My top three favorite businesses from the Empower Your Dreams Competition were Exotic Tales, Yoi!, and Rockas Bing. Even though they were in different industries, each one impressed me with its unique business model.

 

First up is Exotic Tales, founded by Cannon, who comes from a long line of travel industry experts. Exotic Tales is a travel company that crafts custom itineraries inspired by your favorite book. For instance, if you're a big Harry Potter fan, they'll take you to London, where J.K. Rowling found her inspiration. Or maybe you'd like a trip to Alnwick Castle, the real-life Hogwarts. Personally, I'd love to embark on a Narnia adventure tour. With some funding, I think that Exotic Tales could really thrive. Considering the passion that fans have for series like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.

 

Next is Yoi! This business idea caught my attention with its mental health journal. The creator grew an impressive 55,000 followers and 7 million views on Instagram. He then conducted a survey among them. About 700 people expressed interest in buying a mental health journal. That's a conversion rate of roughly 1.2%, but it could be even higher considering not everyone might have seen or filled out the survey. This idea has great potential for profitability. Even if just 500 journals are sold at $10 each, that's $5,000. Plus, if it's an online journal, the owner won't have to worry about shipping costs. Personally, I found Yoi! to be my favorite, mainly due to the clear and compelling presentation by the owner.

 

Lastly, Rockas Bing stood out with its innovative approach to Taiwanese shaved ice. Operating from a mobile truck on the North Shore, the owner can set up shop wherever there's space. Additionally, they've secured a spot in the Kahuku food trucks starting this fall, ensuring a steady stream of potential customers passing by daily. With his business doing well already, Rockas Bing has a promising future ahead. I haven't had a chance to try their shaved ice yet, but after hearing about it, I'm eager to give it a taste.

 

Overall, participating in the Empower Your Dreams Competition was an incredible experience. It gave me the chance to meet inspiring entrepreneurs and learn about their amazing businesses. From creating the business plan to presenting it to the judges, I gained valuable insights. Sandy Feet, the business we worked on, was just the beginning. I'm excited to embark on more entrepreneurial ventures in the future.