Adore Jewelry Wins Top Prize at Flyers & Buyers Event

Loyola College Prep senior, Lauren Holley, won first place in the Flyers & Buyers event on March 6. Three Flyer student finalist teams presented their business pitches to local business “Buyers'' in front of the student body. The event sponsored by Louisiana Tech College of Business, Home Federal Bank, CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System, River Cities Interventional Pain Specialists, The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, the Phillips Family, and Landreneau Law, LLC is conducted through the Loyola Law Studies Program. It teaches students how to start a business, make a marketing plan, and answer tough questions from potential investors. 

The Buyers named Holley the winner for her innovative approach to making jewelry aimed at a Catholic audience through 3D printing.

“I am really excited that all my hard work has paid off as I spent nearly a month preparing for Flyers and Buyers,” Holley said. “I'm also glad that I was able to hopefully put a spotlight on the business and showcase its strengths, as I have a lot of passion for and emotional investment in it. ”

Holley won $500 cash as well as a $1,000 scholarship to Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business. The second and third place teams also won a $500 scholarship to the College as well.

“It was an honor to serve as a judge for Loyola’s Flyers & Buyers competition once again,” said Dr. Chris Martin, Dean of Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business and a Flyers & Buyers judge. “I was impressed with not only the pitches, but with how hard the students worked to put on a very successful event. While each project was certainly worthwhile, Lauren impressed us with her market research and competitive analysis. Early exposure to entrepreneurship and innovation through programs like Flyers & Buyers will help set these students apart when they go to college. I’m glad that we have the opportunity to support their efforts through participation in the event and scholarship awards.”

The Loyola Law Studies program sponsor, Joe Landreneau, works with students during the first semester of the school year to develop their business plans and selects the top finalists. 

Holley said the experience will have a lasting impact on her for years to come. 

“Flyers & Buyers showcases what Loyola does best: push its students,” Holley said. “For me, public speaking is really hard for me. I’m not the type of person who flourishes under the spotlight, but I was able to do it because I had people who pushed me even when I didn't feel confident or ready for it. It was hard, but real growth is never easy. Now, I'll be able to look back on my time at Loyola and feel no regret.”