Wright Venture | Photo by Qusai Takuri | The Wright State Guardian
On Thursday, April 7, five Wright Venture semi-finalists presented their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges for a shot at a $5,000 grand prize.
Wrinkle Frinkle and other participants
Christine Moser, senior entrepreneurship major, won the grand prize with her business Wrinkle Frinkle. Wrinkle Frinkle LLC, located in Troy, Ohio, provides hand-made wood-burned cutting boards and house decorations as well as hand-stamped metal items including keychains and necklaces. Moser makes her products in her on-campus apartment and sells them on Etsy.
The young entrepreneur was inspired to start a business by friends and family asking where they could buy the knit items she hand-made, which eventually blossomed into what Wrinkle Frinkle is today.
Moser plans to use the $5,000 to improve her in-person market display and workspace.
“My vision is to open a storefront one day. I want to sell art in the front half and use the back half for packing and shipping online orders and have studios where other artists can create under the Wrinkle Frinkle brand name. I want to provide a safe, welcoming environment to a team of artists who will help me spread happiness through handmade items,” Moser said.
The second-place winner was graduate communications major Gracie Wyatt of Fully Loved and Free, a Christian-based business that provides women’s and men’s clothing that spreads love and positivity. Wyatt started Fully Loved and Free after originally selling painted doormats. Wyatt plans to use her $250 prize to fund events she attends.
“I am most excited to keep growing my business and to see where it is in five years. I hope along the way I can keep making great connections and spreading love/positivity,” Wyatt said.
The third-place winner was senior business management major Troy Oates with his business Cherries Apparel which sells high-quality sweatshirts for an affordable price. Oates made Cherries Apparel due to his love of sweatshirts and to empower those who may not have much experience in business.
The potential for experience was what drew Oates to Wright Venture. Oates plans to use his $250 prize on more inventory and bonuses to people who have helped him.
“All designs are made by aspiring artists and are then printed or embroidered through local businesses,” Oates said.
Wright Venture is currently set to return the next academic year.
