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BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITIONS

2007

Young Entrepreneurs Showcase Their Business Plans at Future Founders Competition

2006

Case Study

Pocket Socks

For LaDonna Watts and Brittney Maye, now students at Illinois State University and Howard University, respectively, winning top honors at the CEC’s Citywide Business Plan Competition for their company, Pocket Socks, only served to underscore their entrepreneurial instincts and zeal. As participants in the CEC’s year-long Future Founders program at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep, Watts and Maye had the opportunity to meet and interact with successful entrepreneurs and receive guidance as they created and planned their own venture. Specializing in handmade socks with a sewn-in pocket for people who want extra security when carrying valuables, the company was founded after market research determined a need existed. "Future Founders gave me the opportunity to learn about what it really means to own and run a business," says Watts. "More importantly, it motivated me to consider a career in entrepreneurship."

The bottom line: After Pocket Socks was identified by the CEC as one of the top business plans among those created by the 75 students participating in the program, it was entered in the citywide competition – and won.

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