Bryan Keck was inspired to create a company while walking his dog.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School seventh-grader recently started Sound Shades, a combination of Bluetooth-enabled earbuds and sunglasses. The idea propelled Bryan to the first-runner-up award during the seventh annual Northeast Regional Saunders Scholars Competition in Rochester, NY., on Friday.

"I feel good about it because other people see the potential (in Sound Shades) besides just me," Bryan said.

Bryan said he likes to wear sunglasses and listen to music whenever he takes his dog outdoors.

"I thought, 'Why are these not integrated?'" he said.

During the competition, Bryan had six minutes to pitch his business plan. Bryan, 13, was the last of 36 students aged 11 to 18 to speak to a panel of judges.

"I was nervous the entire time watching the others," Bryan said.

Those nerves faded away during his pitch. Bryan said he began to feel confident because the judges "didn't seem so menacing."

Bryan competed through his involvement with Dubuque's Young Entrepreneurs Academy, a nine-month program that helps prepare students for the business world. All facets of business, including advertising and financial aspects, were part of the program in which local leaders demonstrated how to transform ideas into enterprises.

While in the academy, Bryan decided to create some version of tangle-free headphones.

"It's such a saturated market. It's hard to come up with something original," he said.

Bryan said combining sunglasses with Bluetooth technology was a "wacky idea" that was not available on the market.

Although the program ended for Bryan with the competition, he plans to continue his business and patent his product.

"It's pretty important," Bryan said, adding he doesn't want anybody to steal his idea.

Seven businesses were launched through the local academy, which is offered through the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We couldn't have been more excited or more proud to hear and to see Bryan's success," said Molly Grover, chamber president and CEO.

The academy's second year will launch this fall. It is open to sixth- through 12th-grade students.

Bryan and his parents, Julie and Dave, craft the sunglasses in their home. Bryan said he has had nine orders so far.

People interested in purchasing a pair of the $49.99 sunglasses can contact Bryan at soundshadesdba@gmail.com.

"Eventually, I'd like to get into retail stores," Bryan said.