SNELLVILLE – Three of the winners in Partnership Gwinnett's first-ever Amazing Student Entrepreneur competition got their start in Snellville's Shark Tank student entrepreneur competition.
Mya Swaby, a rising senior at Brookwood High School, won Snellville's competition in May and then took the top prize for the county's first-ever event Aug. 2.
Swaby runs ContraBand Clothing, an apparel company that designs and produces augmented reality clothing.
"The City of Snellville works rigorously to support student entrepreneurs because they are fundamental to the future of our small business community," said Eric Van Otteren, Director of Economic Development for Snellville. "The success of these young entrepreneurs shows the true value in nurturing emerging talent."
AkeyJah Charles, a rising senior at South Gwinnett High School, who owns a photography business called The Key Images, placed second. Komlan "CJ" Amousou, a recent graduate of Grayson Technical High School, who will attend Gwinnett Tech in the fall and major in Photography, finished third for his photography business.
The first, second and third place winners were awarded cash prizes for supporting their business ventures. The first-place winner received $500, second place $300 and third place $200.
"Thanks to partnerships between Gwinnett County Public Schools and our local communities, our students are equipped with the soft skills and training necessary to start and operate a successful business," said Cindy Quinlan, Entrepreneurship Pathway Lead for Gwinnett County Public Schools and a Brookwood High School entrepreneurship teacher. "We are committed to meeting the demand of our student entrepreneurs who desire a classroom experience that encourages experiential learning."
Launched this year, the Amazing Student Entrepreneur competition is the student edition of the established Amazing Entrepreneur Contest. The student contest encourages young entrepreneurs in high school and college to introduce a practical business model that is created, owned and managed by students only. The competition requires contestants to submit a business plan summary and demonstration video for judging, with finalists earning the opportunity to present before a panel of business leaders.