Young Americans Center for Financial Education is proud of the amazing youth business owners who have applied for the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition! Learn more about each below. Many have online shops or websites where you can support these hard-working entrepreneurs.
2021 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Applicants
3ND Glass
After seeing the Chihuly Exhibit in 2014 multiple times, Ethan Davis was drawn to glass blowing. However, due to his young age (14), studios wouldn’t allow him to work there for insurance reasons. So what did he do? He took lessons for the next two years! In 2019, his Mom placed eight orders as gifts for her colleagues and that’s when the spark of starting a business began. Ethan started selling at the YouthBiz Marketplaces and made over $1,000 in sales at his first marketplace. Judges can’t wait to see what’s in store for 3ND Glass. They believe it’s well on its way to becoming a part of the Denver area art scene.
2021 Finalist
A Designs
What started out as a lemonade stand and a car-washing business ultimately turned into a card making business. Andrew Kurtz, owner of A Designs, has faced and overcome many challenges. It’s through these challenges that two years ago, A Designs was born. He has been able to grow his business and gain new skills like graphic design. Judges were impressed with the rate at which A Designs is growing and with Andrew’s commitment and perseverance. One judge exclaimed, “The work ethic that I see in the cards and the balance sheet in general, shows me that Andrew can run a business.”
All Power Tech
All Power Tech gave new relief to both employers and employees when the pandemic shifted their business dynamic to online remote work. This change in the workplace environment prompted Dar Govindan to make affordable quality applications and websites for individuals and small businesses. Dar’s mission is to help people find easier and better solutions during stressful times. The judges were impressed by his motivation and desire to help as an entrepreneur in the service industry.
All You Can Art
Micah Howard has always loved art — so much so that she wanted to entertain children while their parents shopped by giving origami lessons. Through this idea, All You Can Art, came to fruition. Micah participated in the 2020 YouthBiz Holiday Marketplace selling hand painted holiday cards and for the first time made her own money. As All You Can Art is growing, she’s looking for ways to expand and sell through other avenues. Judges loved the variety of her cards and commented, “The cards are beautiful” and “This is such a great product because it can be enjoyed and used by people of all ages.”
Alm Designs
Artist and entrepreneur Audrey McCullough has been creating and loving art for most of her young life. After some early recognition, Audrey realized she could turn her art into greeting cards to sell. Through the journey of starting her business, Audrey has learned about supply and demand, financing and marketing and says her goal is to prepare herself for her upcoming career and to raise money so she can attend art school. Judges picked up on this keen determination and noted how far she’s already come, saying, “The ingenuity and perseverance you have shown so far will serve you well in life, keep up the good work!”
2021 Finalist
Anna Made
For Anna Brekken, creating and designing cards did not just highlight her passion for arts and crafts, but also her special connection with her grandmother who first introduced it to her. Anna’s goals are to spread joy and celebrate people— her motivation her to keep doing what she loves! One judge noted that “the cards are all beautiful and appear to be high quality, great work!” Judges liked the fact that Anna has allowed time to evolve and develop her business and appreciate that she is “constantly thinking about turning one-time consumers into repeat buyers.”
AP Fusion
Promesse Nkela, owner of AP Fusion, started his business in the Spring of 2016. As a teenager he wanted to eat snacks that are “outside of the box.” He started making Oreo, Kit Kat, M&M, and pizza-flavored popcorn. His flavors were well-liked at his first YouthBiz Marketplace, and he made $100 from his original four flavors. As time went on, Promesse adjusted many things in his business, starting with his business name, from “Pop It” to “Pop Fusion” to “AP Fusion” which stands for Amazing Popcorn Fusion. Promesse loves to receive feedback from his customers about the flavors he offers. Judges admired how well established his brand of popcorn has been and admired his marketing through the Snapchat and Instagram social media platforms.
Aurum Photos
Starting a business wasn’t top of mind for Priya Bhavikatti, owner of Aurum Photos LLC. However, seeing how people valued her work through the various competitions she took part in during middle school, along with her passion, gave Priya the confidence to expand and build a business. Aurum Photos LLC is not just any photography company. Priya aims to “reach out to low-income families that may not be able to afford the pleasure of having senior portraits or graduation pictures.” Priya’s established marketing practices, her great social media following, and especially her accessibility and inclusivity goals, wowed the judges.
