Each year, the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition pairs three Denver-area business leaders with three up-and-coming youth entrepreneurs. Young Americans Center for Financial Education is pleased to introduce the first of our presenting mentors for the 2022 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition: Randy Wells, former Managing Director of RBC Capital Markets’ Communications, Media, and Entertainment Group. One lucky winner …
On Friday, May 20th, YouthBiz hosted the finale of our StartUp program for the students of Aspen Crossing Elementary School. The event took place at MSU Denver’s Science building as a culminating field trip for participating students. One hundred fifth grade students participated, all hoping to impress local business leaders with their business pitches and prototypes. Over ten days, the …
Anna Brekken, owner of AnnaMade Design Co., was not only a finalist in the 2021 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition, she also runs her own Etsy shop, is a regular vendor at YouthBiz Marketplaces and craft fairs, and – fun fact – she plays the organ(!). Anna has always enjoyed arts and crafts, so when her grandmother taught her …
With 56,000 volunteers around the globe donating 383,000 hours to nonprofits, we know that the Denver area employees of JPMorgan Chase & Co. are certainly contributing to these incredible numbers of engagement. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has been a community partner of the Young Americans Center for Financial Education for 15 years. They are a strong supporter both in philanthropic …
Vivian Blessing, owner of Bright Side Wonders, is an energetic 13 year-old who somehow manages to balance school, dance, and running a business. Bored during the pandemic, Vivian, age 11 at the time, was looking for a new hobby. After attending a Kidpreneur class online she started to make honey-based soaps and a variety of handmade skincare products that use safe …
Since winning the 6-11 age category last year, Tuff Glasmann, owner of Tuff’s Ranch has seen tremendous success. He and his family moved to a ranch in Bennett, Colorado where his business mentor, Jeff Bennis of Rifkin & Associates, Inc., arranged local mentors for him – 4M Feeders and La Vaca Meat Co. Tuff was able to process six head of cattle, …
CoBank is a key partner in our efforts to provide an equitable financial education for all. CoBank’s continued support is part of its corporate citizenship initiatives which support community causes in the Denver metro area (home of the bank’s national headquarters) and across the country. Past Young Americans Board Chair and CFO of CoBank, Dave Burlage, explains why this partnership ...
Just as KeyBank supports a business pitch contest for startup businesses through its Key4Women program, they also support young entrepreneurs in learning how to pitch their business ideas through Young Americans' YouthBiz program. YouthBiz StartUp provides middle and high school students with the basic building blocks of success through a curriculum that young people can connect with utilizing hands-on activities. ...
We love when our partners facilitate community discussion around entrepreneurship! In October, Anna Leer (VP YouthBiz), presented at OtterCares inaugural NoCO IgnitED event designed to connect educators and industry leaders to think about education differently. The two-day collaborative event provided attendees with the opportunity to experience innovative learning models in Northern Colorado, with a focus on entrepreneurial mindset, design thinking ...
Andrew Kurtz (age 16) is the owner of A Designs, and winner of the 2021 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars 16-21 Age Category. Andrew Kurtz of A Designs, Age 16, Winner of YouthBiz Stars 16-21 age category Andrew has faced some major health challenges in recent years, so two years ago he started making cards to distract himself and fill the ...
