The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.
Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1133083
TO THE TUNE OF FIRST PLACE Students pitch inventions from a tuning device, a solution for cat owners and a mobile app at the 2019 E Day BY SHARON SULLIVAN As a guitar teacher and technician, Aaron Frick has replaced many machine tuners throughout the years. The Colorado Mesa University student, who is majoring in music and business, had discovered a tuner that seemed to work better than other versions. However, the tuner required major guitar modifications, which invalidates warranties on new instruments and devalues vintage models. “My invention solves that problem,” Frick said. “The FrickIn Tune is a super simple device that slips on an existing machine head. It will make stringing a guitar easier and faster.” Associate Professor of Music Sean Flanigan, who teaches Frick’s entrepreneurship for creatives class, suggested that Frick learn how to approach potential investors by entering the Entrepreneurship Day (E Day) Elevator Pitch contest. Elevator pitches are 90-second speeches that entrepreneurs keep in their back pocket ready to deliver at a moment’s notice. With coaching from E Day Adviser and Instructor of Business Georgann Jouflas, Frick learned to convey his idea succinctly and convincingly to potential investors. Brandon VanDenBosch along with teammates Rikki Cook and Sam Speir want to patent their “Catio” invention — a window attachment that allows cat owners to place a litter box outside the home. The Catio includes a ramp with special carpet that lets felines’ paws spread so that the litter falls out and is not tracked into the house. “I met Rikki in one of my classes,” VanDenBosch said. “Sam and Rikki were building (the Catio) and asked me to help pitch and build a business plan.” The third E Day finalist team, Austin Rickstrew and Danielle Fleig, were in their entrepreneurship 450 class when Fleig asked Rickstrew to help develop a business plan for her “HELP personal assistant” app idea. Fleig came up with the idea while working as a personal assistant to an elderly client. Her client was having a tough time finding a suitable replacement for when Fleig would graduate and move on. “We found a lot of people don’t want to move into assisted living (facilities),” Rickstrew said. The team wanted to help people in their search for a reliable in-home assistant in a timely manner. The app would allow people to hire someone to help with housekeeping, ground maintenance, technical assistance and more. . E Day attendees voted on the three Elevator Pitch finalists during the luncheon. Frick took home first place and $1,000 in seed money; VanDenBosch, Cook and Speir placed second and won $750; and Rickstrew and Fleig came in third winning $250. • Aaron Frick presented FrickIn Tune, a device for stringing guitars; Brandon VanDenBosch, Sam Speir and Rikki Cook pitched the Catio, a window attachment that allows cat owners to put litter boxes outside; Danielle Fleig and Austin Rickstrew created the HELP personal assistant, an app for seniors to request in-home assistance.