In 1992, after a summer of record youth violence in Denver, eight young people joined forces with a community leader to create a solution—YouthBiz. Their goal was to advance the social and economic prosperity of youth through the study and practice of entrepreneurship. Since that summer, YouthBiz has changed the trajectory of over 5,000 youth lives in Denver, particularly in …
Students Busy at YouthBiz
March has been a busy month so far for students and leaders in our YouthBiz program! Preparations are well underway for the YouthBiz Spring Marketplace, which will be held Saturday, April 29 at Young Americans Center in Denver. This biannual event showcases youth entrepreneurs who sell everything from soap to burritos to getting cards. There are still booths available, but they …
Gifts Galore Sold at Holiday Marketplaces
On the first two Saturdays of December, Young Americans Center for Financial Education hosted over 100 businesses at our Denver and Belmar locations. These youth-owned and operated businesses ranged from home baked goods to marshmallow slingshots. Returning and first-time sellers showed great promise and excitement in selling their products to eager shoppers. New business owner Lily Blessings of Lily’s Little …
Young Entrepreneurs Impress at YouthBiz Winter Forum
It’s been a great three months of hard work, problem solving, business creation, team selection, public speaking and critical thinking at YouthBiz! On Wednesday, December 14th YouthBiz graduated its fall cohort of young entrepreneurs from the Aspiring Entrepreneur (AE) an entry-level class that teaches participants how to think, learn, speak, and act like entrepreneurs and Emerging Entrepreneur (EE) programs. Participants pitched their …
Meet the 2016 YouthBiz Stars
Jack Bonneau, Jack’s Stands & Marketplaces Age 6-11 Category Winner Jack Bonneau (10) reinvented the lemonade stand as Founder and CEO of Jack’s Marketplaces and Stands. Jack was just eight years old when his Dad suggested opening a lemonade stand to pay for the Lego Death Star Jack begged for. Figuring it would take too long just selling lemonade on …
Age 6-11 Category Winner: Jack Bonneau, Jack’s Marketplaces and Stands Jack Bonneau (10) reinvented the lemonade stand as Founder and CEO of Jack’s Marketplaces and Stands. Jack was just eight years old when his Dad suggested opening a lemonade stand to pay for the Lego Death Star Jack begged for. Figuring it would take too long just selling lemonade on his …
Age 16-21 Category Winner: Hannah Isenhart, Hanimals Greeting Cards Hannah Isenhart (17) has been running her Hanimals business for over a decade! She photographed her first stuffed animal “in its natural habitat” when she was five, and sold her first photography cards at a small event a year later. Today, her cards are for sale at retail stores in Boulder, …
Ready to Win?
Young Americans is excited to announce that applications for Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs, Colorado’s largest competition for youth business owners are now open! Finalists and winners receive CASH prizes ($250-$1,000), to use towards operating or improving their business. Plus, winners are paired with a MENTOR, a successful Denver business person, to help guide their business strategy. Young Americans knows that Colorado is full …
Meet Young Entrepreneur, Alex, Owner of Bulldog Belts
Entrepreneurship is the willingness to take risks and develop, organize and manage a business venture in a competitive global marketplace that is constantly evolving. Entrepreneurs are pioneers, innovators, leaders and inventors. Alex, age 10, is the owner of a company called Bulldog Belts. Watch him on Colorado & Company to learn more about his business. The Young Americans Center for Financial …
Empowering Youth: Partnership with Colorado UpLift, Sponsored by Alpine Bank
Young Americans is kicking off the New Year by partnering with Colorado UpLift. Colorado UpLift is a nonprofit, youth service organization dedicated to building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth. Serving students in Denver Public Schools, Colorado UpLift staff will implement our YouthBiz StartUp entrepreneurial curriculum in six low-income middle schools this semester. “Young Americans is thrilled to partner with …
