Teens tackle universal pain points: Junior Achievement competition pushes students to pitch biz ideas
April 2, 2025 | Taylor Wilmore
A new student innovation competition linked to Junior Achievement not only challenges Kansas City teens to develop business solutions for immediate real-world problems, said Will Bowler; fostering entrepreneurial thinking develops longer-term impacts.
Olathe East High School teachers Angela Ward and Will Bowler listen as their student, Josie Smotrella, participates in a fireside chat conversation during the 3DE Innovators Showcase; not pictured, student panelists Grace Eden and Kalieb Schuerman; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“This program empowers them,” said Bowler, a teacher at Olathe East High School, as students wrapped up Tuesday’s 3DE Innovators Showcase at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Conference Center. “They walk away knowing they can handle themselves in any situation.”
The inaugural 3DE event — hosted by Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City — ultimately crowned a winning team from among groups of about 40 students representing Northeast and Olathe East high schools.
To get there, the top four teams pitched their business ventures to a panel of local entrepreneurs and business leaders, including Jannae Gammage, Cyphr, Vu Radley, MADE MOBB, Allison Greenwood Bajracharya, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Steven Anthony, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri. Each team presented business models, customer needs, marketing strategies, and potential partnerships.
“These students tackle problems even adults struggle with,” Bowler said. “Watching their growth is inspiring.”
Click here to learn more about 3DE by Junior Achievement.
Olathe East High School students Hayden Shaver, Lillian Bryant, and Harkiran Kaur present their business concept, Paper Boutique, during the 3DE Innovators Showcase; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
A team project called Paper Boutique captivated judges with its idea: a sustainable, customizable planner that integrates digital and physical organization.
The winning team: Paper Boutique, Olathe East High School, Lillian Bryant, Harkiran Kaur, and Hayden Shaver; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“We all have busy lives and forget things,” said Harkiran Kaur, a member of Paper Boutique. “Our solution is a planner with scannable features that syncs with your phone, so you have both a digital and physical copy.”
What set Paper Boutique apart: its focus on personalization and technology.
“We offer full customization,” added teammate Hayden Shaver. “From covers to page layouts and even app notifications, each planner is tailored to the user.”
Lillian Bryant, another team member, emphasized the product’s market potential.
“Our key demographic is students,” she explained. “We want to partner with universities and brands like Disney to reach their loyal fan base.”
Other awards presented included the Operational Excellence Award, won by Sweet Eats and Abundance; the Impact Award, claimed by Lawngevity; the Innovators Award, awarded to Nature’s Bubbles Co.; and the Investor’s Choice Award, which went to Greenbait.
Showcasing solutions
Beyond Paper Boutique, the competition featured a diverse range of business ideas, demonstrating students’ ability to identify market gaps and create solutions.
The top student team pitches included:
- Imaria — Custom perfume and body oils designed for individuals with sensitive skin.
- Nail Shop — A mobile nail service offering convenient, high-quality manicures.
- Pepbox — Personalized care packages aimed at helping students manage academic stress.
Getting real
In addition to the competition, the event featured a fireside chat with educators who have seen firsthand the impact of the 3DE by Junior Achievement program.
Teachers praised the model for its ability to equip students with critical business skills and problem-solving abilities.
“3DE breaks down barriers and gives students tools to navigate business challenges,” said Angela Ward, a teacher at Olathe East High School. “They’re not just learning concepts; they’re applying them.”
Students viewed the 3DE event as a transformative learning experience, gaining more confidence and leadership skills.
“It’s changed how I approach challenges,” said Grace Eden, a 10th grader. “It also introduced me to friends I never would have met otherwise.”
Kalieb Schuerman, another student, noted how the program helped him develop essential skills.
“I’ve learned so much about business and communication,” he said. “You can tell which students are in 3DE by how they present and problem-solve.”
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Exclusive: John Fein departing Techstars to lead new $7M Midwest venture fund
After three years with the Kansas City-based Sprint Accelerator, John Fein is moving on to lead a venture fund that has ambitious Midwestern plans. Fein, who’s served as the managing director at the Techstars-led accelerator since 2014, will serve his last day with the organization on July 31. With decades of fast-paced startup experience, Fein…
Mid-America Angels set for second consecutive record-breaking year
The Mid-America Angels is poised to make 2016 a record-breaking year. The area investment group already has deployed $1.7 million via seven deals in the first six months of 2016, setting pace for its biggest year of investment in its ten-year history. In 2015, the firm set a record for its amount of capital deployed,…
With a fresh $2M, Athlete Network sets ambitious growth goals
Athlete Network has scored a slam dunk with a $2 million seed round raise. The Lenexa-based firm that created a social network for athletes announced Thursday it had closed its first funding round after bootstrapping for two years, Athlete Network CEO Chris Smith said. The platform aims “to keep athletes competing in life” by enabling…
KC’s ‘entrepreneurial and innovative spirit’ lures Virgin Mobile HQ move
Kansas City’s entrepreneurial vigor again was cited as the impetus of a corporation’s expansion into the area. Virgin Mobile USA announced Friday that it selected downtown Kansas City for the company’s new headquarters as it relaunches its brand under Sprint. Virgin Mobile expects to hire 50 people in a variety of positions by the end…