by Ysolt Usigan
Award: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED'S (NASE) FUTURE ENTREPRENEUR SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: Four-year, renewable scholarship of $24,000 goes to the grand prize winner; $4,000 one-year scholarships to 20 other selected students
Deadline: Spring 2005
Details: The contest recognizes future entrepreneurs for their academic performance, leadership abilities, business experience, school and community participation, and financial needs. Surf www.nase.org for more information.
Real-Winner Secret:
There was no question that this young entrepreneur would go places some day. But the opportunity from NASE, in some ways, took her to a level she didn't think was possible. "I probably wouldn't be at Cornell [University] right now without [the scholarship]," says Joy Longfellow.
She's earned a spot at the Ithaca, NY school, and is now majoring in Plant Science. And with the help of her scholarship winnings, she's able to fund the scholastic endeavor that will take her to great heights as a business owner. The Ivy League education, along with her past experiences with horticulture, will eventually lead her to start her dream greenhouse business.
As for the winner's secret? She says many factors contributed to her winning. The scholarship contest required a five-year business plan for a business that the applicant had either started or planned to start, a letter of recommendation, information on high school involvement as well as grades, and a personal essay. The three finalists underwent a phone interview during which they had to answer questions about entrepreneurship. When Joy won, she couldn't believe it. "I was so shocked when I won because I wasn't expecting to win a national [competition]," she says. "But, I think it was mainly due to the experience and education I've received first-hand about [the nature of my business endeavor] from my uncle and father."
Her family's present business in horticulture wholesale operation is a model she's planning to emulate. With that, she hopes to branch out and develop other aspects of the trade, such as seed production and distribution, and organic gardening.
"My Uncle Bill has been a big part of my desire to pursue this field," she explains. "He has been my boss for the past 10 years, and has really been a great example of how to make a greenhouse business work."
Now, the 19-year-old freshman works in the Plant Pathology department at her school, and spends a lot of time in Cornell's greenhouses and plant pathology lab planting various seeds for study.
"I love working with plants and being outside," says Joy. "It's so satisfying [for me] to watch something I plant grow, develop, and finally be shipped out for sale."
Combining a passion for gardening with her leadership aspirations is something that Joy has always wanted to do. Her advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs (no matter the industry): Plan wisely and network. "Make connections with knowledgeable people in the field that you want to pursue," she asserts. "Look for scholarships that would enable you to follow through with these goals far beyond high school and college."
To apply online go to http://www.collegebound.net/studentrewards/scholarships/entrepreneur.html
