A Head Start on Startups
Youth Entrepreneurs class helps seniors start their own businesses Written by Megan Middleton
A dozen Crowley ISD seniors have launched their own businesses and jumpstarted their careers as part of a new entrepreneurship course at the Bill R . Johnson Career and Technology Education ( CTE ) Center .
Students in Youth Entrepreneurs ( YE ) develop an entrepreneurial mindset as they launch their own businesses and learn leadership and business skills .
“ It ’ s giving students the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and giving them opportunities you don ’ t see in many other districts or in a regular classroom ,” Chris Ford , YE teacher , said .
The program originated in Kansas and recently expanded to other states , Ford said . CISD is one of eight locations in Texas for the program .
“ In Crowley ISD , we embrace innovation and thinking outside the box ,” he said . “ This has been a great opportunity for us at the CTE Center to give our students another chance to gain knowledge about entrepreneurship , business and being passionate about their career .”
North Crowley senior Kaylie Vinson joined forces with other classmates to create Retro Renew — a business that refurbishes old clothes into new styles . Vinson hopes to continue her business , which is now making profit , after graduation .
“ We have been directed more to think outside the box and incorporate our passions into that ,” Vinson said . “ This class has really helped open us up and allowed us to be creative .”
Being in the class solidified her decision to pursue fashion design but also has given her new skills to understand the business angle as well .
“ It ’ s helped to learn that whole other side of it from this class ,” she said .
Crowley High School senior Loyd Cranson began a media production business as part of the YE class and has participated in the Market Day events that allow students in the YE class to pitch and sell their services at various CISD campuses .
“ I ’ ve gotten a lot more experience working with clients through YE ,” Cranson said . “ It gives me insight into the business side of media production .”
Ford said students have gone in different directions with their pursuits — some have changed their plans and others have become more confident in their original choices .
“ I wish I had this opportunity with YE when I was in school ,” Ford said . “ I tell my students that every day . It gives them the opportunity to start now while they are in high school and be able to jump right into what they
Students host Market Day events to showcase their businesses on campus and get a real taste of the marketplace .
would like to do and what they are passionate about and leave with a lot of resources that can help them with not only business but all walks of life .”
North Crowley High senior Liz Markum , a graphic design student , said this experience has helped her gain clients and shown her how to use her graphic design skills to promote a business — in this case , her business , Honey Bee Helpers , which creates T-shirts to raise awareness about the disappearance of bees .
“ Youth Entrepreneurs has taught me how to creatively solve problems for profit using an entrepreneurial mindset ,” Markum said . “ It has helped prepare me for my future and for my career by giving me the skills to make my business plans into a reality .”
If you are interested in the Youth Entrepreneurs program or any of the small businesses , contact Ford at christopher . ford @ crowley . k12 . tx . us
Spring 2017 | CROWLEY ISD CONNECTIONS 17