Looking for the Student Entrepreneur of the Year

Charleston, S.C. is exploding with entrepreneurial activity, and College of Charleston students are fueling the fire. Some of the region’s most successful companies are founded by alumni – look at Amazon-owned BiblioLabs. Now the search is on for the 2014 Student Entrepreneur of the Year.

Any College of Charleston student who is currently operating a business can apply, with the potential to win $1,000. Applications are due by February 28, 2014.

“I know there are dozens of student entrepreneurs on our campus. In just one of my classes, I have two business owners, but I want to find the entrepreneurs I don’t know,” says Professor David Wyman, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the School of Business. “I’d love to bring these student entrepreneurs together so they can learn from each other and really use the resources the College provides.”

Wyman’s advice for budding entrepreneurs is to consider scalable businesses – the kind that can earn a profit while the owner sleeps. Technology companies usually fit the bill, while more traditional bricks-and-mortar businesses, like hair salons and restaurants, do not.

“It’s not always the idea that makes a great start-up,” Wyman explains. “It is all about the team you have in place. It is very rare that someone can operate a successful business on his or her own. Find a diverse team that complements your skill set and supports your weaknesses, then find your idea.”

He says there is no typical business that starts on a college campus. At a previous institution, he had a student launch a mushroom-growing business that brought in $100,000. “Who would have guessed?” Wyman remarks.

Students from every department and major on campus are encouraged to apply. The final three will be participate in video interviews, and the winner will be chosen and announced in a ceremony.

For more information, contact David Wyman at wymandm@cofc.edu or 843.953.5181.