MHS freshman’s mom-inspired box business idea wins Shark Tank nod | Local News

MARIANAS High School freshman Raymond King Jr.’s business idea, inspired by his working mother’s daily life, won the nod of the “investors” panel in the Student Shark Tank competition at MHS on Thursday.

Facilitated by Island Training Solutions or ITS, the event was part of the MHS Entrepreneurship and Small Business Course, an after-school program for students from grades 9 to 12.

Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Public School System Assistant Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna and Career and Technical Education Director Dr. Jessica Taylor witnessed the students’ business presentations.

The school event is inspired by an American reality TV show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors known as “Sharks.” “Shark Tank” serves as a metaphor for a high-pressure business environment.

The MHS Student Shark Tank competition was initiated by ITS instructor Arnel Gruspe to give high school students a glimpse of what it’s like to enter the business world.

The other competitors were senior students John Morales and Melvin Han, who proposed a partnership for NEL Clothing, an apparel business; 10th grader Rhian Alfonso, who pitched her business concept, Riviera Royale, a brand aimed at meeting the demand for luxury items; 10th grader Michelle Balensosa, who presented Terra Form, a business that “seeks to bring art into people’s lives through pottery” and offers customers “an opportunity to experience connections with nature and creativity”; and 10th grader Nowrin Bhuiyan, who shared her concept for Taste Fusion, a business serving Asian delicacies with the tagline “Where Sweet Meets Spice.”

Morales and Han took second place, while Alfonso and Balensosa tied for third, and Bhuiyan earned fourth place.

The panel of “Sharks” were MHS teachers Mindy Castro, Andrea Roberto, Christine Acbo and Dr. Marifi Doculan.

King got the idea for Raymond’s Essential Box from his mother’s daily routine: preparing for work, tending to house chores, and making sure she didn’t forget her children’s needs. With Raymond’s Essential Box, King said, “Your weekly essentials are delivered right to your door.”

He created the business for people who, like his mother, are too busy to gather their weekly essentials on their own.

Raymond’s Essential Box allows customers to fill their box with groceries and other everyday essentials, including special items from the islands. All they have to do is subscribe to receive a weekly box.

His business edge? There’s no one else on the island offering this type of service. King Jr. asked the Sharks for $20,000 in exchange for 5% equity.

“I feel good,” he said. “But I was shocked that I won. I thank all the judges for believing in me.”