Staten Island Chamber’s YEA! Student Takes First Place in National Competition!
By: Danielle Wiseman, Workforce Development Coordinator and YEA! Program Manager
On Saturday, May 3rd, Anna Lau, CEO and Founder of Snugshi, won the Young Entrepreneurs Academy national competition, taking home a $5,500 cash prize, a $30,000 scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology, a full tuition scholarship to the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, and the title of America’s Next Top Young Entrepreneur.
The virtual competition, hosted by the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, featured 27 student businesses across the country who all had the opportunity to compete for funding and college scholarships. Similar to a “Shark Tank” competition, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy national competition requires students to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges, who then get an opportunity to ask questions.
Anna, a sophomore at Staten Island Technical High School, came up with the idea for her business, Snugshi, when she saw her mom using a traditional hot water bottle for period cramps. Anna wanted to create a longer lasting, more visually appealing product for on-the-go period care that women wouldn’t feel embarrassed to use in public. That’s where Snugshi comes in: a heated, weighted, and rechargeable stuffed animal that users can place right on their stomachs, whenever they need it. Snugshi is charged with a simple USB-C wire and features multiple heating levels, allowing users to customize based on their needs.
For the last six months, Anna has been enrolled in Staten Island’s chapter of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, hosted by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Now in its 11th year on Staten Island, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy has guided over 200 high school students through the process of becoming entrepreneurs. Over the course of 16 weeks, students attend weekly business development sessions, starting with the brainstorming phase and ending by turning their passion into a business idea.
“The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is one of the most rewarding programs that the Chamber offers because we get the chance to watch students become confident entrepreneurs,” emphasizes Linda Baran, President and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “The program really serves as a catalyst for so many young individuals who are interested in exploring the world of entrepreneurship, and over the years we’ve seen several successful businesses launch as a result of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.”
Earlier this year, Anna competed in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Staten Island competition alongside 13 of her peers. At the local level, Anna placed first, earning $1,500 toward her business and a Board of Directors scholarship of $1,000 to further her education. Anna, as well as Chloe Yuen, CEO and founder of Charmed by You, and Gabriella Shalmiyev, CEO and founder of Nutrio Power, also secured spots at the national competition. Throughout the program, students are exposed to all aspects of entrepreneurship, including interacting with over 75 leaders in the local business community. In addition to meeting with industry experts and hearing from guest speakers throughout the semester, students are also paired with personalized mentors that help students refine their business plans, products, and pitches.
“This was my first year mentoring for the program, and I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to work with Anna,” says Matt Granberg, CEO and founder of MG Collectibles and Toys. “She’s driven, smart, and she really believes in her mission- it’s a no brainer that she’s become an entrepreneur. I’m really excited to see where Snugshi goes next, and we may even have a partnership in the pipeline.”
Under the instruction of Dr. Janet Leslie, CEO and founder of Gift of Experience, LLC and the Leslie-Carter Group, LLC, students feel the freedom to explore their ideas in the collaborative environment that the Staten Island Chamber has created. With the help of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, Anna has been able to transform her business from a sketch into a product, with big goals of entering the retail market in the coming years.
The Staten Island Young Entrepreneurs Academy would not be possible without the generous support of our key partners, Con Edison, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and Councilman David Carr, in addition to various other program sponsors. Thank you to the Staten Island community for making this program a reality for our students.
You can follow Snugshi on Instagram at @snugshi.co to stay up to date with news about ways to purchase. Congratulations to Anna on making Staten Island stronger, one small business at a time!