On Thursday, September 12, NIU business students gathered in the De La Vega Innovation Lab for a creativity and collaboration challenge called Business Blitz. This once-a-semester event brings together students from across campus to brainstorm and develop an entrepreneur-ready marketing solution.
This year’s entrepreneur was alumnus David Haas, ’05, MBA ’06, who asked participants to find solutions for his business, The Miracle Method. The Haas company provided an interesting marketing case in which the students were tasked with brainstorming how to reach the age of 65 and the best public to make more aware of their business. The students not only had to impress Haas with their idea, but they also had to learn the art of giving an excellent elevator pitch. As an attorney and graduate of NIU COB’s professional sales program, Haas has been instrumental in coaching students on how to best present themselves to business owners and get buy-in from stakeholders.
“I enjoyed partnering with the De La Vega Innovation Lab on this event. Innovation is at the heart of what marketers do—they’re always trying new ideas and iterating to surprise and delight their customers,” said Haas.
While the event was designed to showcase all of the offerings of the NIU Marketing Department, such as the Digital Marketing Certificate program for students and the Professional Sales certificate program for students, NIU students of any major were eligible to participate in this event. In fact, the Business Blitz was created, in part, to engage the participation of students who want to get a feel for what marketing classes are or want to explore a career in marketing.
This year’s first place winners were Rachel Rutledge, Venus Dorantes, Genevieve Garcia and Macy Harris.
“I really enjoyed working collaboratively with other students from different majors to bounce ideas off each other,” Rutledge said. She left the event not only with the first place prize – a $500 scholarship – but also with new business skills. “Participating in the Business Blitz helped me with my pitching skills and showed me the areas I need to improve on, as well as how to use my time efficiently.”
The second place team consisted of Ryan Kish, Catherine Villegas, Skyler Gates and Abby Tinsley.
“I liked the aspect of friendly competition and coming together to push a company that is struggling with a problem,” said Kish – a management and sales student who won a $250 scholarship. “We were everyone brainstormed in the best interests of the company, and through that, all the teams had amazing ideas.”
While he is not a marketing major, Kish said he enjoyed the challenge that the event took him outside of his comfort zone to further his college development, making him a more well-rounded and capable student.
The third place team includes students Damien Maldonado, Jennifer Tsaras, Freddie Martinez, Ariana Nova and Emma Blasinki.
Michele Kaczka, marketing instructor and internship coordinator, was instrumental in planning and overseeing this event and praised the students for their hard work.
“The energy of the students at this semester’s Business Blitz was contagious to everyone who was in attendance,” said Kaczka. “I was so impressed by the collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking displayed by our students—many of whom I had just met that night—as they worked in teams to solve a real-life marketing problem. The event itself is been a credit to the mission of the Dela Vega Innovation Laboratory”.
Our next NIU Business Blitz will be held in Spring 2025 and will be open to all NIU students. The event aims to encourage students to work together as a team, with faculty and alumni mentors, making this event an ongoing opportunity for our entire Huskie community to grow and work together.
Learn more about ours De La Vega Innovation Lab.