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Meet a Mentor: Leroy Williams, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CyberTeKIQ LLC

Janet Redwine Events, Get Involved, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

This week, we invite you to meet the second of our three distinguished mentors hosting a youth entrepreneur in the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition.  Leroy Williams is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CyberTeKIQ LLC, a management consulting company that helps businesses understand the technology landscape. Entrepreneurship has defined Williams for as long as he can remember.  As …

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Meet a Mentor: Ryan Beiser, Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking, PNC Bank

Janet Redwine Events, Get Involved, YouthBiz 1 Comment

Every year, the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition pairs three Denver-area business leaders with three up-and-coming youth entrepreneurs.  The first mentor we are highlighting for this year’s 18th annual competition is Ryan Beiser, PNC regional president and head of Corporate Banking for Colorado. Beiser’s extensive background in business and finance and most importantly, his personal commitment to community engagement and …

Jack Fleming is the 18-year-old owner of a lawn care business called Yard Boyz. Due to his dedication and vision, the business has steadily grown over the last five years, and in 2018 Jack made $25,000 in profit! Jack’s goals for this summer include staying on top of his administrative work and expanding his business. He is a finalist in the 2019 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition. Watch Jack pitch his business on Colorado & Company, and learn more about him and his business below. Question: Tell me a little bit about you – name, age, how long you’ve been an entrepreneur? Answer: My name is Jack Fleming and I am a recent high school graduate. I started Yard Boyz 5 years ago. Q: What motivated or inspired you to start a business? A: I was motivated to start Yard Boyz because I wanted to have money of my own. I enjoyed cutting lawns, and I thought it was a simple way to make a little extra money. Q: Please share an overview of your business. A: Yard Boyz is a general landscaping service that specializes in weekly lawn mowing. We also do small- to medium-sized landscaping projects in the Centennial area. Q: Do you have a website or place for people to contact you/buy products?If so, what is it? A: I currently do not have a website. Q: Tell us about some of the challenges you face being a young business owner. A: One of the top challenges about running my business is making sure that I keep all the little details straight with regard to scheduling, payroll, employee scheduling, billing, and equipment. Q: What’s the best part about having your own business? A: My favorite part about having my own business is learning what it truly takes to be an adult and have a job. Some of my friend’s experiences cannot compare to the things I have had to do and the responsibilities I have had to manage. Q: Would you encourage other young people to start a business? Why or why not? A: Of course. I personally believe that almost all students in high school should have businesses if they want one. It teaches them so many valuable skills. Q: What is your involvement with Young Americans Center for Financial Education? A: I applied to their YourthBiz business competition and have been named a finalist for the past two years. Also, when I was younger, I participated in AmeriTowne as an Accountant at the Utility Center. Q: I hear that congratulations are in order—you’re a finalist in this year’s Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition! Tell us about this award and how it could help your business improve. A: This award seeks to help small businesses improve from ages 6-21. I am grateful to be named a finalist, and I plan to use the money awarded to help replace some worn out equipment that I have been using.

Monthly Entrepreneur: Jack Fleming, owner of Yard Boyz

Janet Redwine General Leave a Comment

Jack Fleming is the 18-year-old owner of a lawn care business called Yard Boyz.  Due to his dedication and vision, the business has steadily grown over the last five years, and in 2018 Jack made $25,000 in profit! Jack’s goals for this summer include staying on top of his administrative work and expanding his business. He is a finalist in the 2019 Spotlight …

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Sponsor Spotlight: Kids gain real sales experience at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Janet Redwine Events, Get Involved, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Walk into Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, and you’ll immediately see a kid-friendly gift shop filled with toys, games, stuffed animals, candy, and even products made by young entrepreneurs.  This unique space is the result of a special partnership between Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children and a YouthBiz Star entrepreneur. In 2015, Rocky Mountain Hospital …

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Meeting the Stars: Young Americans Center names top Colorado youth businesses

