THATCHER — Sadie Wenham said she plans to do the responsible thing and put her newfound money into savings for college.
The local high schooler has $1,000 to add to her college fund after being judged as having the best presentation during the Small Business Development Center’s Youth Entrepreneur Seminar (YES) June 30 through July 3.
Wenham’s business pitch was for CJ’s Custom Journals and Planners, and it was her second time through the program, having participated last year when it was known as YEET.
“I think I, kind of, was paying more attention this time; I was more open to understanding everything,” Wenham said. “Last time, I think I was more like this was something to pass the summer.”
Second place and $500 went to Eliana Raley, who pitched a shoe and clothing customizing service called Custom Kickz; and third place and $250 was awarded to Rachel Hansen, whose business idea was Fabric by Numbers, which recycles old clothing and fabric into art projects.
Each day, SBDC Business Analyst Torey Cranford took the teens through a series of exercises, designed to familiarize them with the needs and goals associated with small business ownership.
On the final day, the teens put together a video pitch for a product or service, which was judged by an independent group in the afternoon, and showed to parents in the early evening.
There were eight participants and each received a gift.
YES was put on by the SBDC in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, and sponsored by the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties.
– David Bell Photo/ Gila Valley Central
