CANTON -- SUNY Canton students in the School of Business and Liberal Arts were recently challenged to develop innovative ideas to help a local business increase foot traffic and sales.

Eleven competitors presented their proposals to Hailey Hodge, the owner of Luna Boutique in Canton.

"Luna not only served as the focal point of the competition, but Hailey is a great role model to the students," said Charles R. Fenner, Ph.D., a faculty member who teaches in the Management program. "She encouraged them to start their own businesses even though they are in their early 20s."

Seniors Illisa B. Barney, a Management major, and Alex L. Davison, a Finance major, earned the first-place prize. During the awards ceremony, Hodge praised the students' winning ideas, which included a plan to expand Luna's intern program and establish relationships with clubs and organizations at each of the local colleges.

Hodge also shared the story of her journey to becoming a young business owner. Her dream to be an entrepreneur began while attending Drexel University. Hodge said that although her professors were dismissive of the idea, she was determined to open her own store. The perks of being her own boss, she said, "Beats working for someone else any day."

Fenner noted that competitions such as this one serve as a practical application of marketing theory and meet SUNY's goal of ensuring every student has access to an applied learning opportunity.