On Thursday, September 12, NIU business students gathered at the De La Vega Innovation Lab for a creativity and collaboration challenge called Business Blitz. This once-a-semester event brings together students from across campus to brainstorm and develop an out-of-the-box marketing solution for a surprise entrepreneur.
This year’s entrepreneur was alumnus David Haas, ’05, MBA ’06, who asked participants to come up with solutions for his business, Miracle Method. Haas’ company offered an interesting marketing case in which students were tasked with thinking about how to reach the 65 and over audience to bring more awareness to his business. The students not only had to impress Haas with their idea, but they also had to learn the art of delivering a great elevator pitch. As an attorney and graduate of NIU COB’s professional sales program, Haas was instrumental in training students on how they can better pitch to business owners and leverage stakeholders.
“I enjoyed joining La Vega Innovation Lab at this event. Innovation is at the core of what marketers do – always trying new ideas and iterating to surprise and delight their customers,” said Haas.
While the event was designed to showcase all of NIU’s Department of Marketing offerings, such as the undergraduate Digital Marketing Certificate program and the undergraduate Professional Sales certificate program, NIU students from any major were eligible to participate in this event. In fact, Business Blitz was created, in part, to include the participation of students who want to understand what marketing classes are like or want to explore a career in marketing.
This year’s first place winners were Rachel Rutledge, Venus Dorantes, Genevieve Garcia and Macy Harris.
“I really enjoyed working collaboratively with other students from different majors to bounce ideas off each other,” Rutledge said. She walked away from the event not only with the first place prize – a $500 scholarship – but also with new business skills. “Participating in the Business Blitz helped me with my pitching skills and showed me the areas I need to improve as well as how to use my time efficiently.”
The second place team consisted of Ryan Kish, Catherine Villegas, Skyler Gates and Abby Tinsley.
“I liked the friendly competition aspect and coming together to push a company that is struggling with a problem,” said Kish — a management and sales student who won a $250 scholarship. “We were all brainstorming about the best interests of the company, and through that, all the teams came up with some amazing ideas.”
While he is not a marketing major, Kish said he enjoyed the challenge as the event pushed him out of his comfort zone to further his collegiate development, making him a more well-rounded and well-rounded student.
The third place team included students Damien Maldonado, Jennifer Tsaras, Freddie Martinez, Ariana Nova and Emma Blasinki.
Michele Kaczka, a marketing instructor and internship coordinator, was instrumental in planning and overseeing this event and praised the students for their hard work.
“The energy of the students at this semester’s Business Blitz was contagious to all who attended,” said Kaczka. “I was very impressed by the incredible collaboration and thinking displayed by our students – many of whom had just met that night – as they worked in teams to solve a real-life marketing problem. The event itself was a credit to the mission of the Dela Vega Innovation Lab.”
Our next NIU Business Blitz will be held in the spring of 2025 and will be open to all NIU students. The event aims to encourage students to work together as a team, with faculty and alumni mentors, making this event an ongoing opportunity for our entire Huskie community to grow and work together.
Learn more about our De La Vega Innovation Lab.
