In the shark tank

Local students of the Seneca County CEO program participated in its first pitch competition Monday on the campus of Tiffin University. For the first competition, five students competed against one another pitching their own individual business plans. "This will be an annual spring event for our program and as the number of young adults participating in the program grows, so will the number of students participating in the pitch competition," Aaron Gerlach, CEO facilitator, said. Students in the CEO program this year represent Calvert, Mohawk and Seneca East. Students who participated in the competition are Madison Beard, Shayne Heiser, Natalie Johnson, Ashton Hemminger and Kaidan Mathias. Lauren Moyer also developed a business but was not able to be present for the competition. The competition is similar to that of the TV show "Shark Tank," with three judges — in this case, local business leaders — being pitched business ideas created by the students. Students had two minutes to get their notions across, and afterwards judges provided feedback on the vision, potential and marketing of each business. The judges for this year's competition were Elaine Daugherty, Vince Arnold and Joe Worland. The business plans presented were as follows: Beard — homemade chocolate bars "Bars by Mads;" Heiser — affordable beef "Heiser Cow Co.;" Johnson — woman's online apparel store "All Shapes and Sizes;" Hemminger — a small business marking consulting firm "AJ & Co;" Mathias — a mental health support group "Buddy System." Moyer also developed a dog walking service for Tiffin called "Leashes with Lauren." Business plans finishing in the top three were those designed by Hemminger (first), Heiser (second) and Beard (third). Hemminger said she has a passion for small businesses and wanted to do something to give back to them. Heiser said he first fell in love with the breed of livestock while participating in 4-H and he was inspired to start offering affordable beef to the community due to the pandemic. Beard plans to study culinary arts and made a chocolate bar recipe her own by using only three ingredients. The students' businesses will also be showcased at a trade show at 6 p.m. on May 11 at Camden Falls Reception and Conference Center. Seneca County CEO is open to students from all schools within Seneca County.