Gente Joven Por Un Cambio (GJC) Startup Group Photo

“When I Grow Up”

Janet Redwine YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Teaching Youth Entrepreneurship in Mexico In just weekend last November, 25 deserving kids became 25 incredible young entrepreneurs.  Here is their story! A popular tourist destination, San José del Cabo, Mexico is known for its beautiful beaches and colonial architecture.  The city boasts elegant hotels and restaurants that draw tens of thousands of visitors each year.  Tourism is the main …

YouthBiz Holiday Marketplace 2019

Top Five Reasons to Shop YouthBiz Marketplace

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

It’s nearly #SmallBusinessSaturday and a great time to make plans to shop at the ultimate “shop-local” experience: YouthBiz Marketplace!  This year’s annual event takes place on two Saturdays in December: Saturday, December 7 – Young Americans Center for Financial Education in Denver, 3550 E. First Ave. Denver, CO 80206 Saturday, December 14 – Young Americans Center for Financial Education in …

A child with many toys is shown

Three Easy Ways to Help Kids Give This Holiday Season

Janet Redwine Get Involved, Spark Change, Young AmeriTowne, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Kids are very generous.  So many YouthBiz owners donate a portion (or all!) of their profits to help others.  In Young AmeriTowne last year, students donated an average of $2.25 per student–pretty remarkable given that their salary is only $20-$30.  And in Spark Change, students collect change and donate their time, talent, and treasure to a nonprofit.  As giving it …

On a Thursday evening, the “best of the best” youth entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges. These 16 middle school students won top honors at their school’s Colorado Uplift YouthBiz StartUp pitch competition, and convened for the finals to compete for the top prize: $250. Their creativity and professionalism impressed judges and audience members alike!

YouthBiz Entrepreneurs Impress at Colorado Uplift Finale

Maite Wantwadi YouthBiz Leave a Comment

On a recent Thursday evening, the “best of the best” youth entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges.  These 16 middle school students won top honors at their school’s Colorado Uplift YouthBiz StartUp pitch competition, and convened for the finals to compete for the top prize: $250.  Their creativity and professionalism impressed judges and audience members alike! …

Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Park Burger are thrilled to introduce you to the 14-year-old winners of Burger Biz! This team created the Omnivore’s Colorful Challenge, a delicious and more nutritious alternative to the standard hamburger. In addition to winning $500, creators Gabriel Nagel and Kellan Clapp will have their burger featured in Park Burger restaurants throughout the month of November, where a portion of its sale will benefit the hands-on financial education programs of Young Americans Center. Learn more about Gabe and Kellan’s burger on our blog, and watch their segment on Colorado & Company !

Entrepreneurs of the Month: Gabe Nagel and Kellan Clapp

Janet Redwine YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Park Burger are thrilled to introduce you to the 14-year-old winners of Burger Biz!  This team created the Omnivore’s Colorful Challenge, a delicious and more nutritious alternative to the standard hamburger.  In addition to winning $500, creators Gabe and Kellan will have their burger featured in Park Burger restaurants throughout the month of …

Burger Biz Finale Burgers

Building the Best Burger at Burger Biz

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

What’s your favorite burger? YouthBiz teamed up with Park Burger restaurants to present this challenge to middle and high school students.  The result?  A lot of learning, thought, and inspiration, and four of the best-tasting burgers judges have ever tasted! Burger Biz began when 22 students met industry experts over the course of a week.  The group met for two …

Ryan and Jack Fleming Yard Boyz Youth Business on stage holding check

Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Winner: Yard Boyz

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

16-21 Age Category Many teens mow lawns to earn money in the summer. But Jack Fleming has re-defined what it means to be the neighborhood lawn-kid through his business Yard Boyz. In existence since 2015, Jack’s unparalleled customer service, marketing efforts and determination helped him grow his businesses from mowing a few lawns a week to providing lawn and basic landscaping to more than 70 regular clients this …

HER Design Store Products Displayed

Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Winner: HER Designs

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

12-15 Age Category Hannah calls herself an accidental entrepreneur, but this “accident” has become called HER Designs. Named after her initials, Hannah’s business sells hair clips, mirrors, pop-socket-like phone holders and mini personal alarms, each customized with her signature rosette. Hannah estimates that she’s sold more than 1,000 hair clips in the four years she has owned her business. Owning a business has enabled Hannah …

Ryder Matz Gumball Machine Iconography

Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Winner: Ryder’s Riches LLC

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

6-11 Age Category When Ryder received a gumball machine for his birthday, he decided to start a business: Ryder’s Riches LLC. Ryder’s Traveling Gumball Machine spends time visiting shops and restaurants in the Lafayette, Louisville, and Boulder area, adventuring to a new spot every month or two. The best part about owning a business for Ryder, besides seeing how much money he makes, is being able …

