A Shepherd University business major is a finalist in the West Virginia Collegiate Business Plan Competition sponsored by Brickstreet. Ashley Brown, Smithsburg, Maryland, will compete April 20 in Morgantown against students from other two- and four-year institutions from across the state for a $10,000 prize and accounting, legal, and marketing assistance.
Brown, owner of Ashley Elizabeth Photography, LLC, has been making the final touches on her business plan, financial statements, and a presentation that she’ll give to a panel of judges.
“This is a great opportunity for me to not only grow in the business world but also grow my own photography business and meet a lot of great, young entrepreneurs along the way,” Brown said. “The professors at Shepherd have really supported me throughout the process. I’ve had a lot of help preparing for this competition. The classes I’ve taken have given me the education and background I needed to make a successful business plan, so I feel very prepared.”
Brown specializes in family and high school senior portraits, as well as weddings.
“I want to provide affordable, quality photography for the Eastern Panhandle,” she said. “My goal is to make clients experience more than just a photo shoot, but to make it fun and memorable so that I can capture images that represent them in a genuine way. I love making people smile, and I want to provide a product for families and couples to be able to pass on to their children and grandchildren as an heirloom.”
Brown, who will graduate in May, has taken photos throughout college and has built up a small clientele.
“I can’t wait to grow my business and expand further in the area,” Brown said. “Entering the business competition has given me the opportunity to make my dream a reality much sooner than I expected.”
