51福利社

Author Jennifer Lee '25 is a Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship major and works as a student assistant at 51福利社, contributing to 51福利社 News.

Innovation was in the air at 51福利社 Charlotte’s 2025 Sharkfest competition as students, faculty and staff watched five talented student entrepreneurs step onto the stage to present their business ideas to a panel of industry expert judges.

How the Competition Works

Each of the five finalists was given a limited amount of time to pitch their concept, including their mission, target market, competitive advantage and future plans. The pitches are followed by a short Q&A session with the judges.

The panel of judges included business professionals and industry experts:

• Spencer C. Disher, adjunct professor, 51福利社 Charlotte and member of the Board of Directors of NC IDEA
• Joe Marley, managing partner, Beaune, LLC
• Manny Rodrigues, president and chief operating officer, Broad River Retail / Ashley HomeStore and member of the Board of Directors of Beds for Kids & CMPF

The judges evaluated each student’s pitch based on key criteria: innovation, feasibility, market potential and overall presentation. Then they had the tough job of deciding who would walk away as the first-place winner and the grand prize of $3,000.

In addition to the judges’ picks, the audience played a role. Attendees voted for their favorite business for the People’s Choice Award. This dual scoring format highlighted not only strong business strategy but also community engagement and impact. After an intense round of finalists’ pitches and thoughtful deliberation from the judges, it was time for the moment everyone had been waiting for — the announcement of this year’s Sharkfest winner.

Sharkfest 2025 Finalists and Award Winners

• John Billinis ’26: Switchables — First Place and People's Choice Award
• Sierra Blair ’25: Blair’s Bake Shop — Second Place
• Whittany Burgess ’25: Jerzee Bayou — Third Place
• Cathrine Caldwell-Sandy ’27: Sunshine Scholars — Honorable Mention
• Landon Stanback ’26: Swap Closet — Honorable Mention

A Case for Creativity: Reinventing Phone Accessories with Style and Simplicity

For John Billinis ’26, an idea that struck him back in high school while working on an assignment turned into a business idea that would later shine at 51福利社’s Sharkfest. That idea? Switchables, a customizable phone case company.

“I was tired of boring and expensive phone cases,” explained John, a Corporate Accounting/Financial Analysis major. “So, I decided to make a change, and I came up with Switchables.” A Switchables phone case lets users switch out a design but keep the same case. The concept originated in high school but was set aside until the Sharkfest opportunity inspired a revival. With edits, updates and a renewed passion, the idea came to life.

Despite the limited time to prepare for the Sharkfest competition — just four days amidst a packed schedule of classes and work — the experience for John was thrilling. “Oddly enough, I wasn’t nervous, I was excited. I always dreamed of owning a business and pitching it on ‘Shark Tank.’ It felt like that moment was meant for me.”

To students considering pitching ideas next year, John offers two key pieces of advice: keep it simple and be confident. “Simplicity and relatability are the best ways to keep the audience engaged. And remember, you were selected to do this for a reason — go out there and show them why,” said John. “Many people try to overcomplicate a pitch. I just kept it simple so everyone could underst and and follow it,” he added. His clear communication style paid off — not only did Switchables win first-place, but it also won the People’s Choice Award.

Feedback from the Sharkfest judges also helped shape John’s mindset going forward. “They told me to be prepared for the challenges of competition. They encouraged me to think outside the box and look at things from different angles.”

Looking ahead, there's a practical and thoughtful plan in place to grow the company. Rather than rushing into things, John plans to perfect the prototype, find reliable suppliers and handle the foundational business tasks like setting up a business account, managing shipping logistics and forming an LLC. “Most small businesses fail within the first year,” he said. “I want to make sure I do this right.”

One exciting part of John’s business growth strategy involves collaboration with local artists and fellow college students. “There are so many creative people out there who want to express their ideas. Working with them is the best way to grow the company and the brand,” he explained.

So, what’s next for Switchables? “I told myself if I placed first, I’d try to make this a reality. I believe in the company and the product. It won’t be easy, and it might statistically fail, but you never know unless you try. So don’t be surprised if, a year from now, you see a Switchables phone case out in the world.”

