BYU Student Company Named No. 1 at Utah Student 25

PROVO, Utah – Apr 05, 2013 – Underwater Audio, created by Brigham Young University student Scott Walker, was recently named the No. 1 student-run business by Utah Student 25 — an organization that recognizes student entrepreneurs.

In addition to Underwater Audio, which sells waterproofed iPod shuffles and headphones, 14 other BYU businesses were honored out of 25 teams from colleges and universities across the state.

“It was nice to receive recognition for all the hard work,” says Walker, a marketing senior from Corvallis, Ore. “Winning this competition has opened all kinds of doors for me.”  

The recognition provided Walker with the clout needed to connect with several business entities that will help take his company to the next level. Winners were acknowledged at a black-tie optional event held on the University of Utah campus.

The top 25 were chosen based on business revenue and profit. Additionally, applicants were required to be in a management position, be full-time students, have their company’s financial accounts up-to-date and own a significant percentage of the company.

“These students are inspiring and deserve this recognition,” says John Richards, event founder and assistant director of the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. “Starting out in business takes many sacrifices. The gala was an opportunity for us to pay tribute to these innovative students.”

With the No. 2 market share in the industry in 2012 Walker agrees that being a successful businessman takes sacrifice, but with dedication, he says students can make it work.

“I spend every spare moment working on Underwater Audio,” Walker says. “But I feel like I have a balanced life. It’s busy, but I enjoy it.”

Other winning BYU student companies include:

• No. 2 — Arrowstorm Entertainment
• No. 3 — The Car Depot LLC
• No. 6 — Cart Ninja
• No. 8 — The Awful Waffle
• No 11 — Splash Marketing
• No. 12 — H.M. Cole LLC
• No. 14 — PrizedPearls
• No. 16 — ME Crepes LLC
• No. 17 — Nice Guys Lending Services Inc.
• No. 21 — Fine Grain
• No. 22 — Lighthouse Management
• No. 23 — Solase Massage
• No. 24 — AppVantage
• No. 25 — Mission Essential

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.