Honors

I was awarded second place in the Start-up Enterprise Team competition among 104 teams of global business students. The competition focuses on developing an operating plan and organizational structure to initiate a small business.

In my business class, while discussing business ideas with my friends, my teacher recommended a business competition called Business Professionals of America. My team was interested in participating in the Start-up Enterprise Team, where we could propose a new business concept. After deciding to participate, we met twice a week to brainstorm, write our proposal, and practice our pitch.

A key problem I wanted to address was assisting people with Alzheimer's. Witnessing my grandfather’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, I was inspired to aid my family as well as others who face the challenge of caring for a loved one suffering from memory loss. Determined to make a difference, I proposed an AI calling system to provide assistance to customers with medical issues as well as provide consistent emergency checks. My grandfather calls my father repeatedly, forgetting that he has already called, so I envisioned this system as a way to reduce the burden on both patients and caregivers.

My teammates unanimously agreed with my idea, emphasizing the urgent need for this important service due to the growing elderly population, both in Korea and globally. We began our collaboration, developing our applicated based on our business teacher’s input and feedback. To strengthen our proposal, I gathered primary data by interviewing my father and grandfather, and we researched other competitors offering similar services. This research led our branding efforts, positioning our business as the best solution for families seeking support and aid. Together, we wrote the proposal, successfully advancing to the second round.

In the second round, we emphasized communication. Learning about effective presentation skills, we rehearsed several times to achieve a smooth presentation. For example, as a hook, we prepared a small play reflecting a common situation memory loss patients and caretakers faced to underscore the problem’s severity. This method resonated well, securing my team second place in the event.

While we were not able to attend the final ceremony in Chicago due to scheduling conflicts, we joined through live stream, engaging with the audience in sharing our business. Overall, this experience was fulfilling as I was able to address a societal struggle that resonated with my family. I believe my product’s recognition proves the need for a solution in real life. Moving forward, I hope to continue my journey as an entrepreneur and data scientist, dedicated to identifying problems and developing meaningful solutions to those in need.