Bison Squeak Tank Junior Zeb Fox’s squeak wins first place in the Bison Shark Tank, winning $10,000. Junior Zeb Fox saw the ubiquitous squeaky dorm beds as a problem that needed to be solved. With his background in mechanical engineering, Fox took to his 3D printer and created a solution: a dampener for the hooks of dorm beds, which eliminated the squeaking sounds. He called it the “Squeak Stopper” and soon began selling it. Students appreciated his invention, so he sought out other avenues to promote his product. “Whenever I started selling the Squeak Stoppers, someone told me to go to the Waldron Center [because] that is the place for entrepreneurship,” Fox said. “When I got there, the people in the office saw me give my quick pitch and told me to participate in the Shark Tank competition.” Fox then began preparing for the Harding Shark Tank competition, where students pitched their products before a panel of judges for a possibility of winning the grand prize of $10,000. He worked closely with the leadership of the Waldron Center, such as Harding’s visiting entrepreneur J.C. Hite, who helped Fox perfect his pitch and bring his ideas to life. “We gave several suggestions, and he immediately went with it,” Hite said. “Many students focus more on the idea phase. He didn’t do that. He actually went and did it.” Through careful preparation, help from friends and his trusted 3D printer, Fox fine-tuned his invention and sales pitch. It consisted of a six-minute presentation, a product demonstration and a time for questions from the judges. His presentation and hard work earned Fox not only the Bison Shark Tank cash prize of $10,000, but also the People’s Choice Award cash prize of $1,000. The doublewin took him by surprise. “I actually won first place, and then they announced the other awards, and I was like, ‘No way I am gonna get both,’” Fox said. “It was crazy. I didn’t know what to think; it was just crazy. It doesn’t really feel real.” Fox’s friends were convinced that he would win and take home the grand prize. Sophomore Carly Phelps, who also helped him with his pitch, was confident in his product and presentation. “I was surprised when he entered the contest just because I didn’t know he was looking to do anything big with the product,” Phelps said. “But I was confident that he would do well. Zeb is ambitious, hard-working, confident and thorough.” Hite also spoke highly of Fox’s presentation. “In competitions, you never know; it is a matter of execution,” Hite said. “In presenting, Zeb was outgoing and passionate about this project, which is needed when launching a business.” The Bison Shark Tank took Fox from being someone with a simple solution to the winner of a total of $11,000. Through his ambition and dedication, he took the judges by storm and opened the door to creativity and innovation. Written by Abby Davidson 156 People CHECK THIS! After the Bison Shark Tank competition, the winners pose with their prizes. The grand prize was $10,000. Photo courtesy of Zeb Fox
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