High Schoolers Pitch Wedding App at Stockton Business Camp

A team of five high school students took home top honors at Stockton University's entrepreneurship camp this month with their pitch for a wedding planning app that promises to streamline one of life's most stressful events.

The winning concept, called Vowly, emerged from a week of intensive business training that brought 22 teenagers to Stockton's Atlantic City campus from July 12 to 18. Team members Arav Bajoria, Sage Bundy, Marley Gaynor, Annika Jeena, and Justin Wong developed the all-in-one personalized platform and presented their business plan to a panel of judges at week's end.

The residential program, known as the Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy, divided participants into competing teams charged with creating viable business ventures from scratch. Faculty members from Stockton guided the groups through seminars covering marketing strategies, branding fundamentals, property law considerations, and the role of artificial intelligence in modern business.

The camp's hands-on approach extended beyond classroom walls. Students visited local small businesses throughout the week, including several operated by Stockton graduates who shared their entrepreneurial journeys. These field trips gave participants a real-world perspective on the challenges and rewards of business ownership in our region.

This year's academy introduced a new networking workshop designed to teach students how to build professional relationships—a critical skill for any aspiring entrepreneur. Following the session, campers heard from a panel of young business owners who either currently attend Stockton or recently graduated. The day concluded with a networking dinner where students practiced their newly acquired skills.

The timing couldn't be more relevant for New Jersey's economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that more than 1.1 million small businesses operate in our state, employing nearly half of all private-sector workers. With thousands of new ventures launching annually across New Jersey, understanding entrepreneurship has become increasingly valuable for young people entering the workforce.

Stockton assistant professor of Business Studies, Management Christy Goodnight worked with the Vowly team as they refined their concept throughout the week, helping them brainstorm features and develop their pitch strategy.

The winning team members hail from communities across the state: Bajoria from Dayton, Bundy from Little Egg Harbor Township, Gaynor from Piscataway Township, Jeena from Edison, and Wong from Summit.

For students inspired by the camp experience, Stockton offers pathways to continue their entrepreneurial education. The university provides a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship as well as an Entrepreneurship Certificate available to students in any major. Those interested can contact Program Chair Monica Amadio or call the School of Business at 609-652-4534.