Columbus State University’s Nakia Guy is one of 20 student entrepreneurs selected from across the country to compete in the prestigious Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Student Entrepreneur Program in Las Vegas this week. Nakia is a junior majoring in business management and minoring in chemistry at CSU.

The SEP program fosters growth for the next generation of women-owned businesses through a tailored entrepreneurial curriculum and mentoring from certified women-owned businesses and Fortune 500 Corporate Members, including Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company, Dell Technologies, Ericsson North America, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Merck, Macy's, Pfizer, Office Depot, U.S. Postal Service, and Walmart.

"Being selected for this program, being flown out to Las Vegas, and participating in the Pitch Competition is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Guy. “This event is in line with my core principles, which are to use as many resources that are given to you as you can, move according to what your short and long term goals are, and to plan for your future.”

Guy, a Certified Financial Coach, created a business concept named Financially Free By 23. The focus of the company is to address the issue of financial illiteracy with young adults to empower them to become financially independent.

As part of the program, students will compete in a pitch competition with a total of $10,000 in seed capital being awarded to the top three students.

This year's cohort includes students from 17 universities majoring in biomedical, engineering, computer science, business and the arts. All student participants are passionate about their future and have incredible entrepreneurial spirits. Whether they are still in the early stages of launching their startup or looking to advance their business, SEP will give this year's cohorts the tools and resources to become proactive women entrepreneurs.