Startup Weekend in Yuma Successful for Area Student Entrepreneurs
Northern Arizona University and Arizona Western College co-sponsored a 3-day event, March 23-25, that focused on providing professional guidance to area students interested in developing skills and expertise in creating entrepreneurial businesses. Over 70 area students from Mexico, Yuma, and California participated in the activities.
Students were encouraged to register for the event by including a skeleton proposal for a “startup” business. These ideas were presented to the group on Friday evening. Participants then voted to highlight their favorite business proposals. Twelve potential business propositions were selected. Teams were formed that initiated the effort to define, substantiate the need for, and assess the public and financial support necessary to create a functional business enterprise.
Presentations were given by John Courtis, Executive Director of the Yuma Chamber of Commerce, Bosco Noronha, Senior Plant Engineer, Arizona Public Service, Margie Dallabetta, Associate Broker of Long Realty of Yuma, and Arturo Morales, Senior Director of Business Development for APA Federal Credit Union of Yuma. These keynotes provided unique perspectives as to how prospective entrepreneurs can and should develop and validate ideas relating to business goals and paths forward.
Mentoring and coaching to support the student teams was provided by academic faculties of NAU and AWC, and also by volunteers from local businesses. The expertise successful commercial leaders proved to be an exceptional asset appreciated by all student team members. Teams met as groups Saturday and part of Sunday with mentors to discuss and resolve issues ranging from environmental concerns, financial constraints and forecasts, social and educational implications, and data collection involving target customers and evaluation of concepts such as minimum viable product.
Sunday afternoon was the culmination of the weekend as teams were given the opportunity to present their ideas of business development to a group of judges, Tom Rush, Niraj Kohil, Michelle Sims, Joseph Moser, and Jim Adler, who listened and questioned participants regarding their proposed business structure.
Unknown to the students, local businesses sponsored monetary prizes for the top 4 teams. First prize went to team Netwoon. Their business proposal involved the concept of designing a video game for use on a cell phone to identify user interaction with chemicals. Second place was awarded to a team that promoted VetBot, an app created to provide medical assistance for pets. Third place was earned by a group called bRingItOn. Their idea was to develop a personal manager app that could be coded into a ring worn by users. Honorable Mention was designated to Plume which was organized to promote music and art residence in local communities.
Organizers of this event are appreciative of the support of the many sponsors including the Yuma Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, 4FRONTED, the AWC Small Business Development Center, the NAU Yuma Business Innovation Accelerator, the Matador Business Incubator, and entrepreneurship programs from Mexican educational institutions including CETYS, Universidad Politecnica de Baja California, and Universidad Techológica de San Luis Rio Colorado.
The success of this event was due to the combined efforts of many volunteer community leaders, but special acknowledgement should be afforded to Dr. Rakesh Pangasa, Dr. Mike Sabbath, and Dr. Alex Steenstra of NAU, and Randy Nelson, Dr. Linda Elliott-Nelson, and Shahrooz Roohparvar of AWC, for their efforts in coordinating this event.
Written by and photos by Dr. Frank Kidd, NAU-Yuma
Department of Business and Administration’s 2018 Student of the Year: Shelsy Pavon
Meet Shelsy
Shelsy Pavon was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona. While attending classes at Arizona Western College she learned about the NAU-Yuma campus and chose Northern Arizona University (NAU) to continue her education. Shelsy is currently 
pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with an emphasis in global management and plans to earn her Master of Global Business Administration (MGBA) degree from NAU-Yuma. She said, “NAU has offered me the opportunity to stay in my home town while I continue to work on my degree.” Since her first day at NAU, Shelsy has dedicated herself to long days and nights studying to succeed on her academic journey.
Today on behalf of the Department of Business and Administration, please join me in congratulating Shelsy Pavon for being selected as the Student of the Year for 2018.
Describe your experience as a student at NAU.
While attending classes at Arizona Western College, I was searching for an institution that offered a degree in business that was affordable. I learned about NAU-Yuma and applied to continue my education. My experience at NAU has been a unique practice of day-to-day learning that I will never forget. The professors at NAU-Yuma have made my experience so memorable. The learning environment is great and the professors are flexible and attentive. The small classroom size made it easier for me to connect with the professors and other students who are pursuing a degree in the same discipline.
Congratulations on being selected as Student of the Year (SOTY). That is quite an honor, what does it mean to you?
Being selected as SOTY for 2018 has been an honor for me. This award means a lot to me and my family because it demonstrates that my hard work was not overlooked, and it has paid off. I am very thankful for being selected as SOTY. Words cannot explain the pride I feel and how lucky I am to be able to share with others one of greatest accomplishments in my academic journey.
What academic achievement are you most proud of and why?
Every achievement received has been very important to me. Being recognized for my hard work and for excelling has helped me push myself even further. One important lesson I’ve learned so far is to never stop working and to try harder every time because it takes many long nights and a lot of effort to be successful.
Who has been the most influential person regarding achieving your academic goals?
The two most influential people regarding achieving my academic goals are my parents. My parents have always supported me and pushed me to be better and to do better. My parents have been with me throughout my academic journey and they always provide me with motivation to try harder than the day before.
“…yes, you can and you will be there soon.”
Who are your role models? Who impresses you most in how s/he lives his/her life and why?
Several people are important to me and to my academic journey, but when referring to role models I will once again say my parents, Frank and Connie. They impress me with their manners and lifestyle. They are always caring for other people and are always giving and loving to others. They have molded me into the responsible female I am today in both my personal and educational life. They have also taught me the meaning of respect and responsibility. According to my parents, “Be good and positive and success will soon knock on your door.”
What values are most important to you? How have they helped you on your academic journey?
Balance and faith are the most important values for me. Balance has helped me in my academic journey because it’s a reminder that there is a time for everything and that there has to be a balance between enjoying life and working hard for the future. Balance has kept me focused on working hard to finish my undergraduate degree too. Faith has helped me in my academic journey because it has kept me from giving up on myself and helped me to keep on going.
Outside of your classes, what activity has been the most important in terms of your personal growth?
Outside of my classes I am an active person and I love to run, hike, and lift weights. Anything that includes working out has always been an important activity for me. Without health it is hard to enjoy life. Personal growth has also come from improving my community through my church such as, aiding in the coordination of community events and volunteering in local events including: harvest festivals, Easter events, and youth events.
How do you define a good leader? How will you aspire to be a good leader in your professional and/or personal life?
A good leader to me is someone that can motivate, inspire, and have a positive impact on others. I aspire to be a good leader in my personal life and professional life by doing just that, motivating, inspiring, and impacting peoples’ lives in a positive way. Understanding others and developing good communication skills is the key to becoming a good leader.
What are your post-graduation plans and where do you see yourself in five years?
After graduation I want to work for a global business company. Additionally, I am interested in investing in and flipping residential real estate. Generally speaking, I would like to work for a company that will help me enrich my knowledge and encourage me to apply what I have learned in my studies.
In five years I see myself as a successful, positive, and optimistic woman. I will probably be working for myself, flipping and selling homes and commercial properties in a variety of states. I also see myself learning from my good and bad experiences and turning every struggle into a positive learning opportunity.
What tips would you give to other students to help them achieve their academic goals?
A tip I would give to other students is to find the balance between having fun and staying focused on your academic and personal goals. Successful students should create goals, make school a priority, take responsibility, participate, attend classes, and ask questions when needed. It is important to prepare yourself in every possible way so you can develop into that successful person you want to be.
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