Local CEOs share tips with teen entrepreneurs

ROWLETT,TX. (March 10, 2015) Students from the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) were introduced to Mr. John Klitsch, Associate Administrator of Business Development of Lake Pointe Medical Center, Mr. Drew Howard Vice President of H&S Manufacturing Company, Mr. Brandon Parraway CEO of S.W.E.A.T. Wellness & Nutrition, and Mrs. Kim Nguyen Owner of Dry Clean A2Z. All of the local CEOs volunteering their one-on-one time with the students discussed their roles, companies, backgrounds, and offered helpful business and networking advice to the students. The CEOs were able to share how they got their start in business to the next generation of CEOs.

As part of the YEA! program, students are introduced to all facets of the business world including, but not limited to, advertising, insurance agents, graphic designers, accountants and web developers.

Over the course of this year’s YEA! program, 7 students will launch 6 businesses. On April 1st, these students will present their businesses to a panel of local investors. Students will be awarded monies to launch their businesses. Two businesses will be awarded the opportunity to compete in the YEA! Western Region Competition to be held inPhoenix,AZ.

As a non-profit organization, YEA! relies on the generosity of the community and of sponsors; people who identify with entrepreneurship and want to help pave the way for the future business leaders of tomorrow.

“YEA! strengthens the community, and the community strengthens YEA!,” said Gayle Jagel, the Founder and CEO of theYoungEntrepreneursAcademy.

“Our program managers and instructors seek out people in every facet of the business community in which the program is housed, in order to help facilitate the creation of our student’s dreams- into a reality.”

During the course 2014-2015 school year, many local businesses become involved with YEA! at various levels. Students work in close cooperation with local business leaders, community leaders and educators who use their personal experiences to demonstrate how to transform their ideas into tangible enterprises that create economic and social value for a better world.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)

The YoungEntrepreneursAcademy(YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting year long class that transforms middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Throughout the class, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors, and actually launch and run their own real, legal, fully formed companies and social movements. Founded in 2004 at the Universityof Rochesterwith support from the Kauffman Foundation, the YoungEntrepreneursAcademytoday serves thousands of students in communities across America. For more information about the YoungEntrepreneursAcademy, please call 585.272.3535 or visit www.yeausa.org. To nominate a student or submit a student application for the 2015-2016 school year, contact Tammy Alexander, Rowlett Chamber of Commerce YEA! Program Manager 972-965-1804 or tammy@rowlettchamber.com, www.rowlettchamber.com.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Partnership

In 2011, the United States Chamber of Commerce and Campaign for Free Enterprise became a national sponsor and partner of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy to help promote the spirit of enterprise among today’s youth and tomorrow’s future leaders. Through coordination with its network of local chambers of commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are celebrating the power and promise of young people in business and encouraging the next greatest generation to make a job, not just take a job.

Submitted by Laura Keasling, Communications Director Rowlett Chamber of Commerce.

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