When Morgan Kachmar enrolled at Perkiomen for her junior year, she knew for certain that she wanted to obtain Distinction in one of the Institutes upon graduation. She decided on the Entrepreneur Institute, believing that a business mindset would be helpful in any future career path. 

To fulfill her capstone, Kachmar wanted to fill a need that would be useful in gymnastics, a sport she has practiced since the age of seven. Coated with suede, balance beams become slippery when sweat is transferred by users, a safety concern for gymnasts. 

Thinking of her own experiences as a Level 10 gymnast, Kachmar understands the concern. 

“It can be scary practicing new skills, especially when the equipment may be unsafe from moisture,” says Kachmar. “Even if a gymnast executes a skill to the best of their abilities, there’s always a chance that a slippery surface may cause falls, resulting in scoring penalties or injury.”

 

 

She asked herself if a new material covering the beam could resolve this concern and began her research to explore materials. Using networking and communication skills that she learned through her Entrepreneur Institute classes, Kachmar presented her idea to the father of one of her teammates whose textile company produced the cover. Once she obtained her first prototype, she successfully pitched the concept to her coaches and teammates who gladly tested the product. After seven iterations, she developed the final prototype composed of bamboo and other fibers.

With a bright future ahead of her, Kachmar is excited to take the lessons she learned within the Entrepreneur Institute beyond Perkiomen as a student at the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. She is also eager to build her network among her peers on the gymnastics team who will share her product with their home gyms. In spreading word of her balance beam cover, she will not only grow her business but also give gymnasts like her the confidence to safely learn new skills and become fearless at practice and on the competition floor.

“My experience within the Entrepreneur Institute was unlike anything I could have ever found at another school,” says Kachmar. “My classes challenged me to think in terms of real-world application, and I know I am prepared for college and my career.”  

 

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The Institutes at Perkiomen School

 

My experience within the Entrepreneur Institute was unlike anything I could have ever found at another school. My classes challenged me to think in terms of real-world application, and I know I am prepared for college and my career.  -- Morgan Kachmar '22