The 7th-annual Montgomery County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, hosted by Fab Lab ICC at Independence Community College, concluded on Friday afternoon. The event boasted 26 registered contestants from three counties, including 6th through 12th graders from area public and private schools. The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge showcases student-created and student-owned businesses of every kind. In past editions of the competition, winning businesses have included lawn care, catering, and tee shirt printing. This year’s first prize of $1000 was awarded to Sweet Salvation, owned by Alima Rodriguez of Cherryvale High School. Second prize of $750 was awarded to Crown Detailers, owned by Alek Sierman and Stetson Schafer of Cherryvale High School. Third prize of $500 was awarded to Super Yard Bros. Creations, owned by Tysen Pierce of Neodesha Middle School. The event winner, Ms. Rodriguez, has secured a berth at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge, scheduled for 4/20/2023.
Event director and Lab Manager of Fab Lab ICC, Tim Haynes, had this to say about the event; “We always love hosting this event to showcase the young entrepreneurs across our region. Every year they impress and inspire us with their passion, creativity, and their motivation to succeed. These young people have a bright future and we are humbled to be a small part of their story. We have offered a six-month free membership to Fab Lab ICC for all contestants, so that we can help them grow their business using our many tools and machines. Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses is a core focus of our mission, and it’s what we love to do.”
The Montgomery County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge series, sponsored by Network Kansas, Kansas State University College of Business, and the Kansas Masons. Local event sponsors include Independence Community College, Fab Lab ICC, and the Innovative Business Resource Center.