KAYSVILLE—High school kids at the Davis Catalyst Center are giving Shark Tank some competition. These young entrepreneurs are creating businesses on their own and some are already generating revenue. Last week, students pitched their ideas at Invest Nest, a competition to select the top business. The winner received $10,000 and will go on to the state level April 29 where they’ll compete with other students from around the state for the $20,000 grand prize.

“This is the second one we’ve participated in,” said Brent McKnight, the instructor of the Business and Marketing capstone class at Catalyst. “Someone from Invest Nest comes and meets with the students and works with them. There are three rounds in the competition. In round three the first, second and third place winners are announced.”

This year’s winner was Carter Williamson, a senior at Viewmont High School, said McKnight. “His business is called Clan. It’s an in-home delivery system for water softener salt. He buys it and delivers it and puts it in the soft water tank. He’ll carry it downstairs or wherever the softener is and load it up with salt.”

It’s already generating revenue, he said. “He markets it on social media, he goes door-to-door marketing it in neighborhoods. He’s gotten in touch with plumbers that when they install a softener they’ll leave a card with the student’s name on it.”

Farmington High School junior Calia Miller took second place and won $5,000, said McKnight. “Her business is called Urbanity. She does bracelets and soon will have necklaces that are scented with aroma therapy and essential oils that you wear around your neck and smell. She said it benefits mental health.”

Kaleb Mcentire a Davis High School junior, placed third and received $2,500 to put toward his business, McKnight said. “His prototype is a less expensive high end microphone. It’s called Eclectic Audio. He hasn’t generated revenue yet but has active POs.”

The semester class is non-traditional. “Opposed to me standing up and lecturing in class, the students are involved with actual projects,” he said. “They work with industry partners who bring in a project and the student has to meet with the business and provide feedback every two weeks. We work with organizations such as Lagoon, J. Dowgs, Howie’s Root Beer and others. They do social media, marketing and the video class helps them produce a commercial.”

These are really sharp kids coming up, said McKnight. “I have the pleasure as a teacher to be around good kids all day.”