Fostering the Entrepreneurial Mindset In Budding Innovators

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Posted on February 26, 2026 by Amanda Akey

Amanda Akey

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The Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in partnership with the University of South Alabama Common Read/Common World program, hosted a Creative Pitch Competition this spring. The Melton Center believes that the entrepreneurial mindset is for all people, and the competition was inspired by University Common Read author Margaret Renkl. Renkl, an Alabama native, exhibits an entrepreneurial mindset through her books, columns, public speaking and community outreach.

The competition invited undergraduate students to submit original business pitches for a chance to secure seed funding.More than 25 students, representing six of the University’s colleges, competed for three top honors:

First Place: Kimberle Johnson, a nursing major, was awarded $250 for Just For You, a specialized sensory play studio tailored to the needs of children with disabilities.
Second Place: Mitchell College of Business students Caroline McCracken and Joi Williams received $150 for their pitch of Plate.d, a platform that captures social media cooking content and translates it into functional, step-by-step recipes.
Third Place: Quanesha Cole, a student at the Mitchell College of Business, received $100 for Realty Reach, which would allow real estate agents with disabilities to conduct virtual tours, manage listings and communicate with clients—all from the comfort of their own homes.

“Entrepreneurship can open doors for all students,” said Dr. Jen Zoghby, an associate professor of Management & Entrepreneurship. “This Creative Pitch Competition allowed our undergraduate students a chance to showcase their innovative ideas.”

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