16-Year-Old Pitches Business Plan to President Obama

A San Leandro teen pitched a business plan on Friday to President Obama.

Last year — Juny Nguyen, a San Leandro High School student, entered a contest organized by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Nguyen had to invent a product and then create a business plan to sell it.

Nguyen was one of five high school students selected to go to the White House. He was also the only student from California.

Nguyen, now a junior, invented a tie that snaps into place behind the neck with a fastener that is sewn onto the fabric, according to an article in Silicon beat. He calls his invention Neckcessories.

“Clip-on ties (look) unsophisticated, and normal ties are normally complicated,” Nguyen said.

He was planning to give Obama a silver-grey tie with cherry blossoms, but an aide said he wasn’t allowed to present the president with gifts.

According to Nguyen, Obama saw the tie and asked if it was for him.

He told the president he couldn’t give him the tie — Obama responded, “I’m taking it anyway” and took the tie.

Nguyen has sold 60 ties already. They are priced at $15 each. If interested in ordering a tie, please email nguyen.juny@gmail.com.