Seth Flowerman Finishes Third in GSEA Competition
By Zachry Brown JGSM '10
Zachry Brown
Issue date: 12/12/08 Section: Features
When it comes to student entrepreneurs, I respect no one more than Seth Flowerman. Twenty-two years old, Seth has founded two companies (Career Explorations and Vertex Academic Services) and will graduate Cornell with three degrees in five years. I first met Seth last fall when he and I were paired for Big Red Incubator (BRI). No doubt, I learned more from working with him than from anything inherently attributable to BRI. Recently, I sat down with Seth over sushi to learn more about his latest triumph.
Last month, Seth entered his company, Career Explorations, in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) competition-the preeminent competition for students who own and operate their own business. Founded six years ago with only $25,000, Career Explorations develops and coordinates summer internships for high school and undergraduate students in New York and Boston. The internships encourage students to discover their passion and create experiences that will impress colleges and employers.
The GSEA competition is sponsored annually by the Entrepreneurs' Organization, whose assembly of members promotes entrepreneurism around the world. Seth's decision to compete this year, rather than in years past, reflected his desire to develop a better understanding of his business's mission and a cogent awareness of his personal goals. He assiduously researched the evaluation criteria in order to present most effectively his business to the judges. The preparation paid off: out of over 1,000 nominees, Seth placed third overall and received the Social Impact Award.
Winners were announced at a celebrity gala held at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Following, Ernst & Young flew Seth and the first- and second-place winners to Palm Springs to meet some of the 1,500 candidates nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year. The celebrations then moved to Los Angeles, where the GSEA winners received a private tour of Sony Picture Studios, hosted by the Kauffman Foundation. For the final event, Seth joined Russell Simmons at the New York Stock Exchange to launch Simmons' "Race to BE" entrepreneurship competition.
Last month, Seth entered his company, Career Explorations, in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) competition-the preeminent competition for students who own and operate their own business. Founded six years ago with only $25,000, Career Explorations develops and coordinates summer internships for high school and undergraduate students in New York and Boston. The internships encourage students to discover their passion and create experiences that will impress colleges and employers.
The GSEA competition is sponsored annually by the Entrepreneurs' Organization, whose assembly of members promotes entrepreneurism around the world. Seth's decision to compete this year, rather than in years past, reflected his desire to develop a better understanding of his business's mission and a cogent awareness of his personal goals. He assiduously researched the evaluation criteria in order to present most effectively his business to the judges. The preparation paid off: out of over 1,000 nominees, Seth placed third overall and received the Social Impact Award.
Winners were announced at a celebrity gala held at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Following, Ernst & Young flew Seth and the first- and second-place winners to Palm Springs to meet some of the 1,500 candidates nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year. The celebrations then moved to Los Angeles, where the GSEA winners received a private tour of Sony Picture Studios, hosted by the Kauffman Foundation. For the final event, Seth joined Russell Simmons at the New York Stock Exchange to launch Simmons' "Race to BE" entrepreneurship competition.
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