B.E.S.T Semester Projects

One of "Hankamer's Hallmarks," the B.E.S.T. program selects elite students from Baylor's business school hoping to enhance their professional skills through a combination of teamwork, innovative learning methods, field cases, and international exposure. Dr. Marlene Reed, Hankamer's Entrepreneur in Residence and a November 2016 Downtown Depot guest, leads the program.

"I believe that, at that level of the university when you're a senior in your discipline, you ought to be out in the community doing something applying the things you've learned," Reed said. "And I'm a big believer in the responsibility of an education. It has been given to these students and I think they need to give back to the community."

This semester, three groups from B.E.S.T. created business plans for the burgeoning Elm Avenue area in East Waco. If you are interested in an investment opportunity, please contact the group leader. Click on any of the photos to view the business plan in its entirety.

Chicken Shack, proposed for the undeveloped lot at 407 Elm Avenue, is a restaurant that serves shared plates of chicken and aims to bring together the Elm Avenue community through group-style dishes and an open atmosphere. The group leader can be reached at parkerdavis@me.com. 

The Place on Elm Avenue (The Place) is an outdoor space where tourists and locals alike can come and enjoy weekly movies, listen to their favorite bands, or just hang out while enjoying food from Waco favorites. Its proposed location is the undeveloped lots of 507 Elm, 509 Elm, and 504 Taylor. The group leader can be reached at Eric_Ver_Duin@baylor.edu.

Kestner’s on the Avenue, proposed at 501 Elm, plans to renovate the historic structure into a bowling alley, restaurant, and bar. The group leader can be reached at Kevin_Dooley@baylor.edu.