Two industrious students from Rhodes College have clinched spots as finalists in the fiercely competitive E-Fest® entrepreneurship challenge. According to an announcement on Rhodes College's news portal, Sandy Mansour and Kai Virani will head to the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas from April 24-27 to present their innovative venture, Helwa Fragrance.
In their quest to secure their footing in the world of business innovators, the Rhodes juniors have poured heart and intellect into a luxury fragrance brand that's as convenient as it is stylish. Founded by psychology major Mansour Helwa, which translates to "pretty" in Arabic, offers a dazzling yet understated bracelet that boasts a refillable compartment for rub-on perfume. Playing a pivotal role, economics major Virani has been integral to honing the brand's market approach, Mansour told Rhodes News.
The Helwa team's journey to the elite ranks of E-Fest® finalists was fueled by adept guidance from a network of mentors and collaborators. Rhodes' Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Eric Mathews, for instance, bridged connections to beneficial resources like the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program, while Jessica Cowan from Cowan Consulting lent her expertise on pitch finesse and strategy. Dang Nguyen, a senior at Rhodes majoring in physics, used resin printing and CAD tools from the Engineering for All Club to refine the product’s design.
As they prepare to take the stage at E-Fest®, the entrepreneurial duo nurtures aspirations beyond the glare of competition lights. “This opportunity reflects the innovative spirit at Rhodes and how collaboration—from business to engineering—can create real-world impact,” confessed Mansour in a candid reflection shared with Rhodes College's official news platform. They carry the hopes of influencing their peers at Rhodes College, stoking the fires of entrepreneurship within them, as they move forward with Helwa Fragrance.
