On Thursday, Sept. 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 gathers students from across campus to ideate and develop an out-of-the-box marketing solution for a surprise entrepreneur.
This year’s entrepreneur was alumnus David Haas, ’05, MBA ’06, who asked participants to find solutions for his business, Miracle Method. Haas’ company provided an interesting marketing case in which students were tasked with brainstorming how to reach the age 65 and up audience best to bring more awareness to his business. Not only did students have to impress Haas with their idea, but they also had to learn the art of giving an excellent elevator pitch. As an advocate and graduate of NIU COB’s professional sales program, Haas was helpful in coaching students on how they could best present to business owners and get buy-in from stakeholders.
“I loved getting to partner with the De La Vega Innovation Lab on this event. Innovation is at the core of what marketers do — always trying out new ideas and iterating to surprise and delight their customers,” said Haas.
While the event was designed to showcase all of the NIU Department of Marketing’s offerings, such as the Digital Marketing Certificate program for undergraduates and the Professional Sales certificate program for undergraduates, NIU undergraduates from any major were eligible to participate in this event. In fact, the Business Blitz was created, in part, to engage participation from students who want to get a feel for what marketing classes are like 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 areas that I need to improve, as well as how to utilize my time efficiently.”
The second-place team was made up of Ryan Kish, Catherine Villegas, Skyler Gates and Abby Tinsley.
“I enjoyed the aspect of friendly competition and getting together to boost a company who is struggling with an issue,” said Kish — a management and sales student who won a $250 scholarship. “We were all brainstorming in the best interests of the company, and through that, all of the teams had some amazing ideas.”
While he is not a marketing major, Kish said he enjoyed the challenge as the event brought him out of his comfort zone to further his collegiate development, making him a more well-rounded and capable student.
The third-place team included students Damien Maldonado, Jennifer Tsaras, Freddie Martinez, Ariana Nova and Emma Blasinki.
Michele Kaczka, a 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 all who were in attendance,” said Kaczka. “I was so impressed by the collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking displayed by our students — many of whom had just met that night — as they worked in teams to solve a real-life marketing problem. The event itself was a credit to the mission of the Dela Vega Innovation Lab.”
Our next NIU Business Blitz will be held in the 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 a continuous opportunity for our entire Huskie community to grow and work together.
Learn more about our De La Vega Innovation Lab.