West Bloomfield High Student Entrepreneurs Win International Honors

A growing business helped two West Bloomfield High seniors win top honors last month at the 67th annual International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA.

Andrew Jacob and Andre Najmolhoda, founders of OverTheFly LLC, were among 27 students from the school's DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) chapter who competed in a variety of events April 24-27. They won first place in "Entrepreneurship: Growing Your Business"; seniors Ryan Meyers and Albert Yerman won top 10 honors in "Retail Merchandising" and sophomore Jarrell Ku won Top 10 Honors in "Quick Serve Restaurant Marketing". 

Andrew and Andre were required to submit a 30-page paper that was basically a business plan, something they knew they needed to do, Andrew said. OverTheFly LLC produces the Astro Belt, which is adjustable up to a 44-inch waist, waterproof and allows the user to mix and match colorful belts and buckles. 

OverTheFly also partners with charities, giving them a share of proceeds from the sale of limited edition styles. 

After taking first place in state competition, the students practiced their presentation over and over, giving up lunches and working project time into their study and activities schedules. The hard work paid off with more than just a first place finish.

The partners have gotten emails from people interested in both the business and product, their Twitter following has grown and on-line orders jumped. "It really helped our business," Andrew said. 

DECA advisor Jerry Whitlock said the entrepreneurship category was new to the international event this year. "As soon as I saw it, I knew it was right for Andrew and Andre," he said. "At the start of the school year, I approached them, and they started working on it." 

About 120 students competed in district competition and 60 at the state level, spread out across 30 or 40 events that involve role playing business scenarios and skills tests. 

"It's very hands-on, so the students get interested in it," Whitlock said. "When you get kids interested, they end up doing more of the work, and you end up being a coach instead of a teacher. It really adapts to their different levels, so the kids who go and don't qualify get as much out of it as those who do." 

When will students start preparing for next year's competition? 

"Right now," Whitlock said.

Learn more about OvertheFly LLC, Astro Belts and where you can buy them in Detroit and Florida, at overthefly.com.

Read more: 5 Questions: OverTheFly's Andre Najmolhoda and Andrew Jacob