Oct 21, 2020

UNI student wins Global Entrepreneur of the Year award

As an inspiring entrepreneur, University of Northern Iowa senior Robert Sales took full advantage of the services offered by the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center as he built up his business selling mini-donuts during Panthers’ sports events.

Sales has since become a fixture at the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center, and the success of his concession stand, Rob’s Mini Doughnuts, earned him the regional Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA), which includes competitors from all over the Midwest.

"I wouldn’t be here without the key mentors I have at UNI’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and other students and entrepreneurs who engaged in conversations that challenged my thinking,” said Sales. “My success was not overnight, there are stories to tell about that, it was gradual and perseverance paid off. This is only the beginning of what is to come."

As part of the award, Sales will receive a package of business tools worth $23,500, including a $3,500 cash prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to the national competition and thousands of dollars worth of time with consultants, accountants and other business trainers.

The GSEA is a global competition for students who own and operate a business while attending college. Nominees compete against their peers from around the world in a series of local and national competitions in hopes to qualify for GSEA Finals. From here, Sales will now compete in a national competition.