June 1, 2009

Through the generosity of alumna and Drexel Trustee Nina Henderson, Westphal students have a special opportunity to develop their creative business ideas in The Henderson Entrepreneurship Challenge each year. The challenge is designed to encourage students to gain a better understanding of the business world and an understanding of business and product creation. This year, the three winning teams were all comprised of Design & Merchandising students.

First Place went to Whitney Enck, Courtney Landis, Wendy Staloff and Danielle Loder for PURE, a premium direct seller of women-specific, all-natural vitamins, supplements and products. PURE representatives would assist in hosting in-home parties for women seeking products that are not easily accessible in parts of Pennsylvania. Stephanie Fortunato, Samantha Edwards, Antonella Durantine and Elise Shim received Second Place for Novel Notions, a retail store that provides the mature and elderly market with products to aid in daily tasks that may have become difficult as a result of advancing age. Third Place went to Julia Friedland, Amanda McPartland, Arianna Riccioni, Lesli Fonte and Dana Dougherty for Fresh Paint Skate Shop, a skateboarding retail store and school specifically catered to 6-12 year-olds in Southern New Jersey.

Congratulations to our students and to Design & Merchandising Professor, Beth Phillips, who was the faculty mentor for all three winning teams.