2021 Finalist
Bakeology / Loopy Lou Creations
At just eight years of age, Norah McCollough was introduced to the world of business by winning the People’s Choice Award at a kid’s bake-off competition at a local farmer’s market. After receiving rave reviews about her granola, she decided to start selling it. Bakeology made its appearance in multiple marketplaces including community bazaars and the YouthBiz Marketplace. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, Norah decided that she had to switch up her business a little bit due to certain food restrictions. She decided to start making crocheted stuffed animals, necklaces, bracelets, and coffee mug cozies. Norah says that she learned so much through that process. Judges were impressed by how Norah was able to pivot during such a critical time and commented, “I like how flexible and thoughtful she was when she decided to switch from granola to crocheting because she noticed a change in the market. This shows that she is well educated on market conditions and knows when to switch gears to be successful.” Norah is now working her way back to creating her granolas!
Baking 4 Good
Eager to travel to Belize to take part in a service project, sisters Ainsley and Brenna Dye had to think of a way fund their trip. What better way to afford the trip than to make and sell delicious and accessible cookie jar mixes with mouthwatering flavors! Apart from how useful and time-saving their cookie mixes are, the judges appreciate their willingness to donate a portion of their proceeds to those in need, and said that “consumers will feel even better buying these products knowing they are helping people.”
Bougie Brats Cosmetics
Approaching her three-year business anniversary, J’Niya Hernandez’s vegan cosmetic company celebrates products that fit well with the Colorado climate and the preferences of girls her age. Knowing that customers are looking for vegan options in their beauty routines, J’Niya has hit a real niche market that is expanding each year. Judges are excited about the expansion of Bougie Brats Cosmetics into trendy accessories and say that these products are particularly relevant to her target market.
Bright Side Wonders
Vivian Blessing’s entrepreneurial spirit was apparent when she was just eleven years old after attending a Kidpreneur class online which sparked her passion. Her first business celebrated her family’s beekeeping hobby by making honey-based soaps which received positive attention from clients and retail stores. Vivian then expanded her business by creating a variety of handmade skincare products that use safe and friendly ingredients. Judges were impressed with her efforts at starting and running her own business noting “I have never started my own business and am inspired by those that have the courage to follow their passions such as Vivian.”
Cheering With Earrings
Ever since Chase Barta got ahold of a 3D printer, his curiosity about this technology took over. It led to creating bold and beautiful earrings as a business to give back to charity. His creative, personalized designs and his mission to give back were praised by the judges. “I love that he gives part of the proceeds to a charity. I know that consumers are more likely to buy from a company if they are giving back”, said the judges. Judges also noted that “using technology to create a product that has historically been done by hand will grow his business by allowing him to make more earrings in a shorter period of time.”
Comfort Designs
Comfort Designs is exactly what the name implies. Creator and owner Amanda Worley has created a business with products that enhance comfort and look stylish. Her signature millet bags are designed to be heated in the microwave, and used to relieve muscle and neck pain, stress, or simply to warm up on a cold day. The judges were excited to try out Amanda’s millet bag and suggested expansion strategies to reach different sporting communities in Colorado.
2021 Finalist
Denver SNKRS LLC
Garrett Eisenman’s love for sneakers is tied to the community around it and how much each culture and character a used pair of sneakers carries. Denver Snkrs finds the most unique shoes that are deemed forgotten and finds a new home for them to re-shine and relive with new owners. With $50,000 in sales in less than nine months, judges are immensely impressed with his achievement. All of the judges commend his accomplishment and celebrate his passion for this business.
Ethereal Apparel
During COVID-19, founder of Ethereal Apparel, Sophie Ratana, reconnected with her hobby of crocheting which she learned from her third grade teacher. With so much time on her hands during quarantine, Sophie reignited her passion for crocheting and went on to master different unique fashion styles. With a brand goal aimed at inclusiveness for all body shapes and sizes, one judge commented that “the sky’s the limit for Ethereal Apparel!”
Evan Hoing Woodworking
When Evan was just 11 years old, he became hooked on woodworking by watching YouTube videos. He received a lathe machine for Christmas that year and taught himself how to make high quality, crafted wood pieces such as cutting boards. Four years later, Evan’s work continues to improve and evolve. Impressed with Evan’s skill, one judge commented, “The unique craftsmanship and dedication to creativity are what set Evan and his business apart. While there are functional benefits to many of his products, many can also be displayed as works of art.”
