Stay up late studying. Get up early for class. Try to enjoy a social life. Imagine owning a successful business on top of all that. Now, imagine receiving an award that will bring recognition and praise for it.
The Utah Student 25, a nonprofit organization created by a BYU professor, does just that as it honors student-founded businesses in Utah. The application deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 1, and college students throughout the state are invited to apply.
John Richards, co-founder of the Utah Student 25, said that there were multiple factors that led to the creation of the award, one of which was the interactions he’d had with students at BYU, where he is an associate teaching professor as well as associate director of the Center for Entrepreneurship.
“One time there was a student that would sit in the front row of my class, and asked one day if he could walk and talk with me about some help he needed with his new business,” Richards said.
Richards said the student then told him he owned a tree importing business from which he made $500,000 a year in revenue, and made about $125,00 a year in profit. The student said he was also taking 16 credit hours.
Richards said this impressive experience repeated itself over the years, and led to him wanting to create an award for these students. He said that after the economic crisis of 2007-2009, it would also help to bring hope.
“I thought, wouldn’t it bring optimism and hope back?” Richards said. “It would show that there’s still people doing great things, and some are students within our midst.”
The award was started in 2009, and students who have made even $1 in revenue from a business are invited to apply. The top 25 receive an award at what Richards described as an “Academy Award style event” that involves networking with investors, dignitaries and other students as well as a dinner and ceremony.
“If you’ve got a company, apply,” Richards said. “If you have a friend that has a company, nominate them. If you’re a student looking for networking opportunities, attend.”
Jason Brand, a senior from Bountiful, majoring in economics, was a winner in last year’s Utah Student 25 for his business, JB Lawn Care, which provides exceptional lawn care services throughout Davis County. He said applying for the award is an opportunity students should take.
“Getting involved was a great opportunity,” Brand said. “So, don’t worry that it’s going to be time consuming or overly burdensome on your business or schedule. It really is a great opportunity to meet new people and have a great experience.”
Brand said the application process was simple, and he ended up applying right before the deadline. He said it has been a great thing to have on his resume and has brought validity to the work he’s done to establish his own business.
Tim Rush, a senior partner at Springboard5, a communications firm involved with the Utah Student 25, said this event is unique.
“What is different about this program is that it isn’t a business plan competition, like so many out there that give an award for an idea,” Rush said in an email. “It is a ranking of results of amazing companies built by amazing students.”
