www.aimyp.com for updates.
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