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Brendan Shepherd, a senior majoring in business administration, placed third in the fifth annual Student Business Plan Competition, held by Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. He received $2,500 in seed money to start Shepherd’s Home Services, LLC, a remodeling business.
Among 223 students who participated, eight were from Clarion, including Shepherd, finalist Ken Kelly and semifinalist Farrah Cornick. The eight students worked with Clarion University Small Business Development Center consultants and student interns to develop formal business plans which were reviewed by PASSHE economic development representatives.
Prizes ranged from $10,000 for first place to $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for
third place, awarded to a student or group of students to be used for start-up funds
for their business.
A graduate student, Kelly was recognized as a finalist with his submission of Red
Fern Farms, a non-profit charity to support local food pantries in the Johnstown area.
Clarion's Farrah Cornick was recognized as a semi-finalist with her submission for
a fitness company.
Funding for the competition was made possible through support from: Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, PNC Bank, J.P. Morgan, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, East Stroudsburg University Center of Research and Economic Development, and Marathon Studios, Inc., the first place winner from the 2011-2012.