Youth Entrepreneurs Kansas® held its KC Metro Regional Competition at Premier Studios, Lenexa, Kan., on Thursday, April 21. Seventeen motivated high schoolers presented and defended their business plans, vying against one another to move forward to State and then potentially compete for $10,000 in New York.

Participants took judges through their proposed business descriptions, mission statements, market analyses and strategies, and financial workups. Whether it was cupcakes, golf, tacos, tutoring or amusement parks, students did their level best to persuade the judges that their business filled a need, was financially feasible and stood out from the competition.

“Youth Entrepreneurs is just the type of organization we love,” said Heather Knight, executive director of brand development, Premier Studios. “Premier Studios was founded on entrepreneurial principles, and the ability to provide innovative, strategic marketing for our clients — as well as our own brands — is paramount to our success. You can’t foster creativity and innovation too early.”

Knight served as a judge for the competition, along with Kevin Rooney, senior vice president, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Mike Farag, principal, Fervor, and CEO, Heffys BBQ Company; Joe Rosenberger, principal, Process Triage; and Victor Ocran, assistant vice president, Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Winners of the competition were Trina Durham of Wyandotte High School and Madyson Smith of Truman High School.

About Youth Entrepreneurs
Founded in 1991 by the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, YEK teaches free enterprise fundamentals to high school students through hands-on experiences. The program gives students the skills and tools to start their own business or enhance their business skills for future career opportunities, as well as encourages them to continue into higher education. Funded completely by private donations, YEK is a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, to donate or to volunteer with YEK, please visit www.yeks.org.