For the second year in a row, an Eckerd College student has been awarded a Top 20 slot in the University of South Florida Frank and Ellen Daveler Entrepreneurship Program.
Johanna Andersson ’19, a business management student from Malmö, Sweden, received the honor in an April 14 ceremony and presentation competition. Andersson started a company called POW (Pre, Post Power Workout) that is developing two products: a post-workout facial mist that removes bacteria while cooling the skin and a disposable palm cover inspired by kinesio tape to be used during lifting.
As a Daveler Scholar, Andersson was awarded $2,500 and invited to pitch her company to a panel of experts and executives to win an additional $2,500 and the title of Daveler Fellow. The competition was open to all 800,000 college students in the state of Florida.
Jonna Andersson ’19 receives the award
Andersson’s passion for business naturally married with her love of sport while brainstorming her entry. She had come to Eckerd to play defender on the Women’s Soccer team. “I wanted to test my abilities out of my comfort zone, and I thought Florida was the perfect fit to do so,” she explained. “I was also amazed by Eckerd’s wonderful environment and I liked the size of the College.”
Director of Sustainability and Instructor Evan Bollier ’11 encouraged his students to apply to the Daveler competition in his course Creating an Entrepreneurial Mindset.
“I decided to apply because I saw it as a great opportunity to get one step closer toward my goals. I am very passionate about my business idea, and I would love to take it to the next level. The award will definitely be a good asset that enables me to bring my ideas into action,” Andersson said.
After graduation, Andersson hopes to keep POW going, even as she enters the workforce to generate more capital. “I have a vision of owning my own business one day,” she said, “but I also would like to work as a marketing manager for an events/sports firm.”
