“The faculty, students and staff of the College of Liberal Arts join me in congratulating Brian Linton on his success, which reveals the intellectual and interdisciplinary grounding of the educational opportunities available to students at CLA,” said College of Liberal Arts Dean Teresa Scott Soufas.

“I plan to offer 100% organic coffee, along with organic produce and flowers,” says Linton. “My coffeehouse will be unique because I will be able to roast my beans on-site. Most coffeehouses can’t do that.” Linton’s coffeehouse would use a new coffee roaster that does not emit smoke. Regular roasters create zoning problems because of the amount of smoke that is released.

Linton is already a successful entrepreneur. He is also the owner of Sand Shack (www.sandshack.com), a jewelry and apparel website with part of its profits going to protect Cape Cod’s ecosystem. Despite his experience, he credits the IEI with helping him win the competition.

“I was really impressed with the help that the IEI offered,” says Linton. “They provide one-on-one coaching, helped me to clean up my presentation and I was able to do a dry-run so I would be better prepared.”

“The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute has a number of resources for entrepreneurs, including business plan consultation, coaching, a mentor network base, workshops, conferences and competitions,” said Jaine Lucas. “It was inspirational working with Brian Linton and the other contestants. Their futures are so bright. Who knows? In five years, Legal Organics may become the new Starbucks.”

“The re-branding of this competition from Business Plan competition to Be Your Own Boss Bowl reflects our drive for continuing strong participation in entrepreneurship throughout Temple,” said M. Moshe Porat, Dean of the Fox School of Business and Management.

The competition was open to students, alumni, faculty and staff of Temple University. Those outside the university can participate if the company’s proposed CEO or team leader is Temple affiliated. There are two levels of competition, one for undergraduate students and another for graduate students, alumni, faculty and staff.

“Participants don’t have to be business students to do well in the competition,” said Jaine Lucas, director of the IEI. “Everyone can be their own boss and control their own future.”

If you are a non-business student or new to the business world, the IEI can pair you with a business honors student who will help you develop the marketing, operations or financial portion of your plan. Workshops are also ongoing.

Winners will receive monetary awards, including the grand prize of $10,000 plus $15,000 worth of business products and services.

This year's winners on their way to "becoming their own boss" include:

Grand Prize
Brian Linton
College of Liberal Arts (Undergraduate) ‘08
Legal Organics

First Place, Undergraduate
Jenna Strausser
Fox School of Business ‘08
The Riverview Inn

Second Place, Undergraduate
John Kosempel, Dennis Samuel, Kyle McDaniel, Jusin Thomas
College of Engineering ‘08
Powltik Technologies

First Place, Graduate/Alumni/Faculty/Staff
Melanie Tambolas
Beasley School of Law ‘08
The After-Schoolhouse

Second Place, Graduate/Alumni/Faculty/Staff
Andrew Hopkins, Fox School of Business, MBA ‘08
Manish Naik, Lousiana State University
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