High school entrepreneur honors father’s legacy with $20,000 win at Invest Nest

Annual competition sponsored by America First Credit Union highlights student-led businesses and real-world innovation

PROVO, Utah (May 5, 2026) — Vince Witt, an 11^th-grade entrepreneur from Wasatch School District, took first place at the Invest Nest Regional Monday night, earning $20,000 to grow his business, Vince’s Turf and Landscaping.

The inspiration for Vince’s business came from his father, Joe Witt, a Heber Valley homebuilder who taught him how to work with his hands and appreciate the value of hard work. Joe Witt died earlier this year in an avalanche while snowmobiling.

“My dad taught me everything I know,” Vince Witt said. “I really like working with my hands and feeling like I got something accomplished at the end of the day.”

His mother said watching him build the business has been especially meaningful this year.

“Vince has felt strength from his father from the other side,” said Terri Witt, Vince’s mother. “Joe’s legacy lives on through Vince and will continue to live on through all of us.”

Both Terri and Vince said Vince’s business reflects the values Joe instilled in him — hard work, honesty and persistence.

“We aren’t quitters,” Terri said. “Even just trying counts as a win. There’s always something to learn from mistakes.”

Those lessons helped shape the business Vince presented at the Invest Nest Regional, where student entrepreneurs pitch real-world ideas to a panel of judges.

The live, “Shark Tank”-meets-“American Idol”-style competition sponsored by America First Credit Union brought together top student businesses from across Utah and Idaho, each advancing after winning district competitions. In total, eight finalists pitched their ideas on stage at iHub in Provo.

“We’re blown away by the creativity and confidence these students bring,” said Heather Flinders, vice president of south central branches at AFCU. “They’re already shaping the future through real ideas and real businesses, and it’s clear that future is in very good hands.”

The first-place award, provided by state title sponsor America First Credit Union, gives students real capital to invest in the growth and development of their business. Vince Witt said the top prize money will help him expand his business and continue building on what his father taught him.

Second place and $12,500 went to Abril and Santiago Cuevas, owners of Le Negrita Empanadas, an Argentinian empanada business. Third place and $7,500 went to Luke Livsey of Forge Fit, a cut-resistant apparel brand for construction workers, woodworking and metal-work enthusiasts.

Finalists in this year’s competition included:

• Jefferson School District: HSR Adapters (affordable digiscoping tools)
• Davis School District: Forge Fit (cut-resistant apparel)
• Duchesne School District: Bin Bros Services (bin cleaning and yard services)
• Wasatch School District: Vince’s Turf and Landscaping (landscaping with a water-conscious specialty)
• Provo School District: APEX Lead Systems (AI-powered receptionist tools)
• Madison School District: Le Negrita Empanadas (Argentinian food business)
• Cache County School District: Westward Fuel (on-site fuel delivery)
• Nebo School District: Uptwn Vintage (vintage clothing resale)

Judges included business and community leaders such as Brandon Fugal, chairman and co-owner of Colliers International’s Utah office; Mary Crafts, entrepreneur and speaker; Dave Studdert, entrepreneur and founding partner at LVT; and Heather Flinders, vice president of south central branches of America First Credit Union.

Invest Nest is a regional entrepreneurship program that encourages high school students to create and develop their own business ideas and present them to a panel of judges. Each year, students compete at the district level, where winners receive $10,000 and advance to regional, where the top team earns $20,000.

Since its founding, Invest Nest has helped launch more than 100 student businesses, with more than 40 still active today. To date, the program has provided students $845,000 in funds and is on track to surpass $1 million for young entrepreneurs by 2027.

The program is supported by partners including America First Credit Union and produced by Davies + Allen.

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ABOUT AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION 
Founded in 1939, America First Credit Union has grown from a single branch serving military personnel and federal employees into one of the strongest and most progressive credit unions in the country. The credit union is the largest in Utah and has 117 locations across Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. It is also the fifth largest credit union in America with more than 1.5 million members, and the sixth largest in assets with more than $24 billion. America First Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative dedicated to building communities and helping members do more with their money. Learn more at americafirst.com.