Young Entrepreneurs Academy Receives $10,000 from DTE Energy

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a new initiative of the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, received a $10,000 donation from DTE Energy to enable 24 students to create and launch their own businesses.

YEA! is offered at the University of Michigan-Dearborn on Tuesday evenings from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Students in grades six through 12 go through the process of starting and running a business. Students work closely with local leaders to cultivate and research business ideas, write a business plan, pitch their plan to a panel of investors, obtain funding, develop their brand and participate in a trade show at the end of the year.

“Without major gifts from important local community partners, we would be unable to offer this life-changing program,” said YEA! program manager Peggy Richard. “We are so excited to participate in the national movement of making experiential entrepreneurship education available to youth in our area. This is how, as a society and as a nation, we’re ultimately going to change the world."

Local businesses are excited about the YEA! program's potential.

“One of the most interesting components of the program is the actual behind-the-scenes knowledge the students are given from local business leaders, who were at one time, standing in their shoes,” said Madelyn B. Williams, regional relations manager for DTE Energy.

“The experience is something they will be able to apply to whatever field they choose to enter, thereby giving them the necessary skills to become future leaders of industry.”

Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston said the district is urging other business leaders to become involved with the program and act as mentors to the budding entrepreneurs.

By partnering with YEA!, both large and small companies volunteer their time and services acting as business mentors, field trip hosts, guest lecturers, graphic designers, web developers, attorneys, etc.

When asked why the Dearborn Chamber chose to partner with YEA!, Richard said, “Our chamber has always been committed to improving our local community and preparing our area’s youth to meet the challenges of today’s world, and the YEA! program is in perfect alignment with that mission."

"The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce and the Dearborn/Dearborn Heights school districts are proud to make it possible for middle and high school students in our area to start and launch their own real businesses and experience firsthand that they really can embrace their passion, live their dream and change the world," Richard continued.

The chamber is seeking applications from students interested in applying for the YEA! program beginning in October. Tuition is $395 for the 30-week curriculum. Partial scholarships are available.

Application forms can be found at www.dearbornareachamber.org/education.