Farmer Gavin and Sister’s Bakery
Peyton Ruhs and her family started her business in 2016 selling farm-fresh eggs from 13 chickens. Fast forward five years and now Peyton’s business includes 300 chickens, 16 pigs and a bakery! Not only has she been extremely successful in business, she is also invested in giving back to the community. At a one-day bake sale, Peyton raised over $1,200 for treatment costs for a local teen diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Judges loved Peyton’s clear vision for her business growth and applauded her incredible work ethic!
Gilpin Lawn Care
As a young kid, Evan Stubbs used to stare out of his bedroom window and watch his Dad mow the lawn. All that observation must have paid off because by the summer after 5th grade, Evan was already in business. Gilpin Lawn Care offers not only lawn mowing services, but also weeding, mulching, plant care, hedge trimming, and landscaping—all done by Evan himself. The judges unanimously applauded Evan’s incredible work ethic and business acumen to accomplish so much on his own.
Light CO2
Gabe Nagel’s journey in entrepreneurship started in the 4th grade when he first started selling homemade clay, jewelry and candles with two of his close friends. Through this entrepreneurial journey, he has learned about marketing, risk management, and persistence. In 2019, Light CO2 was created with the same mission driven approach as each of his previous businesses. Light CO2 is a 501(c)3 organization that provides “accessible, personal, and impactful actions” for people to learn how to reduce and offset their carbon footprint. Judges loved how passionate Gabe is about the environment and “how agile the company is and how it can adapt as it grows.” They also admired his social media presence and user-friendly website.
Lily Grey Bags
Some might say starting Lily Grey Bags was inevitable for Katherine Whiteley, who comes from a long line of high achieving seamstresses. Katherine’s great aunt taught her to sew by hand in first grade and in third grade her grandmother taught her how to use a sewing machine. She’s been sewing ever since. As she became more skilled, Katherine decided that if she was going to be sewing every day, she might as well make some money from it and her business was born! The judges loved Katherine’s personal touch on all of her bags.
Lulu Petals
Lauryn Simon, the founder and owner of Lulu Petals said “I’ve always known that I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than myself and I feel like this part of me is fulfilled by my business.” This extraordinary young entrepreneur has been running her business for seven years with the goal of raising awareness for social and climate injustices. Her products include succulent terrariums, beeswax wrap and more, with a focus on reducing waste, conserving water, and improving air quality. Judges appreciated Lauryn’s commitment to the causes close to her through her eco-friendly products, packaging, and charitable giving.
Mile High Freeze Dry
After realizing how much food goes to waste after hosting a bagel stand, Reina Crowley developed a way to make food last longer and minimize food waste through freeze drying techniques. Mile High Freeze Dry offers a fun alternative to regular snacking habits and also educates the community on how to preserve food. Many judges appreciated Reina’s concern for the community and planet, and said that she “seems to be very mission driven, which defines most successful entrepreneurs.”
Mimar Soap
“Eric confronted packaging challenges to find the perfect balance between being cost-effective and eco-friendly, which shows a lot of comprehension on his part,” one judge exclaimed. Mimar Soap started as a “fake” business project in Spanish class. After selling out of his bars of soap, Eric Jones decided to take his business seriously and earn some profit by participating in the YouthBiz Holiday Marketplace. Eric learned a lot, revamped his business, and changed the product line to body butter. Throughout the rebranding process, Eric worked hard to ensure Mimar Soap’s packaging was not only inexpensive and appealing, but also eco-friendly.
2021 Finalist
Mimi’s Minis
Friends and business partners Colin Patterson, Rowan Steger and Carter Some might think it’s crazy to start a business during a pandemic, but not Amelia Moore. In the early months of COVID-19, Amelia took up sewing and made her Dad a red fox finger puppet. As she was finishing it, she realized she could stitch up the bottom and turn it into a stuffed animal. She did just that, and “Mimi’s Minis” was created. Amelia started selling her products and in time began donating a portion of her revenue to animal sanctuaries and shelters. The judges admired that she truly listened to her customers and was able to build other product lines like cat toys and finger puppets. “It’s so great to read about how her business started and how it progressed over time. It’s a nice job adding new items to her offerings by taking customer input into account. Her willingness to listen to her customers is a great attribute for any business owner.” Keep up the great work!
