Raleigh, NC (April 23, 2025) – Wake Tech Business Administration students help local businesses solve the problems of the real world, and they showed their ideas and talents during a Capstone showcase on Southern Wake Campus on Wednesday.
Dr. Lorraine Powers, Associate Professor of Business Administration, led the project starring employers’ collaborations and experiential learning as part of its faculty innovation scholarship with the higher education forum.
In total, 57 students from its course on business management issues spent the spring semester collaborating as a team as a student consultant helping local business owners develop strategies and plans.
The 12 teams presented their recommendations in front of their peers, their customer partners and their guests in the window.
“My goal was to help students demonstrate what they learned in college in real contexts and develop their skills and networking experiences,” said Powers.
Each of the consulting teams worked with their commercial client to develop a plan to overcome an identified challenge. Some of the projects included data research, e-mail marketing, social media engagement, employee manuals and community awareness. Small businesses extend to health care, non -profit, media, physical condition and services, offering students various and significant customer experiences.
“This opportunity fills the gap between class learning and industry expectations, providing real consulting experience and the employer’s direct commitment,” said Powers. “Each team applied their academic knowledge to identify, analyze and provide recommendations for a challenge or an organizational opportunity.”
The Spencer Turpin team has helped execute email drop campaigns for SHRUNK 3D Inc., a company that offers personalized 3D figurines in the triangle area.
“We had a very good team and I liked to know more about marketing and the company,” said Turpin. “I had 18 different scripts for emails and phone calls that I had to write, and I had never done it before, so it was a very good experience.”
Ally Roberts, the owner of a new small business naturally named Nectar, was delighted with the collaboration. Naturally, the nectar offers natural and modified liquids for a person with dysphagia. His student consultant team helped design promotional content, has created a social media plan and developed a list of health establishments for monitoring awareness.
“These students were so wonderful because I am on a solo-prorner at the moment, doing everything, from marketing to finance monitoring to disseminate the name of my business,” said Roberts. “It was a phenomenal project, and the students worked so hard. It was really an excellent opportunity for new business owners to benefit from students’ knowledge, and I hope I can be involved again.”
A special thank you to all the small businesses that have been customers for the project:
- Advance community health – Ryan McCarthy and Veronica Creech
A federal qualified health center offering inclusive and affordable health care to the unprecedented populations in the counties of Wake and Franklin - Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation – Kris Ference
A non -profit organization focused on patient support, advocacy and fundraising for people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis - Davis insurance and financing – Matt Davis
A bilingual agricultural agency offering personalized insurance and financial services through the triangle - Endurance fence – Mark Campbell
A personalized fencing company known for its craft and deep community involvement in Holly Springs - Local time brewery – Chris Gallagher
A brasserie based on Holly Springs mixing global inspiration with the local community to make significant experiences and drinks - Majestic health care – Katoya Wright
A practice of health and well-being of women focused on the empowerment of women through education and comprehensive care - Natural nectar – Ally Roberts
A speech therapy company specializing in dysphagia management for adults in several healthcare areas - NC Pros Pros Power Lash – Jessica Richey
A company belonging to women and the minority offering electricity washing services and expert surface catering with a strong accent on customer satisfaction - Apex positively – Leslie Lockhart
A local magazine and a media platform that highlights good news and strengthens links between residents and APEX companies - Roots with a goal – Jennifer Losee
A basic non -profit organization supporting neighbors not abbreviated in the county of Wake by awareness, fundraising and the commitment of volunteers. - Rucker women – Colleen Flaherty
A brand of well-being and an online community promoting physical form and empowerment thanks to the practice of weighted walking or “rause”. - 3D shrunk – Eric Weireter
A company offering personalized 3D printed figurines in the triangle area.
