From classroom idea to winning pitch 

Sitting in class listening to a friend struggle with outfit choices, Cannon Hill Anglican College student Ethan Le had a simple spark of an idea: what if there was an app that curated outfit recommendations, social-media style? 

That spark became Fashion Finder – and ultimately led Ethan to win the Binnacle Boss competition in 2025. 

While Ethan is now in his first year of a Bachelor of Information Technology (majoring in Cybersecurity), his journey into business began in high school through the Certificate III in Business BSB30120. 

“For me, the Cert III was the practical choice,” Ethan says. “I really wanted something I could use later on for work or uni. I found so much passion in entrepreneurial ideas, how a business runs behind the scenes, and interacting with customers.” 

Far from just theoretical study, the qualification delivered immediate real-world benefits. Ethan actively applies the skills he learned – from writing professional emails and handling customer relations at his casual job, to understanding workplace structures and HR processes in his university studies. 

“Employers look at those practical skills and see that you already know how a business operates,” Ethan explains. “It gives you a real edge over other applicants.” 

When it came time to enter Binnacle Boss, Ethan worked alongside his teacher to transform a practical class assessment into a polished pitch. Despite initial self-doubt, taking the leap paid off. Winning the competition did more than just secure funding for a new uni laptop; it validated his potential. 

“Winning proved that I could take an idea further and bring it to life,” Ethan shares. “It showed that people were actually taking my idea seriously.” 

Today, Ethan actively applies the practical skills from his Certificate III – from professional writing and customer relations in his casual job to understanding organisational structures in his degree. Looking ahead, he plans to launch his own cybersecurity venture or build a career in the corporate world. 

His advice for students thinking about taking a VET pathway? 

“Put yourself out there,” Ethan says. “You learn valuable, real-world skills that you just don’t get out of a standard ATAR subject. 

Watch Ethan’s pitch here: