by Aron Smith
Jackson State University students showcased their entrepreneurial prowess by clinching second place in the HBCU/MI Entrepreneur Innovation Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Their collective efforts earned them a $5,000 prize for their innovative business plan centered around specialized natural hair care products using AI technology titled “Elena G. Beauty Bar.”
Jennifer Steele, the special projects coordinator at the College of Business, carefully selected JSU’s team: Gabrielle Holliday, Jeff Alexander IV, Kaysi Harris, Kia Warner, and Macy Barkum-Robinson.
Within four weeks, the team developed a comprehensive 35-page business plan, competing against 23 teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MI) nationwide.
Fidelis Ikem, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business, articulated the reasons behind supporting his students’ competitive endeavors.
“We encourage our students to participate in competitions and external events, as we believe that our students are well-prepared and on par with their peers from around the nation. We urge them to showcase their talent,” he said.
The team’s innovative business idea was conceived in 2020 by Holliday, a graduate business administration major who served as the team’s chief executive officer. She collaborated with her team to refine the concept and ensure it met competition standards.
Ultimately, the plan focused on natural hair care products tailored through AI technology for hair analysis, allowing customers to customize their hair care solutions.
“One of the biggest challenges was ensuring everyone shared the same passion for the project,” Holliday explained. “We had to relay that passion so that when we pitched, we all believed in the product equally.”
The team presented their business plan to a panel of six judges in attendance. The presentation required them to demonstrate their business idea and ability to work together under pressure.
Holliday said support from people like Steele played a crucial role in the team’s success. “Ms. Steele was instrumental in our success. She believed in our idea and helped us get the needed resources,” she said.
Macy Barkum-Robinson, a junior business administration major, served as the team’s Chief Financial Officer. She said the competition pushed her to enhance her knowledge of finance and time management.
“While most students were resting during spring break, we held Zoom calls from 5-9 PM, sometimes even later,” Barkum-Robinson said. “I ensured our business plan was credible, the financials were accurate, and the marketing was solid.”
Despite facing significant challenges, including balancing a heavy course load and various extracurricular commitments, Barkum-Robinson persevered with the support of her team and mentors.
“There were times I wanted to drop out, but Ms. Steele and Gabrielle believed in me and kept encouraging me,” she said. “In the end, we all performed well and showed our passion for the business to the judges.”
Barkum-Robinson credited her advisor and College of Business Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Donald Causey, Ph.D., for his support and guidance. “Dr. Causey helped break down the financials for me and build my confidence in presenting them,” she said. “He made sure I understood everything and could explain it in a way that was comfortable for me.”
Ikem emphasized the importance of such competitions in preparing students for real-world challenges. “Participating in these programs exposes students to recruiters and potential employers, giving them confidence that their education at Jackson State is comparable or better than any other school,” he explained. “We continually update our curriculum to remain current and reflect real-world demands.”
Looking ahead, Holliday and her team continue to develop their business, utilizing the skills and knowledge gained from the competition. “This experience taught us the importance of faith and teamwork. We prayed together before and after meetings, which helped us stay grounded. This routine will continue as we move forward,” she said.