Mintz Metalworx
Cohen Waldschmidt began creating jewelry three years ago and was hooked right away. Since then, he has expanded his product line to include a variety of metal stamped and gem wrapped jewelry pieces. Cohen expressed how focusing on his business enabled him to get through the challenges of the pandemic as creating jewelry is a great stress reliever for him. The judges all agreed that Cohen’s products are incredible and can’t wait to see the marketing and distribution growth he is planning for future products.
NattyDreadArt
NattyDreadArt is an abstract art business run by Natty Samson. Natty has always loved creating different types of paintings. At school, Natty asked a teacher if he could have an extra canvas they had in their classroom. He painted a detailed galaxy of stars and that’s when he decided to turn his work into a business. Natty teamed up with his uncle to help build up his client base and learn about shipping. Judges stated , “It’s wonderful to see how he’s turned a personal talent into a business,” and “Natty’s paintings are beautiful, it’s clear that Natty is very talented. Keep up the great work.”
Northern Colorado Cars and Coffee
When 13-year old Brennan Sullivan started organizing neighborhood car shows, he had no idea how big they would become. In 2019, Brennan hosted his first car meet in Northern Colorado, attracting over 1,000 cars and putting Northern Colorado Cars and Coffee, LLC on the map. As a true entrepreneur, Brennan managed all aspects of the show, including marketing, sponsorships, insurance, vendors, and registration. He went on to host seven more successful car shows that same year. After a forced hiatus in 2020, Brennan is ready to be back in 2021. Judges were impressed with Brennan’s fresh take on an established industry, and look forward to all the ways he can set himself apart from his competitors.
2021 Finalist
Patriot Custom Finishing
“I’ve always loved working with my hands,” says Aidan Holsten. Growing up, his grandfather taught him everything he needed to know about building. He started working for a family friend building custom homes and finished basements and learned about the carpentry industry. After a few years, Aidan went off on his own and started Patriot Custom Finishing constructing interior barn doors and accent walls. In the midst of the pandemic, Aidan found ways to help lower costs by buying lumber wholesale. The judges praised his ability to pivot and still be profitable as lumber prices soared this past year.
People Planet
We have only one planet, and we all share it. The most meaningful and impactful businesses come from having a good message while being considerate to the planet. This is what Hana Gragus achieved with Peopl Planet, which offers socially and environmentally conscious alternatives to hair accessories by only using sustainable materials that are hand sewn with great care. The judges loved her gorgeous hair ties and noted that her ingenuity and perseverance will serve her well in life. Keep up the good work!
Profit Network
Shouken Lopez started an e-commerce business at the tender age of twelve years. Since then, he has operated multiple businesses, but the one business he truly felt passionate about was sharing his success with other teens while capitalizing on his knowledge and expertise. The Profit Network sells online programs to teach young entrepreneurs who want to make money through different income streams. Judges found that Shouken has done a “great job in finding a demand-driven market.”
Rezcue
Meilyn Recker is an animal lover and always knew she would pursue a career helping animals. She got her chance in the spring of 2020 when her family raised a litter of eight puppies until they were able to place them in forever homes. Meilyn loved the entire process and realized it was a great business idea. Rezcue was the resulting nonprofit, working with partners in Utah to source puppies and helping them find good homes. The judges were enthusiastic about Rezcue, brainstorming ways to grow the business to help even more animals. One judge noted, “Capturing the heart is the best way to ‘get a sale’ and since Meilyn is finding pups a home, every sale is a win/win.”
2021 Finalist
Simply Denver Soap Co
Despite challenges during the pandemic, Hannah Doolittle stopped at nothing to continue selling her all-natural handmade olive oil soap because she knew it was a winning product. She knows customers are looking for products such as hers, and her dedication to her business and willingness to explore new ideas inspired the judges. “Hannah has designed an attractive looking soap product and gift set with a sensible expansion strategy and runs her business like a true professional,” noted the judges.
StoneHut Gaming
Most successful entrepreneurs identify a problem and solve it. That’s exactly what Jack Vanourek did when he started StoneHut Gaming. StoneHut Gaming is a server for the popular game Minecraft which gives players a modified multiplayer experience. Based on feedback from players on other servers along with his own complaints, Jack decided to create his own server to address those issues. Jack writes most of the code and his favorite part is seeing something that he made be enjoyed by others. The judges were floored by Jack’s venture and with the knowledge and credibility he brings to the table.
