Local Students To Take Part In “Shark Tank” Inspired Event

Riverhead High School students will have the chance to pitch an innovative business idea to Riverhead Chamber of Commerce “Sharks” during the inaugural Chamber Tank. Inspired by Shark Tank, like on the ABC hit teams or individuals will vie for funding, which can be utilized to help make their idea become a reality or to further their education.

“The students, myself and the school community are extremely grateful that we are getting this wonderful opportunity to work so intimately with the Riverhead Chamber Of Commerce,” expressed business teacher Diana LaSpina.

To get the students presentation ready, seven business veterans will offer up their expertise. Competitors will meet with a different coach weekly over the course of seven weeks. The students will learn about marketing, budgeting, crisis management, brand recognition, startups, government affairs, MBWE utilization, and more.

“We are so excited to be having weekly coaching sessions with local business leaders,” LaSpina noted. “This is an excellent partnership and we are looking forward to building a great relationship with the Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for everything that you are doing for our students.”

Coaches include Dean Del Prete, President The Adventure Group, LLC; Glenn O. Vickers II, Owner MRV Group, LLC; Tommy McFeely, Owner Hot Yoga Carle Place & Merrick Hot Yoga; Frederick Wilkinson, Owner Eco Clean Pressure Washing & Spray Foam Insolutions; Diont’e Brown, Owner/Creator She’s Pretty Rare; Joanna Messina, Public Relations & Marketing Manager Hampton Coffee; and Bob Kern, Owner 2XS, LLC & President Riverhead Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a natural extension to the mentor program that we, along with an incredibly supportive high school staff, had brought to school,” Chamber President Bob Kern noted.

M&T Bank; Riverhead Building Supply; East End Divorce Planning; KL Wealth Strategies, LLC and the Residence Inn LI East End are sponsoring the first-ever Chamber Tank. “We owe a huge thank you to our generous sponsors. It couldn’t happen without the support of these businesses that continuously step up to give back to this community,” stated Chamber Executive Director Liz O’Shaughnessy. “We are getting such a terrific response from the students that sponsorship opportunities are still available to sweeten the scholarship awards!”

“Chamber Tank is such a timely idea, never too early to start the next generation of entrepreneurial thinking. I am very proud to support this program,” said double sponsor Kelli Lanino of KL Wealth Strategies, LLC and East End Divorce Planning.

Chamber Tank will be live streamed on Tuesday, April 27, with an awards ceremony to follow in the late spring at the Residence Inn Long Island East End.