Inventive Mercy Home Youth Wins Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

June 25, 2025

Mercy Home resident Josh recently took home first place in the annual Midwest Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge event organized by the nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE).

Josh who presented on his business idea titled “Easy Fit,” hopes to provide accessible dress shirts with magnetic closures for people with upper body mobility challenges. 

“I want to help younger individuals who need accessible, adaptive clothing,” he said. 

The young entrepreneurs presented in a Shark-Tank style competition in which they distinguished themselves through innovative business ideas. Josh will present at the national finals in New York City on October 8 to compete for the National Champion title and cash prizes. 

Competitors pitched their original business concepts to a panel of esteemed judges, including Jennifer L. Husbands, PhD, Founder of Steward Education Advisors; Fatima Iqbal, Discovery Specialist at Traub & Associates and CEO of Naz Exotic Auto; Sholape Kolawole, EY–Parthenon Chicago Office Leader; Marcus A. Payne, Vice President, Operations at Ingredion; and Aaron Trinidad, NFTE alumnus and Account Management at Ogilvy.

“We are immensely proud of the outstanding youth who have participated in competitions across the Midwest,” said Dr. Scott Nasatir, NFTE Midwest Executive Director. “These remarkable young entrepreneurs are not only generating innovative solutions to complex societal challenges, but they are also deeply committed to enhancing their local communities. Their dedication, along with the steadfast support of their educators and families, is truly commendable.” 

Josh has arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition that is characterized by limited joint motion and under-development of muscle tissue and requires him to use a wheelchair for long distances. His business idea would help people like himself, who struggle with daily tasks that might come easier to others. 

“Twenty-five million people with upper body mobility challenges struggle to find stylish, high-quality clothing, and often spend too much time searching for suitable options,” Josh’s presentation said. “We create accessible dress shirts with magnetic closures, providing a fashionable and functional solution for younger individuals, including those in the AMC (Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita) community.”

Josh’s victory also came with a monetary prize. He received $1,500 as the first-place winner. 

We are so proud of all of Josh’s hard work!