MANSFIELD — The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) returns this fall after a successful inauguration during the 2015-2016 school year.
This 30-week program teaches students in grades 6 through 12 how to start and run their own business.
FirstEnergy is helping give financial support to YEA! for the second year. During a Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday, Dan DeVille, FirstEnergy area manager, presented Bill Sharp, YEA! director, with a $1,500 check to go toward the YEA! program.
DeVille noted what a success the program has been.
“FirstEnergy is very proud of what happens in our communities, especially the entrepreneurs that begin to build up through programs like Young Entrepreneurs Academy,” DeVille said.
Six students participated in the program’s inaugural year.
According to Sharp, one of the students who developed a sports training band is in negotiations with a national manufacturer. Another student is working with the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum to develop an app that could potentially be sold to other children’s museums. Another student’s clothing design will be in a catalogue. And one other student, who owns a lawn care operation, has been able to increase his business over 50 percent by purchasing a trailer to haul his equipment.
“Your money was well spent with those young entrepreneurs, and we hope we can do the same this year,” Sharp told the Rotary Club, which donated funds to the program last year.
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2016-2017 school year.
Sharp hopes to have more students involved this year, especially females as there weren’t any who participated previously.
For application information, contact Sharp at mrachamberfoundation@gmail.com or call 419-522-3211 or click here.
According to Sharp, there are about 120 YEA! programs throughout the nation, five of them in Ohio.
The local YEA! is held at the Kehoe Center every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., beginning in November and ending in May.
In addition to gaining more knowledge about what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur, students have the opportunity to speak with and hear from 52 professionals in the area. From accountants, to attorneys, insurance agents, CEOS, and others, students are able to build an impressive network that will carry with them even after the program is completed, Sharp said.
