The entrepreneurial spirit is characterized by innovation, risk taking and the rare gift to build successful businesses. This innate spirit is considered to be an essential part of a nation’s ability to succeed in an ever changing and increasingly competitive global marketplace according to business experts. Fortunately in Valley County, energetic youth are igniting their entrepreneurial spirit by creating innovative products to start their own businesses!
Eight local youth entrepreneurs will be featuring their businesses at the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.) on Friday, January 30th from 3:00-6:00 pm during the Ord Wrestling Invite.
Join us in supporting these youth by shopping at the following business booths: Callee’s Coconut Cream Shoppe, Emma’s Wrap Arounds, Grace’s Sweet Scrubs, Kendyl’s Kreations, Amanda’s Attic, Shelby’s Custom Airbrushing, TJ’s Custom Decals, and Samantha’s BubbleMi. Featured products range from bath and body lotions, soaps and salts to custom-made decals to hand painted mailboxes, signs and fishing lures to handmade accessories such as scarves, headbands and jewelry. Each youth business owner will have inventory for sale and welcomes the opportunity to connect with community members! Many of the participating youth have had the opportunity to develop their skills and concepts for their businesses at other events including ESI Camp, local farmers markets, the Valley County Fair and Nebraska State Fair.
During the competition section of the event, the youth entrepreneurs will be evaluated by community judges on their booth appearance, business concept, and customer service skills. Owners of the top two businesses in the professional and beginner categories will receive awards from project partners to assist with the development and expansion of their businesses and one year of free Chamber membership from the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce which includes the opportunity to sell their products or services online at www.ShopOrd.com.
The Y.E.S. event is one of the valuable opportunities offered as part of the comprehensive youth entrepreneurship program design in Valley County. Through this educational experience and others available during each year, we are growing our next generation of business leaders and connecting with our youth to communicate the abundant opportunities to successfully live and work in rural Nebraska.
The Y.E.S. event is sponsored by the Valley County Community Foundation Fund, Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, Valley County Economic Development and Ord High School FBLA Chapter. Project partners are committed to providing empowering opportunities for youth entrepreneurs to live out their dreams for the greater good of Valley County!