Hamilton High School senior Kate Dwyer is one of three winners in the statewide Kwik Trip Innovation Competition organized by Wisconsin Business World. This statewide business-focused contest tasks students in grades 6th through 12th with creating and presenting a marketing plan for a new product to be sold in Kwik Trip stores.
Dwyer’s contest submission was for “Kwik Sip Custom Sodas,” a modern take on Kwik Trip’s current self-serve Fresh Blends smoothie machines. Her idea combines the concept and base design of the smoothie machines with the growing market of customizable dirty sodas. The idea provides quick service and easy, customizable sodas to consumers at an affordable price point. Dwyer says her product is geared towards teenagers and young millennials, who have been identified as high consumers of fun drinks such as flavored lemonades and dirty sodas.
Dwyer says she was proud of her Kwik Sip idea, but still surprised to learn she had won. “I wasn’t sure it had the potential to win a statewide competition,” shares Kate Dwyer. “Knowing that others can see the value in my ideas and appreciate my efforts is very motivational, pushing me to continue to share my ideas.”
The Kwik Trip Innovation Competition challenges students to develop original ideas that reflect real-world business problem solving, customer focus and operational excellence. Students created innovative product concepts and developed presentations outlining their marketing strategy, target audience and how their ideas could increase consumer engagement and sales. Each contest winner receives a $500 cash prize.
“I am proud of Kate and the dedication she demonstrated throughout this project,” shares Hamilton High School Business Education Teacher Chris Oechsner. “Competing at the statewide level for an iconic Wisconsin brand like Kwik Trip is a tremendous accomplishment and Kate should be very proud of her work.”
“I would like to note the diversity of the opportunities that this competition provides,” adds Dwyer. “Kwik Sip wasn’t a new invention, but rather it combined two preexisting concepts to create a new value. Think outside the box!”
“Projects like the Kwik Trip Innovation Contest provide valuable learning opportunities by turning our classroom into a hands-on learning environment,” Oechsner adds. “They give students the opportunity to take what they’ve learned in class and apply their skills and creatively to real-world business challenges.”
Wisconsin Business World, a program of WMC Foundation, educates students on business, entrepreneurism and the free market through its statewide competitions, Summer Camps, one-day programs, online curriculum and classroom presentations. The Business World message is simple: Business is a Force for Good.