INCedu Final Reflection

At the start of the year, my team Joel Ruderman , Grant Montanari , John Grace , and I set off on a journey to create a coaster that was flexible, portable, customizable, and absorbent, resulting in the ablecoaster. We went through three iterations of design before settling on our final prototype. Our mentor, Daniel Hanrahan , guided us through the process of creating a successful product and an overall great business. At the start and through the mid-year, we struggled to get constructive feedback to improve our product, which delayed our sales. At times, we also struggled with staying focused, given that we are all seniors, but we managed to complete everything within the given timeframe. In the end, we sold around 40 coasters within the Naperville community and plan to continue our business throughout the summer season. As an individual, I believe I learned how to effectively communicate with others so the team could prevail. As a team, I think we all learned the foundation of starting a business and what makes an entrepreneur successful. Throughout this entire year, we had some great pitches, but unfortunately, on the final pitch, it was not our night. Overall, the business incubator class at Naperville North taught me so many valuable lessons that I am fortunate to have learned at this stage in my life.