1. Bringing Business Education to Life - Piloting the Young Entrepreneurs Academy in Webster

2. What is the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)?  A year-long, experiential course of study that engages students in the complete process of starting and running a real business  Students present their plans to investors, who provide real seed money to pursue their business plan  Being brought to Webster as part of a grant through the Finger Lakes WIRED Initiative

3. What Makes YEA! Successful?  Encourages Experiential Education - Learning by Doing  Encourages students to START and RUN their own businesses  Businesses may not last a lifetime, but the lessons will  Allows Flexibility and Creativity  Allows students opportunity to come up with their own business ideas centered around things THEY care about  Incorporates Business and Social Entrepreneurship  Non-profits & social movements are enterprises that create value  Involves Community  Local entrepreneurs, businesses, service organizations, local alumni & media

4. How can the Webster business community support YEA!?  In order to be highly interactive and engaging, we will be looking to area business people to share their expertise and experiences  Types of assistance needed  Host Field Trips  Guest Speakers  Mentors  Investors  Expertise-areas

5. Field Trip Topics  “Cool Business”  Food Franchise  Personal Style  Advertising Agency (or related business)  Sports-related business

6. Guest Speaker Topics  Accountant  provide financial guidance related to starting and operating a small business  Serve as a resource should questions arise  Attorney  provide legal guidance related to starting and operating a small business  Serve as a resource should questions arise

7. Guest Speaker Topics (cnt’d)  Niche Marketing  An expert in the targeting marketing to specific demographic groups  E-commerce  Designations and Awards  Banking  provide guidance related to managing the finances of a small business  Serve as a resource should questions arise  Provide accounts in that branch for the businesses

8. Guest Speaker Topics (cnt’d)  Government Resources  Discuss how small businesses interact with government entities  Insurance and Risk Management  Explain insurance options and liabilities for small businesses  Serve as a resources should questions arise  Social Entrepreneurship  Discuss the not-for-profit realm

9. Guest Speaker Topics (cnt’d)  Networking/CEO Roundtable  Taxes  Media Meet and Greet  Discuss aspects of public relations  Sales

10. Mentors  1 Mentor/student-developed business idea  Provide guidance and support to student businesses  Agree to meet with the group 1 hour/week (in school, during scheduled class time) for 6 weeks  Main area of focus will be providing guidance in the creation of the business plan and preparation for the investor panel

11. Investors  Provide seed money to student businesses (as a tax-deductible donation)  $700/year for 3 years  Serve on the “Investor Panel”  Hear student “pitches” from the various student businesses  As a whole panel, decide which groups (and to what extent) you will “invest” in the student business

12. Other Experts  Graphic Designers  Work with one group to assist in the development of a logo  Produce a logo for business cards, letter head, and other promotional materials  Web Designers  Work with one group to develop a basic web-site for the student business

13. Thank You! For More Information Contact @ District Office – Terry McCarthy (670-5079) @ Schroeder HS – Mary Pat Guinane (670-5000) @ Thomas HS – Scott Deuschle (670-8000) Suzanne Fess (670-8000)