2021 Finalist
String Theory Clocks
For Chandler Nayman, String Theory Clocks started out as a hobby making string art. Over the years, he learned to create different designs and use different background colors and eventually came up with the idea of turning string art designs into clocks. As time passed, Chandler’s clocks have evolved and his craftsmanship has grown. His designs are more durable and look more professional. Our judges admired their superior quality saying, “We as a consumer base are starting to cycle back to craftsmanship over choice.”
Teen Hustl
Jack Bonneau is a source of inspiration for all young entrepreneurs. Since he was nine years old, his mission has been to make business opportunities more accessible for kids and teens. Partnering with a nonprofit, Teen Hustle does just that by offering teens the chance to make money through delivery services while also learning about business, entrepreneurship, and building social skills. “Teen Hustle does a good job making use of under-utilized teen labor and saves busy people time for a reasonable price” noted the judges. Nice work!
That’s What She Made
Although Lily Solomon has only been running her business for a little over a year, she has demonstrated a great deal of maturity, wisdom, and business evolution. Her business, That’s What She Made, began by selling novelty earrings made from polymer clay that were shaped like food items. She has since progressed to different shapes and styles of jewelry that reflect her personal style and artistry. One judge gushed, “I think it’s inspiring that she chose to take her business in a direction that inspires her versus trying to make something just so it will sell”. The judges encourage her to stay true to herself and her artistic vision.
The Slime Kings
Selling his own slime creations at the YouthBiz Marketplace and being enrolled in Young American’s Mentorship Program gave Nicholas Gray the idea to start his own business. Meeting twice with his mentor, Nicholas has been expanding his business by concocting new scents and creating new packaging containers. “He is selling a product that kids love, I think it’s great that he found such a niche community to focus on,” remarked one of the judges.
Tiger Lily Jewelry
With sales of close to $2,300 in just under a year, Tiger Lily Jewelry is a real inspiration. Realizing how efficient and affordable it is to make her own jewelry, Kayla Dondero set out with no previous experience. She was driven to learn and created a business out of it by building a strong online presence on Etsy.com. The judges noted that Kayla has a strong grasp of her target market and that her business will continue to grow as her vision remains defined and clear.
Tray Chic
Tray Chic not only provides aesthetically pleasing resin wooden boards for the home, but also gives Sofia Cooper the chance to express her creativity which resonates with her customers. Judges were impressed with the combination of form and functionality and noted that “the product both looks beautiful and is also very useful.” Judges are also excited to become customers!
2021 Finalist
Tuff’s Ranch
As long as Tuff can remember, he always wanted to be a farmer. At the age of three years, his appetite geared only towards eggs which prompted his Mom to adopt some chickens. After hatching his own eggs, raising baby chicks, and growing fruits and vegetables, Tuff embodied how a farmer should make a living by also farming cattle, alpacas, and cows to sell their meat. “What an incredible company Tuff has built. It is amazing to read the evolution of everything, from owning a couple of chickens to now having 10 head of cattle, 3 alpacas and 50 chickens!” said one of the judges.
UpTrack
UpTrack is a student-led organization that helps connect students to the career exploration experiences they need in order to make important decisions about their future. Founder Jesus Soto has laid the foundation for this nonprofit by recruiting fellow student leaders to help operate the organization. Jesus and his team have plans to create a functional platform where students can locate career experiences, and to expand UpTrack to different high schools in order to increase impact. Judges agreed that Jesus and his team have done a fantastic job of developing a strategic business that fills a serious need.
Young Minds Podcast
Serial entrepreneur Luke Aden started his podcast journey in January 2021. Young Minds Podcast highlights young entrepreneurs starting businesses and those with successful, established businesses who offer tips and ideas to eager listeners. Judges were impressed with Luke’s great production value and the resilience he has shown in such a saturated market. One judge stated “the production company aspect shows that Luke is already thinking of the next level and expanding, all while growing his current show with content and value.”
Zach’s Tie Dye
As a natural businessman, Zach Kelsey was looking for a new business idea in the fall of 2020 when his friend introduced him to the process of tie dye. Immediately hooked, Zach started thinking of ways to further develop his business. After attending the YouthBiz Virtual Business Bootcamp in November of that year, Zach launched his tie dye t-shirt brand at the YouthBiz Holiday Marketplace grossing $300 in revenue. Judges gushed over Zach’s firm handle on product design, customer service, market demand, and growth goals.
