This year’s Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition participants put in months of hard work to prepare their perfect pitches for the much-anticipated annual event. Hawk Tank is open to teams led by current college students, recent graduates, and Four Corners area high school students. This year, five Fort Lewis College teams, two San Juan College teams, two recent alumni teams, and two high school teams competed.
Their pitches ranged from outdoor gear companies to luxury streetwear brands and everything in between. The variety of business ideas highlighted the underlying purpose of the Hawk Tank competition—to give students the tools they need to realize their dreams.
Additionally, this Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition was the first held in person since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s exciting to be back in person celebrating student success,” said Micheal Valdez, Fort Lewis College professor of Management, in his opening speech. “It’s amazing to see the collaboration between Fort Lewis College and San Juan College.”
The Hawk Tank Gala began with a cocktail reception accompanied by the Fort Lewis College Jazz Ensemble. The Gala would see $22,000 in prizes distributed between the four tracks: the FLC track, SLC track, alumni track, and high school track. Participants competed throughout the day by giving their pitches to a panel of judges.
Before the winners were announced, attendees were treated to a meal and a keynote speech from Jacquelene McHorse (Spanish, ’11), cofounder of Bison Star Naturals, a company that produces natural body care products. McHorse encouraged participants to push past adversity: “Not everybody's going home with a prize,” she said. “If you don't take home a prize, I think that will give you just as much strength. There are a million different ways you can acquire capital for your business, and sometimes adversity is what is going to get you to the next level.”
Throughout the Gala, McHorse’s message rang true. The evening was not just a celebration of the Hawk Tank winners but also all of the participants' forward-thinking, entrepreneurship, and willingness to collaborate and set high expectations. “Hawk Tank is so important because it allows students to use creativity,” said James Sanders III, professor of Communications at San Juan College. “The competition gives students the confidence to come in with only an idea, regardless of whether they’re an English or Biology major, and bring their ideas to life.”
Faculty weren’t the only ones in the wings to support participants—many industry leaders were also present at the Gala. A bevy of local and nationwide businesses sponsored the 7th annual event, including Swan Global Investments, Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center, the Community Foundation, the San Juan College Foundation, the Wells Group, J Bo’s Pizza & Rib Co., and Durango Hot Springs. The title sponsor for the event was Baird Wealth Management, a multinational investment bank. The number of sponsors at the event increased the visibility of students for recruitment in the future.
“ "It’s amazing to see all the business leaders here. It's also amazing to see all my teachers here, and I think it is so important just for students of not only the Business program but also every program to get their ideas out there, be able to speak their minds, and put forth what they love into the world." RUBIE TROTTER
"It’s amazing to see all the business leaders here. It's also amazing to see all my teachers here, and I think it is so important just for students of not only the Business program but also every program to get their ideas out there, be able to speak their minds, and put forth what they love into the world."
“It’s amazing to see all the business leaders here,” said Rubie Trotter, a senior studying Biology and Entrepreneurship & Small Business. “It's also amazing to see all my teachers here, and I think it is so important just for students of not only the Business program but also every program to get their ideas out there, be able to speak their minds, and put forth what they love into the world.”
After the keynote speech, there was a brief recognition of the 2021 Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition participants who were unable to celebrate last year in person. The event concluded with the announcement of the Hawk Tank winners:
High School Track:
Alumni Track:
SJC Track:
FLC Track:
Grand Prize Winner of SJC and FLC Student Tracks:
Steven Elias, dean of the School of Business Administration, gave a few comments at the event's conclusion. “Hawk Tank was amazing,” he said. “What makes it so impactful at the end of the day is that it teaches the next generation to be entrepreneurs.”
Ariel Rodriguez (Business Administration-Management, '19) made history as one of the few female tribal members ever accepted to the Federal Law Enforcement Academy. After graduating from the academy, she will work for the U.S. Forest Service in the National Park system.
The National Indian Gaming Association named Charles Decker (Marketing, '17) Best Artist of 2022. Two of his paintings are now installed at the National Indian Gaming Association’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
High Country News featured the years-long mule deer migration research of Anna Ortega (Biology, '14). Now a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wyoming, Ortega fondly recalled Jo, a celebrity ungulate whose migration data turned her into an internet sensation.
Greg LeBlanc (Biology, '13) has been hired as the new assistant town manager of the community of Snowmass Village, CO, home to Snowmass Ski Area.
Filmmaker, wilderness first responder, chef, professional snorkeler—river guides can wear more hats than just those floppy straw ones. Greg Cairns (Humanities-English Concentration, '13) talks all about the guide life in his new autobiographical film, I’m A River Guide.
Ryan Evans (Business Administration, ‘03) has made waves in the niche Belgian-style beer market with his very own “Bruz Beers.” Having struck a deal with Ska Distribution, Evans hopes to take his business to the next level and bring Belgian-inspired beers to the Southwest.