By Shay Kaldem | Marketing Coordinator
The Arkansas Women’s Business Center partnered with South Arkansas Community College's Upward Bound program in June 2017 to host the First Annual Youth Entrepreneur Camp in El Dorado, Arkansas. The camp taught high school students business basics through project-based learning activities, local speakers and instruction.
During the four-day camp, teens took home important tips on how to start a business. Using the lean canvas business plan template, participants wrote their own single-page business plans, created pitch decks and formal presentations, and developed a 60-second elevator pitch. Austin Barrow, President of the Murphy Arts District, presented the teens with real business problems and asked the teens to solve them. They broke into teams to present their solutions to Barrow. Throughout the week guest speakers spoke on the importance of budgeting, ways to save money, and how to acquire capital. The group also heard entrepreneurial stories from AWBC clients on how their businesses got started, as well as the AWBC’s instrumental role in that process. On the final day of camp, teams of teams each pitched the new products or business ideas they’d worked on throughout the week to a panel of judges. The winning team split a $500 cash prize sponsored by Arkansas Capital Corporation Group.
“The highlight of my week was forming my team and pitching our business proposal to a group of business people,” said Lea, a participant. “It was exciting and nerve-wracking but a great experience. I learned that trying to start your own business is hard. It is a long time before you see the fruit of your labor, but [it’s] worth all your time and effort. I enjoyed learning how to use the lean canvas, as it is a helpful tool that shows you the steps you need to take to start your business.”
A special thank you to our sponsors for helping the AWBC provide an educational tool for our community’s youth: Innovate Arkansas, Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, BancorpSouth, Southern Bancorp, El Dorado Chemical Company, Murphy USA and Edward Jones Investments.
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