By Zoe Schantz
The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is delighted to announce that Kevin Burnett (’25, Eli Broad College of Business) is the 2024 John K. Sears Scholar. Burnett is the founder of TrailEagle Packs.
The John K. Sears Memorial Scholarship preserves the legacy of the late John K. Sears and supports students from the Greater Lansing region who will walk in his entrepreneurial footsteps.
Roots in the Outdoors
Burnett is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, just outside of Ann Arbor. With a background rooted in the outdoors. “From an early age, I was involved in camping, hiking, and scouting,” said Burnett. His love from the outdoors led Burnett to join Cub Scouts and eventually Boy Scouts where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in March 2021. Burnett further refined his outdoor skills by traveling to Cimarron, New Mexico, where he performed professional trail work for two summers.
The Journey of Nature and Innovation
Being deeply involved in scouting taught Burnett invaluable lessons about resourcefulness and perseverance. “These experiences shaped my ability to think creatively and persevere through challenges,” Burnett shared. These skills have helped to guide Burnett through his entrepreneurial journey.
Growing up Burnett was surrounded by a family of educators, those who encouraged his curiosity, continuous learning, and eagerness to explore new ideas. “This instilled in me the confidence to pursue entrepreneurial ventures,” he said.
Navigating New Trails
“To me, being an entrepreneur means having the courage to take a chance on an idea, knowing the risks and challenges involved,” said Burnett. To him facing the uncertainty of being an entrepreneur and being able to problem solve is what being an innovator is all about. Burnett doesn’t see his journey ending with TrailEagle Packs, he is ready to create his next venture, whatever it may be.
Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been instrumental in Burnett's growth as a student founder. The mentorship, funding, and strong community have been a guiding force for him. “As a young entrepreneur, one of my biggest challenges is funding, and the financial support has been crucial in covering startup expenses,” he shared. Having the access to mentors with experience have helped him navigate through challenges more effectively.
Burnett also shared that being a part of Burgess Institute has been a fundamental key to his success. Having access to alumni, faculty, students and other entrepreneurs have been an invaluable resource. “It’s an incredibly supportive environment where we can collaborate, share insights, and help one another grow,” he said.
Earning the John K. Sears scholarship is one more thing that will push Burnett closer to success. “Being a John K Sears Scholar is an honor that represents the importance of giving back to the communities that shape you," he stated. Burnett shared that he strongly believes in supporting the people who have helped you along the way, and that this scholarship is a motivator to continue Sears impactful legacy.
As graduation nears, Burnetts focus is on growing TrailEagle Packs so that he and his cofounder can take it on full-time. He shared “Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is thriving, and I plan to stay deeply involved in the venture and creation space, contributing value to the communities within Michigan.”
For more on Kevin and TrailEagle Packs, checkout https://www.traileaglepacks.com/.