The Young Entrepreneurs Academy fills an important role
as the capstone of an overarching entrepreneurial culture
created by the Greater Elkhart Chamber to support local
children and young adults in pursuing their passions.
Left: Samantha Shank learned how to sew to create reusable “paper
towels.” She has a great focus on brand nonrecognition and frugality
that any start-up business needs. Her sister, Hannah Shank, a proficient
seamstress, put her talents to use by picking vibrant and attractive
patterns to create makeup pouches.
Above: YEA! meets once a week with instructors - area business leaders
and mentors who volunteer time to help students build business plans.
are challenged to explore their passions in what Shah refers to
as the “ideation stage.” Here they have the freedom to bounce
around ideas and get valuable feedback from their peers and
instructors before jumping into the second stage – actually
planning out the details of the business. This business planning
process involves marketing and the development of a product
or service under the guidance of mentors from the local
business community.
During this second portion, the new entrepreneurs are
required to create a presentation for an investor panel. All local
participants are eligible to receive up to $1000 in investment
a business license and launch the business they worked extensively
to create. And by the end, these young business owners have much
to show for the investment of their time and energy.
Nationally, YEA! has launched more than 1,000
businesses and graduated 1,394 students, many of whom
are underrepresented minorities and female students. Shah
considers it to be an honor to have helped institute the local
chapter of YEA!, the first in Indiana when it first launched
out of the suggestion of a local high school student. He
acknowledges the program, of course, is “not all rainbows
and butterflies,” but the instructors feel privileged to witness
Born of inspiration and built out of passion, these
emerging businesses are the offspring of the strong
entrepreneurial spirit of the Elkhart community.
money for startup costs. The top business from the investor
panel will represent Elkhart in the national Saunders Scholarship
competition in Boca Raton, Fla. Last year, E&M Removal
advanced to the competition’s semifinals in Rochester, N.Y.
Finally, in the last portion of the program, the students apply for
the students’ vibrance, their excitement, and their fear. YEA!
is truly a unique opportunity – Shah says it is “experiential
learning at its finest.”
For information on how to get involved with YEA! contact
Kathy Cardwell at [email protected]