The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center conducted the 2023 Youth Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA) on June 12-16. YEA is a free one-week academic camp sponsored by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation, and is offered annually to all North Iowa high school students interested in entrepreneurship. Each participant receives a $500 NIACC scholarship sponsored by John Pappajohn. This year’s academy included 12 high school students.

The participants and schools represented were:

Josh Hanson, Newman Catholic Schools

Brian Lollar, Clear Lake High School

Luis Morales-Calles, Belmond-Klemme High School

Eric Pals, Mason City High School

Eastyn Petersen, West Fork High School

Fernanda Ramirez, West Fork High School

Daytona Randall, Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock CSD

Fabian Rivera, Belmond-Klemme High School

Addyson Runde, Northwood-Kensett High School

Summer Schaer, Mason City Alternative High School

Blake Vorhes, West Fork High School

Avery Williams, Home School

Throughout the week-long camp, the aspiring entrepreneurs worked diligently to develop a business model canvas. Students had the opportunity to network with local entrepreneurs, develop leadership skills, and gain fundamental skills required when starting a business. On Tuesday, June 20, the students pitched their business ideas by submitting an executive summary that included a company description, financial plans, and business model key measures that included startup costs and sales projections. The students competed against their peers for a total of $2,600 in cash prizes.

The Academy’s director and mentor was Kelley O’Rourke, School Partnership Entrepreneurial Coordinator at the Pappajohn Center. The facilitator was Candi Karsjens, Pappajohn Center Director, and Ashley Page, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs & Client Success at the Pappajohn Center.

Guest speakers for the week were Joyce Martin, Pappajohn Center Marketing and Community Relations Manager; Jayson Ryner, founder of ReEnvision Ag; Brad and Angie Barber, Cabin Coffee; Stacy Doughan, President & CEO of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

The students presented their businesses to a panel of three judges: Hunter Callanan; Beth Bilyeu, Forest City Economic Development Corporation; and Brook Boehmler, North Iowa Area SBDC. The judges chose three businesses to win the top prizes, with two honorable mention prizes of $250, and six honorable mention prizes of $100. The winners were:

Top Prizes:

First Place: Fernanda Ramirez, Garden Goodness – $600 prize

Second Place: Eric Pals, Pals Lawn Care – $500 prize

Third Place: Avery Williams, More Mochi – $400 prize

Honorable Mentions:

Josh Hanson, Hanson Property Management – $250 prize

Addyson Runde, Shade Tree Job Shadowing – $250 prize

Brian Lollar, All Star Cleaning – $100 prize

Eastyn Petersen, Petersen Produce – $100 prize

Daytona Randall, Bow Wow Clips – $100 prize

Fabian Rivera & Luis Calles, Quick Cast – $100 prize

Summer Schaer, SpaLuxe – $100 prize

Blake Vorhes, BV Farms – $100 prize

The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is the expert in rural business innovation and success. In partnership with North Iowa’s Small Business Development Center, together we provide tools, support, and resources to Iowa’s entrepreneurs. We counsel both new and existing local businesses, from Main Street to industry leaders. We’re growing Iowa’s entrepreneurial culture through grade school initiatives, college and community programs, and business training and development. Contact the NIACC Pappajohn Center at 641-422-4111 or pappajohn@niacc.edu.

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Ref # 6923

Back row from left: Eric Pals, Summer Schaer, Avery Williams, Daytona Randall, Addyson Runde, Blake Vorhes.
Front row from left: Josh Hanson, Brian Lollar, Fabian Rivera, Luis Morales-Calles, Fernanda Ramirez, Eastyn Petersen.