INDIANAPOLIS — Entrepreneurship is based on the belief that any great idea can become a business. There is no age limit to great ideas, and Indiana Black Expo hopes to develop the state's youngest business minds.
IBE's annual Youth Entrepreneur Series hosted dozens of middle school and high school students with business ideas. The two-day event connected them with mentors and provided them with feedback on their business plans.
It concludes with a pitch competition on Wednesday, in which the teenager with the best business plan wins $500.
"We had about 45 to 50 kids in that room," said entrepreneurship mentor India Brown, who runs a consulting agency in Indianapolis. "If they took off, I could see the economy booming for us.
The crowd included Brooklyn Beverly, a 15-year-old Herron High School student who hopes to make a living as an artist.
"I've been drawing ever since I can remember," Beverly said. "I'm actually taking small commissions right now."
Brown believes mentors should encourage the teenagers' creativity as they develop their business skills.
"Everybody thinks it's always about the money, when really it's about what you're thinking about as a business owner," Brown said. "I saw this one little girl who makes crochets and said, 'Do you know what problem you're going to solve? You're going to help these mommies whose babies need personalized clothes to take pictures."
Beverly said she is now more prepared to sell her artwork after the course.
"At first, it's scary because everyone is judging you and all eyes are on you, but after a while, you see that there's more positive reactions than negative," Beverly said.
-
Mini-barn sale on Facebook Marketplace leads to Monroe County woman's arrest
Indiana State Police arrested a Monroe County woman after the theft of a mini-barn. The investigation began after the theft of a mini-barn listed on Facebook Marketplace for $3,500.
ACLU sues Monroe County over ‘unconstitutional’ jail conditions
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana announced Monday it has filed a lawsuit against Monroe County over “unconstitutional” jail conditions
Plans are approved for Indiana's first Buc-ee's travel center
The Advisory Plan Commission of Greenwood approved the plans to use more than 80 acres of agricultural land for Indiana's first Buc-ee's location
Calm and sunny weather continues across Central Indiana
Calm and sunny weather continues across Central Indiana this week but the high heat has returned and will remain for the rest of the week
