BEST Youth Entrepreneurial Camp Completes 5th Year of Mentoring Youth With Business Plan Training

July 7, 2010 - PRLog -- MILWAUKEE, July 7, 2010 –The Latino Entrepreneurial Network (LEN) recently completed the fifth annual summer camp to assist local young adults in starting their own business.  This Bilingual Entrepreneurship Summer Training (BEST) Youth Camp brings young talent together to participate in an advanced business training experience.

Donations from State Farm Insurance, as well as the Milwaukee County Say Grant, assisted this program tremendously as 27 local young adults, between the ages of 9 and 17, participated at the Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute (MEI) located on Milwaukee’s south side on W. National Ave.

Participants developed a business plan presentation while interacting with entrepreneurs, engineers, bankers, insurance agents, real estate brokers and other professionals. The young adults also had counselors available to assist these young adults with creating a business plan and presentation.  Jessica G. Cavazos, Congressional Liaison/ Latino Affairs at Office of Congresswoman Gwen Moore, was also onsite at the camp and spoke to the students.  

Volunteer speaker and coach Christopher Castillo, partner/CEO of Aeutus Marketing, owner of Castillo Consulting Services, and LEN founding board member, stated “This is a great program that exposes young adults to the ideas and foundations of the American Dream and becoming a business owner.  I wish I had this type of training and support when I was their age as I may have started my own business a lot sooner in life”.  

The BEST Camp formed two groups of young adults; one group with ages from 9-13 and the another 13-17. At the end of the week, all participants presented their business idea to a panel of bankers, and business professionals, who selected the top three presenters from each group. All winners will received scholarships, prizes and/or internship opportunities.

Nelson Soler, founder of LEN and MEI president said, “This program trains our young adults at a young age how to successfully start a business.  These young adults are given the knowledge that has taken other entrepreneurs many years to learn.  Regardless of English proficiency, LEN has again focused its efforts in assisting these young microenterprises, and future business owners, to develop strategies that can turn their aspirations into profitable enterprises.”

About LEN
The Latino Entrepreneurship Network TM (LEN) is a not-for-profit association that has been created to service entrepreneurs and microenterprises’ needs while providing an inclusive environment to all small business owners in Southeastern Wisconsin.   LEN bridges these individuals with resources through strategic alliance formation, networking and sharing of business practices. The three primary goals of LEN are to promote wealth transfer, community reinvestment and strategic alliance formation.

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About LEN
The Latino Entrepreneurship Network TM (LEN) is a not-for-profit association that has been created to service entrepreneurs and microenterprises’ needs while providing an inclusive environment to all small business owners in Southeastern Wisconsin. LEN bridges these individuals with resources through strategic alliance formation, networking and sharing of business practices. The three primary goals of LEN are to promote wealth transfer, community reinvestment and strategic alliance formation.