Students from across the state of Michigan gathered May 13 in downtown Battle Creek to be part of the Ninth Annual Generation E Student Business Showcase. They were able to display and sell products to the public and listen to guest speakers, attend workshops, make presentations to judges, and attend an award celebration.
At the showcase, students must come with an an educator-approved business plan and an operational business. Students sold their products to the public and also were on hand to provide information about the products.
The ninth annual showcase featured student businesses from all over the state – from the Upper Peninsula to Coldwater to Berrien Springs to Detroit.
Judges interviewed students to decide who would receive awards for being the most creative, having the best display, best presentation, best financial plan, best marketing plan, best business plan, most sustainable business model, and for outstanding achievement.
“Youth entrepreneurship begins the pipeline to business development and economic growth in our communities,” says Cheryl Peters, executive director for Generation E Institute.
“In Michigan alone, over 1,225 businesses have been implemented, with many of them sustainable ventures," Peters says. For 2014 through 2015, Generation E Institute will expand youth entrepreneurship in Battle Creek by offering certification training to 20 new sites.
“Providing this training to students in our community will not only enhance the environment of entrepreneurship, but also enable students to operate a business and employ individuals in our community,” say Karl Dehn, President and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited.
Source: Cheryl Peters, Generation E Institute
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.