Youth Entrepreneur Program

In the Youth Entrepreneur Program, Club members are learning about what it means to be an entrepreneur and what it takes to start their own business.  They are all creating their own business plans, beginning with idea development and creating a business pitch. They are filming their own commercials as well. The program will culminate with a “pop-up market” in May for members to host their businesses at.  Guest speakers are visiting the program throughout the year to share their expertise with youth, as well as talk with them about what they have learned through their experiences with starting their own businesses.  

Currently, there are eight Club members who have been consistently participating in YEP. In our 3rd session we discussed our talents, hobbies, and interests and how we could use them to form our business. Staff told the members that by the end of the day, they would have their business picked out. Two of the members spoke up and said “Oh, we have our business idea! We’ve been talking about it ever since our first day of YEP.” They each filled out their “These Are My Talents” worksheets and created their business idea together. They also helped other members brainstorm business plans as well as a supply list everyone might need to start.  

“Seeing them all work together and being so excited about something that they discussed it outside of the Club just reinforces how great of a program this is for our youth,” says Alyson Drooger, Program Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of Moody County. Programs like the Youth Entrepreneur Program really give our members the opportunity to learn how to create their own businesses from start to finish, providing them with an early jump in experience and a drive to become entrepreneurs in the future.  

This program was made possible by the Education Equity grant awarded by 3M. Interested in sharing your experience with our members? Contact Kristy Weaver at kweaver@greatfuturessd.org.