INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The 3Denim student business team from Sierra Nevada College stepped up to the stage to deliver its elevator pitch one more time — and earn the top prize —at the eighth annual Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Competition Awards Dinner on May 27 night at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

Of the experience of competing and winning for SNC Tahoe, Team Captain Kelly Benson says, “It feels unbelievably amazing, considering the high level of talent we were up against. And I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring a first place win to Sierra Nevada College for the first time in its history.”

In 2013, the school’s Pure Ski Experience Team represented SNC Tahoe and won Second Place at Tri-State; In 2014, SNC Tahoe team Solar Powered Innovations was a finalist.

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The Tri-State Competition brings the top two winners in the undergraduate and graduate categories from statewide competitions in Nevada, Oklahoma and Arkansas to make oral presentations to panels of judges who evaluate the thoroughness, strategy, viability, and other elements of their business plan.

“We are so proud of what this team has accomplished. It was incredible to see 3Denim incorporate advice from their mentors, take the judges’ feedback, apply it, and continuously make their business plan better.”Kendra WongSNC Tahoe Business Department Chair

The teams also present written business plans, and make 90-second elevator pitches to the Awards Ceremony audiences.

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Kendra Wong, SNC Tahoe Business Department Chair, has been involved in the Business Plan process at SNC Tahoe for five years.

“We are so proud of what this team has accomplished,” she said. “It was incredible to see 3Denim incorporate advice from their mentors, take the judges’ feedback, apply it, and continuously make their business plan better.”

To date, 3Denim members have won $59,000 in cash for their work.

The team’s business plan outlines a strategy to produce custom-fitted jeans, shipped right to the customer’s door, based on a complimentary full body scan completed in boutique shops.

The 3Denim team consists of team captain and Global Business Management major Kelly Benson, Evan Cook (Art) and Brendan Wheelwright (Ski Business & Resort Management and Accounting).

All three graduated this May.

This article was submitted by Sierra Nevada College. Visit sierranevada.edu to learn more.