Warner Pacific Social Entrepreneurship seniors Luwam Kahassay, Gimena Olguin, Anthony Sims, Kristi Gifford, and Emily Potts with Business Professor Dr. Roger Martin, Warner Pacific VP for Advancement Dr. Aaron McMurray, John Friese, Carrie Atkinson, Junea Rocha, and Warner Pacific students Thalia Garcia, Milo Lopez, Edgar Contreras, Ricky Ruiz, and Jonathan Hillis.
During their senior year, Social Entrepreneurship students identify a need within the community and create a small entrepreneurial business to meet that need (their Capstone Project).
On January 13, 2015, the 2015 Capstone Projects were presented in front of John Friese from Starve Ups (an entrepreneurial start up group in Portland), Carrie Atkinson from Sock It To Me (in Portland), and Junea Rocha from BraziBites. Students received feedback to prepare for the Capstone Project competition.
- Luwam Kahassa – ArtCart, helping people engage their creative side
- Anthony Sims – KooksLife, using business to help skateboarders
- Gimena Olguin – UniMe, United Minority Entrepreneurs
- Kristi Gifford – BU Fitness Wear, serving women 18 to 50 years of age who live motivated and active lives
- Emily Potts – VEAS, using photography for people to see both the good and the bad of life
Each Capstone Project is made up of a team that includes the student, a Social Entrepreneurship Advisory Board (SEAB), community partners, and faculty members. This team works toward the common goal of creating free enterprise while meeting community need, providing students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to real life practice. By the end of the semester, the student and his/her team will create an Executive Summary, full Business Plan, and presentation of the project.
The culmination of the Capstone Project is a cash award for the best Business Plan, allowing students to become real-world social entrepreneurs by the time they graduate.