A Legacy Creates An iPod Business
05.07.07 - 01:31pm
Alexis Khazzam, president of Junction Ventures wants to create a legacy, not by making the most money in business, but by helping others to create a business for themselves and to help a town called Peoria grow and be better.
To start this legacy Khazzam donated $200,000 to the Bradley University to start a competition amongst young entrepreneurs to create and build a business plan.
The winners were then given $10,000 and a year’s worth of “knowledge capital” from several local companies. The “knowledge capital” includes Junction Ventures providing office space and investing in the company; converse Marketing, who gives legal services; Coyle Insurance Agency who gives insurance, and Saturn of Peoria, who donates a car for a year. Basically everything these winners need to get their business going and time to make it stand on its own.
The competition was won by the iPod Repair Squad: James Scaggs, Patrick Whitt, Lynn Wiewell, Jamie Buggs and Brad Watson. Their business is to fix iPods quickly and with personalized support.
“We’re overwhelmed,” said Scaggs. “I mean, we were confident, but you never know what will happen. So we’re very surprised and humbled.”
Khazzam said, “It’s very meaningful for me because I had high hopes for this. We need more young businesses in Peoria. It will be the youth who will drive the job opportunities in Peoria.”
It’s a good start to a legacy that involves lifting people up and giving them the opportunity to succeed in a world where most people are trying to squash any competition. Go Khazzam and Peoria.
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