This year two student teams, consisting of 10 total students, were recognized for outstanding work
VANCOUVER — Washington State University Vancouver’s Carson College of Business celebrated the eighth anniversary of its Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program earlier this month with an event to recognize the businesses, volunteers and students involved in the program.
Created in 2011, Business Growth MAP is a pro-bono student-led consultancy. Student teams of four or five help local businesses in the areas of startup, growth, marketing and accounting. Volunteer mentors from the business community meet with student teams weekly during the semester-long project to offer advice and feedback. Faculty members from the Carson College of Business oversee each project.
This year two student teams were recognized for outstanding work. All team members are 2018 graduates.
OUTSTANDING GROWTH ASSESSMENT PROJECT
Bike Clark County
- Emily Albright
- Jorgan Cattin
- Devin Cavanaugh
- Kristie Linn
- Rian Silva
Bike Clark County is a bicycle education and advocacy organization. The student team focused on its downtown Vancouver bike shop, The Community Hub, a full service bicycle repair and retail shop carrying new and used gear and refurbished bicycles. The team developed a custom inventory tracking system with an accompanying how-to manual, easy-to-implement marketing strategies with custom templates and step-by-step instructions.
OUTSTANDING STARTUP PROJECT
Reliable Emergency Shelters
- LeAnne Blankenship
- Ashleigh Brosseau
- Beth Currie
- Jeremy Rodriguez
- Katherine Sheckells
Reliable Emergency Shelters has developed a two-person rescue pod tsunami-survival shelter. The MBA student team did a tremendous amount of field research to understand the market dynamics and customers. With this insight the team developed a 24-month business plan with actionable recommendations. The team even secured resources for next steps so Reliable Emergency Shelters could implement quickly.
Businesses that would like to apply for Business Growth MAP services may call 360-546-9533, email bgmap@wsu.edu or visit business.vancouver.wsu.edu/bgmap. New projects begin in late August.
As one of six campuses of the Washington State University system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
