Pay it forward

Everyone has a story.

Think back to when you started, and remember the challenges you faced.

Imagine if you had access to a program like this when you were young. How would that experience have changed you?

If we all pay it forward today, our students will have every advantage tomorrow. The Academy offers many ways to roll up your sleeves and get involved.  Share your expertise and tell your story today.

📣 Calling All Experts

How might you lend your experience?

  • Mentors work one-on-one with student businesses to assist in the creation of their business plans. In 90-minute sessions for six weeks in December and January, mentors provide guidance and feedback as students think through all aspects of their business creation, write their business plans, and prepare their investor presentations.

  • Graphic Designers work one-on-one with individual student businesses to produce logos and print material for the new enterprises, including business cards, brochures, letterheads, and more. Working remotely, Graphic Designers invest approximately 5-10 hours in November to help a new student business secure a professional and winning look and feel.

  • E-Commerce speakers teach students about the great opportunities of conducting business online and explain the pros and cons of e-commerce and why it’s so important to small businesses in today’s economy.

  • Insurance experts speak with students about the specific business insurance needs of the various student enterprises and discuss the risks different businesses face, how insurance works, and how small businesses benefit from the insurance industry.

  • Marketing speakers help students understand what a niche market is and explain the pros and cons of operating within a niche market through their own personal experiences and work.

  • Accountants speak with students about budgeting, finance, and taxes while also touching on the role of an accountant and what small business owners should know about accounting services.

  • Attorneys introduce students to legal business structures, intellectual property, patent and trademarks, and how the law and court systems interact with small businesses.

  • Our students show up hungry! We serve dinner for the students before digging into their entrepreneurial journeys each week. Restaurants and caterers who can to provide about 30 meals for a specific class would provide a great start for our students.

  • Field trips get students excited about the promise of enterprise and feature local companies with dynamic speakers.

  • Tax experts share their knowledge and personal experiences to clarify what small businesses need to know about taxes, sales taxes, filing options, and the role of state and federal taxes on local enterprises.

  • Social entrepreneurship speakers speak about the importance of social entrepreneurship, the business behind non-profits, and the vital role that non-profit organizations play in a local community.

  • Local banking partners get involved directly with new student enterprises, offering accounts to each business. They speak about the role of banking and business loans in small business.

  • Government speakers, possibly elected or appointed officials, speak with students about the role that local municipalities can play in creating a friendly business environment and incentives for local companies.

  • An important part of any enterprise, students learn about various advertising, marketing, and public relations strategies that are vital to small business success. The students will learn how to enhance their company’s brand while attracting more customers and generating more sales.