Representatives from Metro Atlanta teen-led companies claimed four of the five awards presented at the JA North American Company of the Year Competition, which was held on July 17th and 18th at Boston’s Northeastern University. The competition, organized by Junior Achievement and sponsored by FedEx and HP, brought together 20 companies from the U.S. and Canada to compete for the title of Best North American Company. With five companies in contention, Atlanta was the most strongly represented city at the competition.
“We were so pleased to have five companies from our after school program, the JA Fellows, selected for the JA North American Company of the Year Competition,” said Jack Harris, president of Junior Achievement of Georgia. “We feel that the JA Fellows truly provides the in-depth business experience necessary to make our students successful not only at this competition, but also as they enter the workforce. We are incredibly proud of our students’ strong performance at this exciting competition.”
“Globalization and on-time logistics have changed businesses around the world. Our support of Junior Achievement and this Competition is helping students understand the value of business and free enterprise, and helping them learn how to succeed in a global market economy. It is also helps ensure that students from all walks of life have access to extraordinary educational opportunities.” said Mike Ducker, President, International FedEx Express.
The competition was JA Worldwide®’s annual celebration of the accomplishments of student entrepreneurs, ages 15-19, who participated in Junior Achievement. The Georgia students were members of the JA Fellows, Junior Achievement of Georgia’s entrepreneurship-focused after school program whose members started and ran their own businesses. The chosen companies were: Alpharetta-based Circle of Life, Marietta-based GAIA, Atlanta-based JUMP, Sandy Springs-based MagneticKits and Atlanta-based Project My World.
“The JA North American Company of the Year Competition in Boston was truly an eye opening experience. Every company had a unique business plan and marketing strategy,” said Kevin Shutzberg, a student at Riverwood High School in Sandy Springs and president of MagneticKits.
The Metro Atlanta companies nearly swept the awards ceremony, claiming four of the five awards presented at the closing gala.
JUMP placed second as the 2009 JA North American Company of the Year and also received the FedEx Global Access Award, which recognized the company whose business plan incorporated concepts related to international trade, resource management, environmental sustainability and global market expansion. JUMP’s product, a combination flash drive/bracelet, brought in $3,600 in 13 weeks of sales. The company donated a portion of its profits to Global AIDS Alliance, Susan G. Koman for the Cure, and Make a Wish Foundation.
MagneticKits placed third as the 2009 JA North American Company of the Year. MagneticKits sold magnetized organization kits and reaped $3,000 in 13 weeks of sales, donating 20% of its profits to JA of Georgia. The company was so fiscally successful that shareholders saw a return of $10.60 per share, a 430% increase on their initial investment of $2.00 per share.
Project My World was the recipient of the HP Responsible Business Award which recognizes strong financial performance, social responsibility, environmental excellence, and innovation. The company’s product, the Eco-Tote, was a reusable grocery bag which was made of 100% recycled materials and the products itself was its own packaging, increasing its environmental friendliness. Project My World sold 800 Eco-Totes, which brought in $5,000 in sales, and donated 21% of its profits to the Georgia Conservancy.
GAIA sold reusable water bottles with water filters and was the recipient of the ACG Most Innovative Company Award at the JA Fellows Expo, the local competition which allowed them to advance to the North American level.
Circle of Life sold specially designed jewelry and donated a portion of the proceeds to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The company took third place for Best Company at the JA Fellows Expo.
“Junior Achievement has given me the opportunity to learn about the business world and has helped me decide to pursue a degree in marketing,” said Tori Miller, member of the company JUMP and recent graduate of MLK High School in Lithonia. “I truly enjoyed this experience!”
Each company was ranked by panels of independent judges based on four criteria: an annual report, company employees’ answers to questions from a panel of judges, a four-minute presentation before an audience, and a trade fair booth. Atlanta teams claimed four of the five awards presented at the closing gala: The HP Responsible Business Award, the FedEx Global Access Award, and third and second place for the 2009 JA North American Company of the Year. The title of 2009 JA North American Company of the Year went to Calgary, Alberta-based company Smile, whose product encouraged proper dental hygiene habits in children.
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