The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a year-long program that teaches middle and high school students how to start and run their own REAL businesses. was developed at the University of Rochester in 2004 with the support of a grant from the Kauffman Foundation. Houston Community College is excited to be introducing YEA! to the Houston Community! guides high school students through the process
of starting and running a legitimate business or social movement over the course of a full academic year. has graduated almost 600 students over the past 7 years, who have started almost 450 businesses and social movements! graduates started as students, and left the program as CEOs of their own companies! Over the course of the program, students:
- Brainstorm business ideas
- Write a business plan
- Interact with business professionals
- Pitch their business plan to potential “investors” (think Shark Tank meets the Apprentice meets American Idol)
- Obtain funding
- Legally register their businesses
- Participate in a Trade Show
- Actually launch their own businesses or social movements
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HOUSTON YEA'S LOCAL COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS & SUPPORTERS:
INVESTOR PANEL JUDGES
Firat Educational Solutions - Ibrahim Firat, CEO
Cap West Strategies - Hector Carreno, President
Nation Waste - Maria Rios, President
LUCHO Houston - Hector Villarreal, Owner
FIELDTRIP HOSTS
Trentino Gelato - Marcelo Kreindel, Owner
Chick-Fil-A - Willie Anthony, Owner
(Style on Demand - Andrea Bonner, Owner)
Cap West Strategies - Hector Carreno, President
SPEAKERS
Attorney - Davenport Law Offices - Michael Davenport, Owner/Attorney
Accounting - WIW Advisory & Investment - Habib Yunus, Managing Director
Insurance & Risk Management - Castillo Insurance - Branda Castillo, Owner/Agent
E-Commerce - IT Vibes - Siva
Sales Speaker - Sandler Training - Christina Bell, President & CEO
Niche Marketing - Medley, Inc. - Ashley Small, Owner
Designations & Awards - Three Brothers Bakery - Janice Jucker, Owner
Gov't Resources - Trebor Gordon, City Council
Taxes - Marjorie Lott, CPA
Social Entrepreneurship - Dakota Laine Enterprises - Chance DL Graham, President/CEO
MENTORS
Storyteller Promotions - Mike Mallon, Owner
Sameera Faridi Designs - Sameera Faridi, Owner
Shell - Jean Wong Wilson
Fresh Prints of Houston - Rob Schmid, Owner
Bioplanet Corp. - Bernardo Herrero, Owner
Shea Writing & Training Solutions - Evalyn Shea, Owner
Kids World Learning Center - Nicole Daniel, Owner
UYL Color Supply - Yen Hoang, CEO
Hairston & Assoc. Insurance Services - Sharon Harringston King
RPC Global - Abe Gonzalez, Owner
Social Media Footprints - William Spencer, Owner
WEB DEVELOPERS
Pop Labs - Gene McCubbin, President
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Storytellers Promotions - Matthew Mallon, Owner
BUSINESS PLAN REVIEWERS
All Things Printed - Al Nall
IN-KIND SPONSORS
HEB Beechnut - Frank Hidalgo
Crespo Pizza & Italian Grill - Sam M***i
