Brian Tinsman
Digital Properties Manager
Entrepreneurs face many challenges in starting a business, like developing a product, finding funding and attracting the right team. Imagine also juggling homework, curfews and parental permission slips, and you start to understand the value of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy.
Started in 2016, the program is midway through its second class of middle and high-school students. The unique seven-month program walks students through developing a business idea into a plan, conducting market research, pitching plans to a panel of investors, and launching into legal, fully-formed companies.
The “secret sauce” for this program is the involvement of giants in the Loudoun business community, including Unanet, Telos Corp., REHAU and K2M.
“YEA has been successful here in Loudoun because so many businessmen and women want to help educate our students,” said YEA Program Manager K.C. Repage. “They know that our students are the future and they are building the next generation of businesses in Loudoun.
“Our 50+ volunteers are so passionate about helping our students grow not only their businesses but their knowledge of business.”
YEA took over our @loudounbiz Instagram account between January 30 and February 3 and showcased the program and its generous volunteer mentors from the business community.
Here are posts from the takeover:
If you own a Loudoun County business and are interested in sharing your #LoudounPossible message, please email Brian Tinsman for more information on how to schedule your business.
