Downey student writes winning business plan

LOS ANGELES - Downey High School student Kalief Rollins won top prize in a recent business plan competition sponsored by Merrill Lynch.Rollins, 17, won first place after drafting a business plan for his business, Phree Kountry Clothing. The award came with a $1,500 cash prize. Along with second place winner Jacqueline Garcia, Rollins will represent Southern California in the NFTE National Business Plan Competition in New York this fall. "At Merrill Lynch, we want to inspire young people by giving them the opportunity to learn how to apply their academic skills to real world business and financial challenges," said Chandler Root, regional managing director for Merrill Lynch's Los Angeles/Mountain Region. "Through NFTE, young people learn business management and finances, while developing other essential skills such as critical analysis and public speaking." Rollins was one of 1,000 Los Angeles-area students who participated in the competition. More than 20,000 students nationally participated.

********** Published: June 12, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 8