n apa Valley College recently hosted a Youth Entrepreneurial Business Boot Camp for students, ages 14 to 27. It was intense, and NEVER boring.

Presented by advisors from the Small Business Development Center at Napa Valley College, commit-ted campers learned business financials, marketing and operations, at warp speed. They covered the “Four P’s” of marketing: product, price, place and promotion. They discussed “socialnomics,” went on fieldtrips, heard from professional business advisors and even from youths

who own successful businesses.

Students worked on their busi-ness plans and, at the end of camp, each one presented a PowerPoint to fellow campers-

In one short week. Time management was key. Time on the stage was a challenge.

concepts on savingCarson Heywood had an entrepreneurial spirit from day one and babysat for kids in his neighborhood. One day he realized a real need for sports training for kids. So, last summer, he and his buddy started the St. Helena

Youth Sports Camp. Resourcefully, they got a list of parents, developed a sports program, and set up a sched-ule. This summer they will expand to offer two weeks of sports’ camp, followed by parent surveys, to improve their customer service. Carson said St. Helena business owner, Joel Gott was his business mentor, and taught him “concepts on saving.”

planning and purposeDavid Thoits comes from a musical family and plays violin in the Napa Valley Youth

Symphony. “My grandfather gave me my first violin,” he said proudly. Because he loves music, David wrote a business plan to open a recording studio with low priced services, targeted for youth. In camp, David researched the costs of digital sound equipment, and presented his financial spreadsheet, including expenses and projected salaries.

By Carolynne Gamble

David Thoits researches recording studio business. He presents plan to fellow campers.

Last summer, Carson Heywood opened St. Helena Youth Sports Camp. He presented Goals and Objectives in PowerPoint presentation

Youth Entrepreneurial Business bootcamp

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discipline applies all your lifeNapa High School student, Hortencia Arestegui, loves sushi and plans to open a restaurant called, “Sushi Tango.” She came to camp to explore how restaurants work.

“Now, looking back on this week in business camp, I am amazed,” said Hortencia.

“I had no idea that I would like it this much! The tools you learn and the discipline will apply all your life,” she exclaimed.

serious and successfulTwin brothers, John and James Tanner, saw a need in their community and opened a business called TNTskateboardlesson.com. They have their business

The competition is designed for high school and college students who want to explore the word of business. Ages 14 to 27 qualify. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top business plans. Students may receive coaching from business advisors from the Small Business Development Center.

“Programs like YEP not only strengthen the economy, they cultivate structure, confidence and innovation at an early age,” said last year’s judge, Jake Fazio, with Petaluma Poultry and Coleman Natural Foods.

at the Napa Valley College • www.facebook.com/NVCYEP or www.nvcyep.orgSAT., DECEMBER 14 • 8 AM TO 3 PM

Hortencia Arestegui writes business plan for Sushi Tango restaurant. Sushi Tango Logo design and Objectives PowerPoint presentation

business plan competition

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James and John Tanner who wrote a business plan on TNTskateboardlesson.com. Their totally serious “To Do” list.

permit and they defined their roles as “partners.” They are dedicated, serious, successful, young entrepreneurs, following their passion.

brought to you by . . .The Youth Entrepreneur Business Boot Camp was offered through the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) at Napa Valley College, and provided through a grant from the NVC Chancellor’s Office and the Economic Workforce Development Program.

yep business boot camp instructorsInstructors were Heather Piazza, Adjunct Instructor and Business Advisor at NVC Small Business Development Center; Mike Cromwell, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Instructor, Vintage High School; and Charlie Monahan, Program Coordinator, Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Napa Valley College.

For more information, contact BEC at 707-256-7250 or visit www.becatnvc.com and click “Youth Entrepreneurs.” You may also like their page on Facebook: www.fb.com/NVCYEP.

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