Sharing Bahamian Culture Through Food and Education

Blair’s Bake Shop is a commercial kitchen concept planned for launch in The Bahamas. The space will offer fun and educational cooking classes designed for kids, families and tourists. When classes are not in session, the kitchen will serve as a rental space for local food entrepreneurs who lack access to commercial facilities, particularly when preparing for larger events.

Choosing The Bahamas, specifically Nassau, as the bake shop’s location was an easy decision. "The Bahamas is where I’m from," shared Sierra Blair ’25, a Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship major. "I see great potential for Blair’s Bake Shop. Tourism is our number one industry, and I can definitely see myself tapping into that market. I want to create a space that welcomes both locals wanting to learn how to cook various cuisines and visitors who want to experience Bahamian culture through food."

Sharkfest proved to be a pivotal moment in shaping Sierra’s business. “It definitely helped me expand my idea for Blair’s Bake Shop. Preparing a clear and concise pitch made me think deeper about how the business could grow and serve multiple purposes. It also allowed me to look at the bigger picture and envision what Blair’s Bake Shop could become in the future.”

The inspiration behind Sierra’s business stems from a long-standing love for cooking and education. “I actually started Blair’s Bake Shop on a much smaller scale back home, offering home-based cooking and baking lessons for kids. A lady from my church even booked a session as a Christmas gift for her son, which showed me there was real interest.” Her YouTube series, “The Sierra & Roman Cooking Show,” which she started with her younger brother during COVID-19, also played a role in inspiring the concept. “Those experiences made me want to turn this into something bigger.”

Preparing for Sharkfest wasn’t without its challenges. “The hardest part was making sure I could say everything I needed to in under five minutes. I wanted the judges to really understand my vision, so I practiced a lot — with other participants and on my own. It was tough to balance brevity with meaning, but the process helped me grow.”

Standing in front of the judges was a mix of nerves and confidence,” said Sierra. “I was definitely a bit nervous at first, but also excited and ready. Once I started speaking, I reminded myself that this was my story and my business. I felt proud to represent my culture and personality, and it meant a lot to see the judges so engaged and interested in my idea.”

Looking ahead, Sierra has big dreams for Blair’s Bake Shop. “Next, I’d like to expand the clientele for my home-based cooking classes. There’s so much potential to reach more families and children who are interested in learning how to cook and bake in a fun, hands-on way.”

Helping Students Gain Skills, Experience and Scholarships

As a first-generation college student who faced financial hardship, Cathrine Caldwell-Sandy ’27, an Entrepreneurship major, was inspired to create more than just a food business — she wanted to build a mission-driven culinary venture that helps students fund their college education.

“Many people in America can’t afford college or don’t have a mentor to tell them about scholarships, college life and how college can help you grow, especially in marginalized communities,” Cathrine explained. Through Sunshine Scholars Café & Bistro, a brick-and-mortar café and bistro specializing in Caribbean cuisine, she aims to make a tangible difference in such communities and support young people on their educational journeys.

How will Cathrine’s business help students pay for college? Her plan includes hiring high school students as interns who would learn front-of-the-house, back-of-the-house and management skills. “These things will help them gain experience to boost their résumé,” she said.

Not only will the students who intern at the Sunshine Scholars Cafe & Bistro gain skills and experience, they will earn money to be used towards their college education. Interns would earn $500 monthly towards a scholarship that will be paid to the college they attend to help cover the cost of tuition. “They must work a minimum of 50 hours of each month, and they can intern with us until their high school graduation,” shared Cathrine.

Cathrine’s own college experience played a major role in shaping the business. “College was a good decision for me. I gained connections and networking skills that I wouldn't have if I stayed home,” she shared. Her involvement in clubs and student leadership, even back in high school, helped her build a strong sense of community and support — values she carries forward into her business model.

The inspiration behind Sunshine Scholars is deeply personal. “I’ve always loved cooking. It was something my family bonded over.” Through her business model Cathrine will give others a fair shot for a college education while also helping to prepare them for their careers as they learn useful skills and gain important experience.

Visit 51福利社

Transfer to 51福利社