Youth-Owned Colorado Businesses to be Honored September 24

DENVER - July 31, 2015 - PRLog -- FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Betsy Sklar
303-320-3245
bsklar@yacenter.org

NEWS RELEASE

Youth-Owned Colorado Businesses to be Honored September 24th

August 3, 2015, Denver – Colorado’s entrepreneurial economy is exploding, and some of the most exciting new ventures are from the youngest business owners of all.  If you’re thinking tech start-ups by recent college grads, think again. Nine Colorado businesses owned and operated by kids as young as nine years old are free enterprise successes, with concepts ranging from latte lip balm (hand-crafted by bee-keeping sisters) to a franchisee twist on the traditional lemonade stand.  The young entrepreneurs behind these businesses will be honored at the 14th Annual Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs, sponsored by CoBank. he event takes place at Denver’s Seawell Grand Ballroom on September 24.

Young business owners from across Colorado submitted applications to compete for cash awards of up to $1,000.  Independent judges­, including business people and educators, selected a winner and two finalists in each of three age categories.  The youth will have their first networking experience with the adult business community and will accept their checks at the dinner and awards ceremony.  In addition, each winner will be paired with a Presenting Mentor – a business leader who presents the award and provides support and advice through the year.

The 2015 Finalists

6-11 years old age category:

Jack Bonneau (9), Jack’s Stands;  Isabelle (Izzy) May (10), Charming Wine Charms; and Acacia Sack (10), Reading Goal Bookmarks

12-15 years old category:

RJ Duarte (15), Green Worx Landscaping and Lawn Service;  Nikki Ettig (15), Victorious Foods LLC; and Lily (14), Chloe (13) and Sophie (10) Warren, Sweet Bee Sisters

16-21 years old age category:

Nic Ansuini (16), Wild Wood Pens; Eloise (16) and Natalie (18) Hodges, Ethan Durell (18), Ben Roberts (17), InTune String Ensemble; and Hannah Isenhart (16), Hanimals

About Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs and Young Americans Center

Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs is a business competition and fundraiser that benefits the programs of Young Americans Center for Financial Education, a nonprofit charity that reaches more than 60,000 youth every year through hands-on programs and real-life experiences to develop financial literacy in youth.  For tickets ($250 per person) contact Janet Redwine at 303-320-3241 or jredwine@yacenter.org.

Visit www.yacenter.org to learn more about Young Americans’ resources for young business owners, as well as flagship programs Young AmeriTowne, International Towne, free Money Matters classes and Young Americans Bank in Denver, the only FDIC insured real bank in the world specifically for young people (age 21 and under).