During the 2025 tecBRIDGE High School Business Plan Competition, four of the eight teams that presented in the live presentation round were from the Greater Hazleton Area. Corey Buchman, a senior at MMI Preparatory School, came up with LawnEase, an on-demand lawn care platform that connects homeowners with local service providers through a mobile app and website, making yard maintenance more convenient while creating flexible income opportunities. To celebrate this accomplishment, we connected with Buchman to learn more about his journey so far.

For those who may not know you, tell us a little about yourself and why you’re participating in this year’s competition. As a future economics major at the University of Chicago, I’m participating in this year’s competition to gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship. I also really enjoyed being part of the competition last year, so I was excited to return.

How does it feel to represent the community of Hazleton? I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent my school and the people who’ve supported me along the way. It’s a great feeling to show how much their mentorship has helped me grow.

What significance does this opportunity hold for you? This experience means a lot to me, not only because of the valuable skills I’ve gained, but also because it’s something I can carry into my college years. Being able to speak about what I accomplished and how it’s shaped me will be meaningful as I pursue my future career.

Can you describe the journey of reaching this point in the competition? My journey started last year when I reached out to CAN DO with a business idea. They pointed me toward the High School Business Plan Competition, and I’ve been involved ever since — first as a competitor who won last year, and now as a finalist again! This year, I initially planned to pitch a simple brick-and-mortar drink shop in Hazleton. I was encouraged to think more innovatively, which led me to create LawnEase. Looking back, I’m so glad I pivoted — this competition really values originality and forward thinking.

What advice would you give to fellow students interested in joining the High School Business Plan Competition next year? Ask for references! Hearing from past winners was a huge help in preparing me for what to expect. I know it made a difference for my friends, too. Learning from those who’ve gone through the process gives you a big advantage.

For more information about tecBRIDGE’s High School Business Plan Competition, contact Jocelyn Sterenchock at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..