Youth entrepreneurs helped fuel the energy and excitement of Denver Startup Week for a third straight year! Youth Pass, a partnership between Young Americans Center’s YouthBiz program, Junior Achievement and Denver Startup Week, enabled students to participate in event workshops, to lead panel discussions, to compete for cash prizes, and to pitch their business ideas to Colorado entrepreneurs and business leaders throughout the week of September 16-20. YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS SHOUKEN LOPEZ, LUKE ADEN, MIA HAYDEN, MELANIE ZHOU, AND JACK MCCONNELL PITCHED AT THE YOUTH PASS PITCH CHALLENGE. A highlight of the week occurred on Tuesday afternoon with the Youth Pass Pitch Challenge. Mirroring the adult Pitch Challenge, Youth Pass provided an opportunity for youth-owned businesses to pitch to a panel of judges. Four businesses took part: Luke Aden Photography created by Luke Aden, The Teen Entrepreneur created by Shouken Lopez, Katch created by Jack McConnell, and Oasis created by Mia Hayden and Melanie Zhou. Luke, who is a senior at Dakota Ridge High School, felt honored to participate: “The fact that teens have this opportunity is so exciting, and my goal is to hit the ground running whether I win or not.” Vice President of YouthBiz, Anna Leer, watched these entrepreneurs grow throughout the process of preparing for their pitch. “This experience has pushed them way beyond what’s comfortable,” she said. “Watching them grow, think, and develop what they really want for their business has been truly awe-inspiring for me and for everyone involved.” Team Oasis ended up taking top honors at the Youth Pass Pitch Challenge. Inspired to take action after a friend’s suicide, Mia and Melanie created Oasis to provide a physical “Oasis” space in schools for students to seek emotional care. After winning the Youth Pass Pitch Challenge, Oasis went on to compete against 19 other (adult-owned) businesses for a chance at the Denver Startup Week Pitch Challenge Finals. Mia and Melanie wowed the judges again, and they went on to win the Grand Prize Package worth $100,000! HANNAH, THE OWNER OF SIMPLY DENVER SOAP CO., TALKS TO CUSTOMERS AT THE DENVER STARTUP WEEK MARKETPLACE & EXPO. Youth entrepreneurs also participated in the third annual YouthBiz Marketplace and Expo at Denver Startup Week. While some of the 19 participants had long-established businesses, others, like 11-year-old Hannah, made their debut at the event. Hannah’s business, Simply Denver Soap Company, sells all-natural soaps for people with sensitive skin, just like her. For Hannah, talking to people about her products was, “a lot of fun!” She even made a few connections with business owners that would like to sell her soap in their shops. Marketplace visitors were also delighted and impressed with their experience. Entrepreneur and Denver Startup Week Participant Martin Rosenberg wrote on Twitter, “The young entrepreneurs here at #DENStartupWeek‘s Future of Entrepreneurship event were all so impressive, and I can’t thank @yacenter enough for putting this event on. I look forward to buying from all of them.” GABE NAGEL, CHLOE WARREN, CLAIRE FISK, AND EVAN HOING SHARED THEIR INSIGHTS WITH FELLOW MAKERS AT THE DENVER STARTUP WEEK MAKING IT PANEL. Youth Pass 2019 wrapped up with a panel discussion called Making It: Achieve Success in the Maker Movement at Any Age. Four young entrepreneurs led the discussion: Gabe Nagel, creator of Gabe’s Bazaar, Chloe Warren, Co-Owner of Sweet Bee Sisters, Claire Fisk, creator of Wonderful Words, and Evan Hoing, Owner of Evan Hoing Woodworking. In addition to sharing their stories, the entrepreneurs provided inspiration for getting started in the Maker Movement. Claire’s advice was simple: “Say yes! There’s so many opportunities if you just decide to say yes!” Gabe added, “Be persistent. Keep trying and don’t give up.” Through Denver Startup Week Youth Pass, youth entrepreneurs gained real world experience in running a business, pitching an idea and networking with the Colorado business community. And the real value of this week was that adult entrepreneurs could witness and interact with the future of entrepreneurship in our state.

Experience and Inspiration at Denver Startup Week 2019

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz 2 Comments

Youth entrepreneurs helped fuel the energy and excitement of Denver Startup Week for a third straight year!  Youth Pass, a partnership between Young Americans Center’s YouthBiz program, Junior Achievement and Denver Startup Week, enabled students to participate in event workshops, to lead panel discussions, to compete for cash prizes, and to pitch their business ideas to Colorado entrepreneurs and business …