Youth Entrepreneurship Alive and Well in Colorado

DENVER - Sept. 23, 2016 - PRLog -- After a record-setting Denver Start-up event last week, Young Americans Center for Financial Education marked a mile-stone of its own at the annual Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars youth business competition awards ceremony and gala, held at the Seawell Grand Ballroom on September 22.  This year's event, sponsored by CoBank, marks 15 years of recognizing outstanding young entrepreneurs in Colorado.

Three winning businesses received $1,000 and a pairing with a Presenting Mentor, a leader from the Denver business community committed to encouraging the next generation of business owners in Colorado.  Broomfield resident Jack Bonneau, 10-year-old Founder and CEO of Jack's Stands and Marketplaces, won the 6-11 Age Category with his business that franchises lemonade stands to teach other young people the basics of entrepreneurship.  In the 12-15 Age Category, the winner was 15-year-old Kayla Wolins, from Conifer, recognized for her non-profit Cards for Caring which donates all profits to the Wild Animal Sanctuary.  Hannah Isenhart, the 17-year-old business owner of Hanimals Greeting Cards, won the 16-21 Age Category.  Hannah sells cards and teaches photography and entrepreneurship to young people in the Boulder area.

Two finalists in each age category were also recognized:

·       6-11 years old:          Ruby Lucken (9), Golden – Ruby Designs, LLC, Food Cubby

Acacia Sack (11), Fort Collins – Reading Goal Bookmarks

·       12-15 years old:          Sam (14) and Max (11) Craig, Littleton – Smax Sticks

Lily (15), Chloe (14), and Sophie (11) Warren, Littleton – Sweet Bee Sisters

·       16-21 years old:          Nic Ansuini (17), Littleton – Wild Wood Pens

Ariane Vigil (21), Centennial – Teal Poppies

"These young people are such an inspiration, not only to their peers but also to the adult entrepreneurial community" remarked Richard E. Martinez, Jr., President and CEO of Young Americans Center for Financial Education.  "We are thrilled to be able to recognize their outstanding accomplishments."

About Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs and Young Americans Center

Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs is a business competition and award gala 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.

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 designed specifically for young people (age 21 and under).