“I’ve learned that I want my brand to tell people that their worth is being in the world.” — Eli, Grade 7
The Student Entrepreneurs Academy is offering middle school students hands-on experience in entrepreneurship through a structured curriculum and mentorship from local professionals. The program aims to guide young participants from curiosity to creation by teaching them design thinking, problem solving, prototyping, customer research, and branding.
Students began with design thinking exercises focused on empathy—learning how to identify problems, interview users, and reframe challenges into opportunities. They then applied entrepreneurial methods to move from uncertainty toward concrete actions by prioritizing ideas and planning experiments.
Prototyping was an important part of the process. Students built physical models of their concepts using simple materials like cardboard and paper. This approach helped them understand the value of testing ideas early rather than waiting for perfection.
Participants also created detailed customer personas to better define who their products are for. This step guided decisions about product features and marketing strategies. In addition, students explored brand identity beyond just logos by considering values, voice, visuals, and the promises brands make.
A field trip to Executive Millwork gave students insight into real-world business operations. John Webster demonstrated project workflows, safety protocols, tool usage, material selection, and quality assurance. Students learned about attention to detail and how personal values influence daily work.
Guest speaker Adam Baugh led a session on understanding customers—a key skill for any entrepreneur. He discussed connecting personas with actual behaviors and emphasized asking the right questions to find effective solutions.
Lisa Mont-Ros of Strategy Ninjas co-facilitated the academy sessions. Her guidance focused on strategic thinking without overwhelming students. She provided instruction on positioning products in the market and developing clear value propositions.
Mentorship plays a central role in the academy’s success. This year’s mentors include Melanie Nemetz (Keller Williams Integrity First), Jasmine Holmes and Jenny Satcher (910 West), John Webster (Executive Millwork), and David Scott (First Western Bank). Their backgrounds span real estate, marketing, craftsmanship, and finance—offering students diverse perspectives on what it takes to succeed in business.
Another field trip took place at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences where students refined their prototypes based on feedback received during earlier stages of development.
As part of their preparation for future ventures or competitions, students are learning how to structure pitches, understand financial basics, and communicate value clearly ahead of a showcase event where they will present their projects to community members and potential partners.
Community members interested in supporting youth entrepreneurship can participate by sponsoring upcoming pitch contests or providing prizes for student achievements as well as offering financial support for ongoing programming.
