Skip to Main Content

Quaker Tank Returns as WC’s Version of TV’s ‘Shark Tank’

Business Administration
WC Comm Arts Class Shot Actual Program Video Weeks Ago for Tonight's (May 3) Virtual In-Person Presentation $5,000 in prize money is available to award to emerging entrepreneurs as Wilmington College presents Quaker Tank, its version of TV's popular Shark Tank Monday evening (May 3) for a campus audience. While the actual contest was filmed in mid-April, the final product will be presented on the large screen beginning at 8:30 p.m. Initially planned for Collett Mall, the day's inclement weather has forced the event indoors to Boyd Cultural Arts Center 119. The winners' identity has been kept under wraps in anticipation of the announcement at the conclusion of the program video. PICTURED: (ABOVE) Sophomore Grant Mihalick pitches One Percent Basketball, his business featuring sports training for youth. (BELOW) The "sharks" feature a trio of judges, from the left, Kerry Steed, owner of Generations Pizza and a member of the Clinton County Board of Commissioners; Stephanie Butler: director of marketing and communications at Clinton Memorial Hospital; and Kym Parks: Director of Marketing for Air Transport Services Group (ATSG). Also, two communication arts students, sophomore Tiara Harris and senior Layne Frederick, chat with one of the judges, Kerry Steed, during a break while filming Quaker Tank. Following Monday evening's premier of the show, Quaker Tank will be available for viewing via YouTube via a link found on the Business Administration webpage (<www.wilmington.edu/programs/business-administration/>). JudgesQuaker Tank, presented by LCNB National Bank, is similar to the hit ABC-TV show but with a twist. Instead of promoting a product or invention, WC's contestants — all students at the College — are pitching their overall business concepts. Each will have roughly three minutes to present their idea before a panel of three "sharks." Sharks are business leaders from the Wilmington community that have had a chance to review the contestants’ business plans and two-year financials prior to the event. They support entrepreneurship activities in the community and are partners with the College. After each contestant makes their opening pitch, a Q&A session will ensue between the sharks and the contestant. Each shark has been awarded $1,500 to spend on the contestants as they so choose — $4,500 will be given by the panel of sharks. Additionally, the Quaker Tank production team has $500 to give to their favorite contestant. Judging is based on of three main criteria: (1) Creativity – Does the contestant display a professional level of creative thought? (2) Finances – Does the contestant show complete awareness of the financial realities of an entrepreneurial venture? and (3) Feasibility – Is their project market ready? Contestants will be making a pitch on why the prize money could best help their company either develop, launch or grow. The finalists are: Grant Mihalick: One Percent Basketball (training program for youth); Bryan Miller: BMiller Show Pigs (pig breeder); Ajia Gannaway: Honey Lequeur (natural beauty supplies); and Logan Hays: Sports Quake (sports media company), The judges are Stephanie Butler: director of marketing and communications at Clinton Memorial Hospital; Kym Parks: director of marketing for Air Transport Services Group; and Kerry Steed: owner of Generations Pizza. filming Quaker TankThis year's sponsors, who supported the program with a total of $5,000, are: Presenting Sponsor — LCNB National Bank, Gold Level Sponsors — First Financial Bank and Alpha & Omega Building Services, Silver Level Sponsor — Merchants National Bank and Bronze Level Sponsor — PNC Bank. The Quaker Tank Team features: Peyton M. Mullins: executive producer; Tim Burgoyne, assistant professor of management, faculty adviser for talent; Jeff Hazelden, assistant professor of communication arts and faculty adviser for video production; Tom Brady, director of development for Ohio and Quaker Tank marketing and fundraising; Chip Murdock, director of the Office of Diversity + Inclusion, who serves as master of ceremony; and Steve Cukovecki, senior admission counselor and Business Club adviser.