SHELBY — Three teens haven’t graduated high school yet, but they already own a business.
Chase Beaire, Kent Reese and Drew Steensland, who participate in the Richland County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA!), are in the midst of a busy two weeks.
The trio took part in a media meet and greet event Tuesday, May 16 and will have their businesses on display at the Richland Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours on Thursday, May 25. That event comes after graduating from the program on Tuesday, May 22.
“As we complete the seven-month program, we want to make sure that each of these students are prepared for the next part of their journey,” said Nikki Lewis, foundation manager for the Mansfield-Richland Area educational foundation.
Obviously proud of the small group, she smiles ear to ear when noting their accomplishments.
“Drew has launched his business already and is currently making sales. Chase will be preparing for his June 3rd concert and later this year to tour,” she said. “And Kent will be releasing his first video game, Duck, this fall.”
Kent also qualified for Saunders Scholars semifinals earlier this year. He participated in a competition at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York in early May. He didn’t make it as far as he hoped, but he isn’t discouraged.
“I’m going to enroll in the Saunders business college at RIT and hope to further my business while I’m there,” he said.
Representatives from the Richland Source, the Mansfield News Journal and WMFD were present Tuesday to talk with the students.
“I really haven’t talked to media,” Reese said.
Media representatives spoke about the use of press releases, offered interview tips and even shared stories about their best or worst interview experiences.
“Being able to build community relationships, with other business owners and the media, will only benefit them in their business careers and their personal careers,” Lewis said. “We invite representatives from different media outlets in our community so the students can introduce themselves to them and begin building those relationships.”
The event is part of the YEA! curriculum, but in the future, Lewis wants to make it open to the public.
“In the future, I hope to grow this invite to include our community as members of the audience,” Lewis said. “It would be a great way for everyone to learn how to interact with the media and prepare themselves for interviews and story coverage.”
YEA! is a national program for students as young as sixth grade. Jodie Perry, president of the Richland County Chamber of Commerce, was previously the chamber president in Rochester and brought the concept here. It’s now in its second year.
Before the end of the program, students become the CEO of their own real company. It’s complete with bank accounts and a tax ID number.
“We walk through the entire process with them from developing ideas, to partnering them with mentors from around our community, assisting in the business plan writing, bringing investors to them who will help provide funding for these startups, and then helping them launch their businesses,” Lewis said in an April 2017 interview.
“We want to see these students succeed and if we can be even a small part of their success, then we have done our job.”
The program is currently accepting applications for the YEA! Class of 2017-2018. Interested students can reach out to Nikki Lewis at 419-522-3211 or nlewis@richlandareachamber.com.
It is open to all school districts within Richland County. Schools, classes or organizations are also encouraged to reach out to Lewis, who is willing to give group presentations about the program.
More information can be found at the program’s national website, www.yeausa.org.
