Rutgers business plan competition sees a return to more traditional ventures; interior landscaper wins top prize

The two top winners, both Rutgers Flex MBA students, started companies that provide services. Brian Bergen, owner of an interior landscaping company called Bergen Botanicals, won the $20,000 first-place prize. Paula Zwiren, president of Zwiren Title Agency, received $15,000 for second place. Sarah Blessing, who graduated from the Rutgers Flex MBA Program in January, came up with the idea for TRAINgle, a fitness band with some flair. Her team, which includes Flex MBA students Aamir Khan and Leann Cosley-Richardson and recent MBA grad Joanna Trzaska, won the $10,000 third-place prize.