VALDOSTA — Classes for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy return Tuesday, Jan. 8.

The class continues its weekly meetings scheduled for three hours after school, when they learn how to properly pitch their business ideas and launch a real business or social movement, according to chamber officials.

During the winter break, many students chose to prioritize their time and work on completing their business plans as true entrepreneurs, they said.

“While you may have increased flexibility regarding time as an entrepreneur, it is equally important to not let time get away by not capitalizing on opportunities to execute on your business ideas and plans. There is no holiday for execution as an entrepreneur,” said H. DeWayne Johnson, YEA! program director.

Emma Micklon, a Pine Grove Middle School seventh grader and YEA! student, heeded those words and chose to meet personally with Amanda Johnson, YEA program manager and instructor, on the morning of Christmas Eve. During the meeting, Johnson and Micklon made progress on her business plan for her Pet Lap Pad idea, chamber officials said.

“It was a big help for Mrs. Amanda to help me understand the business plan,” Micklon said. “She helped me with the questions that I wouldn’t have understood by myself.”

YEA! includes access to valuable experts such as attorneys, accountants, business mentors and graphic designers; plus, an audience with investors for earning start-up funds. Students will also have the opportunity to win college scholarships.

Emma’s mother, Adrea Micklon, who is a local educator at S.L. Mason Elementary School, expressed her impression of the program’s assets.

“I am amazed at the detail included in the guidebook. It really does walk you through each step of the way to creating your own business,” she said. “I am also very grateful that (the program managers) take the time outside of the scheduled program to help these students achieve success.”

YEA! is a program of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber, providing an opportunity for students in grades six through 12 and for local business leaders interested in supporting the community’s next generation of leaders. The program will soon begin pre-registration for its next class of students for fall 2019. 

More information about YEA and how students can enroll, email johnson.yea@valdostachamber.com; or call (229) 588-0866.