by Alex Held - Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Seven months ago, the students participating in the Arlington Chamber's Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) began as just that, students. Throughout the course of seven months these students transformed into CEOs of their own companies, creating nine different unique businesses representing a variety of industries such as lawn care, retail, and technology.
Seven months ago, the students participating in the Arlington Chamber's Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) began as just that, students. Throughout the course of seven months these students transformed into CEOs of their own companies, creating nine different unique businesses representing a variety of industries such as lawn care, retail, and technology.
Many of the students began YEA!, a unique program that takes middle and high school students on an entrepreneurial journey, without any business idea at all; however, with the help of their enthusiastic instructors, Charlie Sibbald of Marymount University and Barbara Nicastro, founder of her own law practice, the students soon realized they could turn their hobby into a business, or come up with unique solutions to problems in their everyday lives. One student who was a shining example of turning a hobby into a business was Rose McGough who before moving to the United States enjoyed making beaded jewelry and custom made t-shirts for her friends and family. With the help of her business savvy Co-Founder & Classmate Dylan Cunningham, along with their resourceful business mentor, Rebecca Dunn of Neoniche Strategies, Avvo Apparel was formed which designs and sells custom made t-shirts and jewelry.
Other students such as Michael Freeman took a different approach to brainstorming a business idea thus solving a problem. To Michael, the current high school yearbook lacked the customization and affordability that many high school students in the 21st Century demanded. With every problem comes a solution and thus Pivloo was born which is a customizable digital yearbook app designed for high school and college students. Not only was Michael able to prove to a panel of investors that his idea was good enough for them to invest $1,000, but the investors also selected Michael to represent the YEA! Arlington program at the YEA! Saunders Scholars Semi-finals in Rochester, NY where he competed among the top student businesses from YEA! chapters across the country. "While I wasn't selected to compete at America's Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. in June, participating in YEA! has allowed me the opportunity not only to improve my skills, but also provided me with the opportunity to make valuable connections with local business leaders all while learning from their experiences as entrepreneurs," said Michael when asked about his experience in the YEA! Program.
Now that the YEA! 2015-2016 program has come to a close, many of the students have already leveraged their connections made throughout the seven month program. Some have even gone so far as to incorporate their business as an LLC. Whatever the next stage for these students is, we know that they will go on to do many great things, and we look forward to see what's in store for them next.
For more information about getting involved in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy please contact Membership Engagement Manager Alex Held at aheld@arlingtonchamber.org or (703) 525-2400.
Other students such as Michael Freeman took a different approach to brainstorming a business idea thus solving a problem. To Michael, the current high school yearbook lacked the customization and affordability that many high school students in the 21st Century demanded. With every problem comes a solution and thus Pivloo was born which is a customizable digital yearbook app designed for high school and college students. Not only was Michael able to prove to a panel of investors that his idea was good enough for them to invest $1,000, but the investors also selected Michael to represent the YEA! Arlington program at the YEA! Saunders Scholars Semi-finals in Rochester, NY where he competed among the top student businesses from YEA! chapters across the country. "While I wasn't selected to compete at America's Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. in June, participating in YEA! has allowed me the opportunity not only to improve my skills, but also provided me with the opportunity to make valuable connections with local business leaders all while learning from their experiences as entrepreneurs," said Michael when asked about his experience in the YEA! Program.
Now that the YEA! 2015-2016 program has come to a close, many of the students have already leveraged their connections made throughout the seven month program. Some have even gone so far as to incorporate their business as an LLC. Whatever the next stage for these students is, we know that they will go on to do many great things, and we look forward to see what's in store for them next.
For more information about getting involved in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy please contact Membership Engagement Manager Alex Held at aheld@arlingtonchamber.org or (703) 525-2400.
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