The Catholic University of America’s Busch School of Business students participated in the Entrepreneurship 118 Trade Show on Dec. 3, featuring 160 student-designed projects.
Hosted by the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship, the event highlighted projects created as part of The Vocation of Business class, which integrates ethical business principles with strategic planning and creativity.
“The Vocation of Business class is not just about innovation; it’s about forming ethical leaders who will contribute to the common good,” said Anthony Cannizzaro, associate dean of faculty and academic affairs.
Students presented their business ideas to a panel of deans and instructors, who evaluated their pitches and progress. Two projects received the St. Joseph the Worker Award for exceptional entrepreneurial talent.
Rebecca Teti, an instructor and executive director of the Ciocca Center, praised the students’ ingenuity: “We teach students that each of them is unrepeatable, and their work is a participation in the creative work of God the Father. You can see that in the creativity, variety, and entrepreneurial spirit embodied in the businesses on display here today.”
Jayla Smith, who created a stationery company called Designed to Inspire, reflected on the experience: “I was happy to know my hard work served to add some beauty and delight in the world. It really brought home the idea of the class that business can be a calling, where you give of yourself to meet a need or solve a problem.”
