Marianas High School Student Wins Shark Tank Competition with Innovative Essential Box Idea

Marianas High School (MHS) ninth grader Raymond King Jr. has emerged victorious from the Student Shark Tank competition with his business concept: Raymond’s Essential Box. Inspired by his mother’s hectic daily routine, King’s idea resonated with the panel of “investors” at MHS on Thursday.

Student Shark Tank: Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs

The Student shark Tank event, facilitated by Island Training Solutions (ITS), is part of the MHS Entrepreneurship and Small Business Course, an after-school program open to students in grades 9-12. The competition provides a platform for students to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas and gain valuable experience in the business world.

Commissioner of Education Dr. lawrence F. Camacho, Public School System Assistant Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, and Career and Technical Education director Dr. Jessica Taylor were present to support the students’ presentations.The event mirrors the popular American reality TV show “Shark Tank,” where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors.

ITS instructor Arnel Gruspe initiated the MHS Student Shark Tank competition to give students a glimpse of what it’s like to enter the business world.

The Competition

Several students presented their innovative business ideas to the panel of “Sharks”:

• Raymond King Jr. (9th grade): Raymond’s Essential box – A weekly subscription box delivering essential items to busy individuals.
• John Morales and Melvin Han (12th grade): NEL Clothing – An apparel business partnership.
• Rhian Alfonso (10th grade): Riviera Royale – A luxury brand catering to the demand for high-end items.
• Michelle Balensosa (10th grade): Terra Form – A business bringing art into people’s lives through pottery, offering a connection with nature and creativity.
• Nowrin Bhuiyan (10th grade): Taste Fusion – An Asian delicacy business with the tagline “Where Sweet Meets Spice.”

After careful consideration, the “Sharks” made their decisions:

• First Place: Raymond King Jr. – Raymond’s Essential Box
• Second Place: John Morales and Melvin Han – NEL Clothing
• Third Place (Tie): Rhian Alfonso – Riviera royale and michelle Balensosa – Terra Form
• Fourth Place: Nowrin Bhuiyan – Taste Fusion

The panel of “Sharks” included MHS teachers Mindy Castro, Andrea Roberto, Christine Acbo, and Dr. Marifi Doculan.

Raymond’s Essential Box: A Solution for Busy Lives

Raymond king Jr.’s winning idea, Raymond’s Essential Box, was inspired by his mother’s demanding daily life. King recognized the need for a service that could alleviate the burden of grocery shopping and other essential errands for busy individuals. As King explained, with Raymond’s Essential Box, “Your weekly essentials are delivered right to your door.”

Raymond’s Essential Box allows customers to customize their box with groceries and everyday essentials, including special items from the islands. Customers simply subscribe to receive a weekly delivery.

King highlighted his business’s unique selling proposition: “There’s no one else on the island offering this type of service.” He asked the Sharks for $20,000 in exchange for 5% equity.

Reflecting on his win, King said, “I feel good. But I was shocked that I won. I thank all the judges for believing in me.”

Actionable Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs

• Identify a Need: Like Raymond, look around you and identify everyday problems that can be solved with a creative business idea.
• Unique Selling Proposition: Understand what makes your business different and better than the competition. Highlight this in your pitch.
• Market Research: Conduct thorough research to determine if there is a demand for your product or service.
• Financial Planning: Develop a realistic financial plan, including startup costs, revenue projections, and funding needs.
• Presentation Skills: Practice your pitch and be prepared to answer questions from potential investors.

The Marianas High School Student Shark Tank competition highlights the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young students. Raymond King Jr.’s innovative idea,Raymond’s Essential Box,is a testament to the power of identifying a need and developing a solution that benefits the community. As more young entrepreneurs emerge with innovative ideas, the future of local business looks promising. Support local innovation, and consider subscribing to services like Raymond’s Essential Box if you’re in the area to fuel the local economy.

What problems in your Community Could be solved with a simple innovative business idea?

Marianas High School Student Shark Tank Winner Talks Innovation

Archyde Interviews Raymond King Jr. on His Essential Box Success

Raymond King Jr., the ninth-grader who triumphed at the Marianas High School Student Shark Tank with his innovative “Raymond’s Essential Box” concept, recently sat down with Archyde to discuss his experience. Read on for insights into his entrepreneurial journey and advice for aspiring young business owners.

Q&A with Raymond King Jr.,Founder of Raymond’s Essential Box

Archyde (Ava Thompson,Business Reporter): Raymond,congratulations on your win at the Student Shark Tank! It’s truly inspiring. For our readers who aren’t familiar, could you briefly explain what Raymond’s essential Box is all about?

Raymond King Jr.: Thank you! Raymond’s Essential Box is a weekly subscription service that delivers customized boxes filled with groceries and other everyday essentials right to your door. It’s designed to save busy people time and effort.

Archyde: That’s a fantastic idea. What inspired you to create Raymond’s Essential Box,and how did you identify the need for such a service?

Raymond: My mom! She works incredibly hard and is always running around. I noticed how much time she spent grocery shopping. I thought,”Ther has to be a better way.” That’s when I realized a service like this could really help people on the island.

Archyde: Your presentation skills must have been impressive! What were the key points you emphasized when pitching to the “Sharks,” and how did you differentiate your essential box service from potential competitors?

Raymond: I made sure to highlight the convenience and customization aspects. I also stressed that there isn’t another service quite like this currently available on our island. It’s all about getting your weekly essentials delivered with island style. I also showed them a financial projection, even though it was pretty basic!

Archyde: You asked for $20,000 for 5% equity. What are your plans for utilizing that investment to grow Raymond’s Essential Box?

Raymond: Right now, the plan is to use the money to establish a proper online platform, secure reliable suppliers, and get some vehicles to help with delivery. We also need some initial marketing to spread the word.

Archyde: What was the most challenging aspect of participating in the Student shark Tank competition?

Raymond: Definitely the nerves! Standing up there and presenting your idea to people who you admire is intimidating. But I just focused on communicating my vision.And believing in Raymond’s Essential Box.

Archyde: Can you share any specific advice you received from the “sharks” that you found particularly valuable?

Raymond: One of the judges, Ms. Castro, suggested focusing on local partnerships to source unique island products for the boxes. That really resonated with me, and it’s something I definitely want to explore.

Archyde: Many young people dream of starting their own businesses. What advice would you give to other aspiring student entrepreneurs?

Raymond: Look around you for problems that need solving. Don’t be afraid to be creative and different. Do your research, practice your pitch, and most importantly, beleive in your idea!

Archyde: what’s the long-term vision for Raymond’s Essential Box? Where do you see it in five years?

Raymond: I want to grow Raymond’s Essential Box into a prosperous business that supports the local community. In five years, I envision a fully automated service delivering essential groceries to busy families and individuals throughout the island, as well as contributing substantially to our local economy and reducing food waste.

Archyde: That is a great vision,raymond. One last question. do you plan to expand Essential Box to other services beyond just Groceries?

Raymond: Absolutely! I am thinking about including Home Cleaning supplies, Laundry, and even personal Hygiene as add-ons to the service so that our patrons can get a wide array of necessities at the same time to suit their demanding personal and professional lifestyles and commitments.

Archyde: That is an exciting avenue for growth indeed!. Raymond, thank you for sharing your story and insights with us. We wish you the best of luck with Raymond’s Essential Box!

Raymond: Thank you for having me!

What problems in your Community Could be solved with a simple innovative business idea?

Now it’s your turn! What unique problems exist in your community that could be solved with a creative and innovative business solution? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!