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz 2 Comments

Youth business owners, family members, and fans gathered at Young Americans Center for Financial Education on Tuesday for the Meet the Stars event, which recognized the 46 applicants to this year’s Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition.  The room was filled with both inspiration and anticipation! During the event, Anna Leer, Vice President of YouthBiz, and Rich Martinez, President and …

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Concept of the Month: Be Your Own Boss

Janet Redwine Bank, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Be your own boss, start your own business, create your own invention! You don’t have to be an adult to start your own business. Take a look at these kids who started their own businesses and entered our Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars competition in 2018: Liam Lennon, age 12, Owner of The Lucky Penny Emily Rudnick, age 15, Creator of …

Have you ever heard of amigurumi? These adorable, crocheted creatures are a big hit on Etsy, and 15-year-old Josephine “Joey” Stockton is an amigurumi expert. She’s owned her own business, Nerdy Crochet, for seven months now, and her signature items relate to science, technology, engineering and math—think multi-colored crocheted test tubes or a blood cell biology kit! Joey is hoping to gain experience that will make her business even better by applying to the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition this spring.

Colorado & Company: Nerdy Crochet

Janet Redwine YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Have you ever heard of amigurumi?  These adorable, crocheted creatures are a big hit on Etsy, and 15-year-old Josephine “Joey” Stockton is an amigurumi expert.  She’s owned her own business, Nerdy Crochet, for seven months now, and her signature items relate to science, technology, engineering and math—think multi-colored crocheted test tubes or a blood cell biology kit!  Joey is hoping …

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What’s New with YouthBiz Stars!

Maite Wantwadi YouthBiz Leave a Comment

Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars is Young Americans Center for Financial Education’s chance to celebrate Colorado’s top youth entrepreneurs!  This annual gala event recognizes entrepreneurs in 3 categories, Ages 6-11, Ages 12-15 and Ages 16-21, and awards cash prizes to a winner and two finalists in each category. We are excited to announce that we’ve added a new category and that …

YouthBiz is excited to announce that we’re holding a Valentine’s Day Trunk Show next month! You’ll find great gifts from six different youth business owners, including a few former Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars winners and finalists. Sweet Bee Sisters, a 2017 winner, will sell their all natural, beeswax-based skin-care products. At Gabe’s Bazaar, owned by 2018 finalist Gabe Nagel, you’ll find moisturizing massage candles, Super Bars (an all in one moisturizer, sunscreen, bug replant, and deodorant), stamped bracelets, and more. Josephine Stockton, owner of Nerdy Crochet, will sell her crochet dolls and science sets. You’ll find gifts for every type of Valentine, young and old!

Shop Unique Gifts Just In Time for Valentine’s Day!

Maite Wantwadi Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

YouthBiz is excited to announce that we’re holding a Valentine’s Day Trunk Show next month! You’ll find great gifts from six different youth business owners, including a few former Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars winners and finalists.  Sweet Bee Sisters, a 2017 winner, will sell their all natural, beeswax-based skin-care products.  At Gabe’s Bazaar, owned by 2018 finalist Gabe Nagel, you’ll find moisturizing …

Liam’s business The Lucky Penny creates custom items out of pennies that commemorate special events. His collection of pennies dates back to 1909, so he’s able to make keychains, bracelets and necklaces for just about any request. In working with his mentor Scott Wylie this year, Liam hopes to add online sales to his website and to develop some strong business relationships which will further grow his business. He’s also looking to add a few new products to his line.

The Lucky Penny, Spotlight on YouthBiz Star Winner, 6-11 Age Category

Janet Redwine Events, YouthBiz Leave a Comment

“What could be cheaper than pennies,” thought Liam Lennon, and a business idea was born!  Liam’s business The Lucky Penny creates custom items out of pennies that commemorate special events. His collection of pennies dates back to 1909, so he’s able to make keychains, bracelets and necklaces for just about any request.  In working with his mentor Scott Wylie this …