COB 300 is JMU’s integrated core course where business students take finance, management, marketing, and operations at the same time and work as a single cross‑functional team to build a complete business plan from scratch.
In this course, my team created Spike Slips, LLC, a company focused on solving a major inconvenience for track and field athletes who constantly move between the track and other surfaces during meets. We designed a durable, slip‑on protective cover for spiked shoes that prevents spike damage, saves time, and helps athletes stay focused without switching footwear.
Our business plan covered everything from product design and target markets to operations and financial strategy, forming a fully developed venture built through the COB 300 experience.
RAINEY-SHEPARD-KUSHEL BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION
The Rainey‑Shepard‑Kushel Business Plan Competition is a flagship event within JMU’s College of Business, bringing together the strongest ventures developed in the COB 300 integrated core course. After spending the semester building a full business plan 5 teams out of 100, are selected to present their ideas to a panel of judges made up of business leaders, alumni, and mentors.
My team competed on March 28, 2025, presenting our Spike Slips idea and earning 2nd place overall, the Joyce Guthrie Team Award, and I personally won one of the Braun Jones MVP Awards for individual contribution and leadership. These recognitions highlighted both the strength of our business plan and the collaborative work that went into developing it.
