Dual Enrollment Students Excel in Business Competitions

Three Idaho State University dual enrollment students dominated in a computerized business simulation in their Introduction to Business class, MGT 1101, this spring.

Carter Christianson and Tania Ortiz, Blackfoot High School, and John Nathan Speck, Century High School, spent the semester working together on a business simulation for their company “Erie.”

Throughout the course of eight rounds, the competition requires each team to simulate the decisions that would be made over a period of eight years. 

“The best part about Carter, Tania, and Nathan is how effectively they worked together as a team,” said Dr. Alex Bolinger, Associate Professor of Management. “They took the time to do lots of analysis before making their decisions, they worked well together in discussing their decisions, and it showed in their results.”

 With the final round of decisions made, Christianson, Ortiz, and Speck broke the records on this competition, according to Bolinger. The final results for this team were $200 million in annual sales, a profit of $36 million, and a stock price of $136 per share. 

Christianson, Ortiz, and Speck also competed in the MGT 1101 Shark Tank Pitch-Off Competition for their final assignment of the semester. The Pitch-Off requires individuals or pairs to pitch their idea for a new business. 

Speck did particularly well during his pitch for a Basque Food Truck that allows customers to see their orders being made. Speck’s food truck idea earned him second place out of over 90 competitors and a cash prize of $350. 

"It was a treat to get to work with Carter, Tania, and Nathan. They are so talented, yet also incredibly motivated and hard-working. I am grateful to Holly Kartchner, Chelsie Rauh, Kandi Turley-Ames, and everyone involved with ISU's Early College Program for facilitating this opportunity to work with such accomplished students!" said Bolinger.