Brookfield Teen Competing In Statewide 'Shark Tank'-Style Event

BROOKFIELD, WI—Brookfield Central High School junior Carter VanHaren will showcase his sign business in front of a panel of celebrity judges to compete for a $10,000 scholarship.

It’s part of a "Shark Tank"-style competition hosted by Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and sponsored by Ernst & Young at Majic Productions in Waukesha on January 28, according to a news release.

VanHaren has built a sign-making business called American Maker. He identified an opportunity for professional signs when he noticed other secondhand shoe sellers using crumpled up pieces of paper with drawn-on logos next to shoe merchandise, the release said.

VanHaren built his own CNC machine, taught himself how to use it, and began making signs for himself and other shoe sellers. With the new income he made creating signs, he was able to quit his other part-time job and is branching out into making signs for other types of business endeavors.

VanHaren will present his business and state his case for earning the scholarship to the judges. The judges will critique all of the contestants’ businesses, ask the entrepreneurs questions, and offer valuable feedback.

“Entrepreneurship is one of the core principals of Junior Achievement,” said Michael Frohna, president of Junior Achievement. “Similar to the classroom and community programming Junior Achievement offers, the Young Entrepreneur Live Competition embodies that entrepreneurial spirit in a new generation of American leaders.”

Among dozens of entries from across the state, VanHaren was selected as a finalist for the scholarship based on the following criteria: Charisma/Hustle, Business Success, Growth Potential, and Social Involvement. Other considerations included the entrepreneur’s age when the business was started, special challenges faced, strategic direction, innovation, personal integrity, and leadership.

Finalists competing in the Young Entrepreneur Live Competition:

• Jonah Larson, 13, of La Crosse – Jonah’s Hands
• Carter VanHaren, 17, of Brookfield – American Maker
• Madison Russell, 17, of Shullsburg – Prime Time Performance
• Tessa Gehri, 17, of Wonewoc – T. Gehri Caprine Artificial Insemination Services

The event will be live-streamed and interested viewers can register for to watch.