Thursday, March 11, 2010

OSU throws down, fair trade coffee-style

connecting uganda and columbus, ohio

Last Saturday I had a unique opportunity - to give a virtual opening lecture for an event. I opened up the Ohio State University SoBE Fair Trade Throwdown - via video Skype on the banks of the Nile River in Jinja. I spoke to students about my studies at Ohio State, and about taking the path less chosen and starting One Mango Tree.

Following the kick off conversation via Skype, the students - all members of OSU's Society of Business and Engineering - formed teams for the competition. The task was to role play as a Fair Trade coffee roaster and work together to develop a business model and packaging prototype to be pitched in front of a discerning panel of judges.

the winning team with their prize bags

The winners were a "team from Ethiopia," and they developed re-usable packaging covered in beautiful Ethiopian artwork. As a prize they received a One Mango Tree Weekender bag filled with all sorts of goodies.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

one mango tree was in ohio? ugh. where was i? hah i hope awareness was spread and bags were bought! :)

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