SHELBY — Teenager Reagan Willoughby won $600 Tuesday night for her business pitch that suggests an alternative to tattoos for people with prosthetic limbs.
After presenting her business idea alongside 12 other area students, the Madison girl was chosen to represent north central Ohio later this year at the annual Young Entrepreneur Academy’s (YEA) Saunders Scholars national semifinal competition at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.
“It’s a little overwhelming, but exciting to know I’ll be going to nationals,” Willoughby said. “Everyone’s been working so hard and had amazing ideas, I feel lucky that I was picked.”
The teen, who attends school online, had a relative with a wooden leg, which when paired with her love of tattoos ignited her business idea.
Her business, called Prottoo, would be marketed to veterans and others who might have had tattoos before their limbs needed amputated. She says she’ll be able replicate former tattoos.
Willoughby intends to begin sales in 2020.
Other students also received a share of investment dollars, which were distributed by a panel of investors. The panel included Chris Hiner of Richland Bank, Kristi Massa of the Richland County Foundation’s Women Fund, Karl Milliron of Milliron Auto Parts, Beth Delaney of Spherion Mid-Ohio, Jason Painley of Mechanics Bank, and Carl Fernyak of Idea Works.
The panelists listened to each presentation before dividing up their investment dollars.
Clear Fork senior, Hunter Tilton won the most money for his business pitch. He was awarded $1,025 to further grow Valley View Farm Services, his business that he and his family have already contributed more than $70,000 towards.
Valley View Farm Services will offer lime hauling and spreading services for farmers in Richland, Ashland, Knox and surrounding counties.
Malabar Intermediate sixth grader Khmani Howell won $960 for Duda’s Desserts, a bakery featuring his homemade cupcakes.
Mansfield Senior student Joslynn Odom received $779 for Haleeta Life, a business distributing quarterly subscription boxes with natural skin and hair products.
Lexington junior Anshul Shingeri won $650 for Nova Computers, a business that will build custom desktop computers for video gamers.
Ontario seventh grader Najee Morris took home $636 for Corporis Plus, a business making products meant to reduce sports injuries. The business’s first product is foam insert called Rib Pro, which is designed to decrease the chance of rib injuries. His slogan was, “I call dibs to protect your ribs.”
Morris was also named runner-up to Willoughby. He will attend the YEA Saunders Scholars national semifinal competition if the Madison girl is unable to attend.
Liam Cummins, a ninth grader who is home schooled, won $584 for his idea, Impromptu Soundtracks. Cummins composed his first piece at age 4.
Ontario junior Miriam Morgenstern and home-schooled freshman Nick Christus both received $500 for their ideas. Morgenstern proposed City in a Hill Apparel, a faith-based clothing line. Christus pitched Custom Hero Studio, a business that would create low-cost, high-quality costumes for those who cosplay.
Aspen Payne, a sixth grader at Mansfield’s Spanish Immersion School, received $650 for Quartz, a clothing line with a mission to raise money for autism awareness, childhood cancer and other causes.
Ontario students Caitlin and Corinne Fanello received $300 for Hincha Base, a website for fans to discuss their favorite books, movies and shows.
Mansfield Christian sixth grader Landan McRae was awarded $100.95 for Bike Snaps, a business selling bicycle accessory kits.
Each student asked for an amount they thought would be needed to further their business idea. The investor panel then responded by awarding all or a portion of that amount.
