Get Connected!
Now that the 2021 school year has officially launched, the Florida Afterschool Network is here to support you with successfully incorporating youth entrepreneurship education into your existing programs. Please take a moment to complete the brief survey, so we can best gauge how to assist you with implementing this initiative in your community. We look forward to your feedback and connecting with you soon!
Developing Youth Entrepreneurship
The Florida Afterschool Network launched a new initiative focused on expanding the entrepreneurial mindset of Florida’s youth. This initiative will provide afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs direct access to resources, including evidence-based curricula, training and technical assistance to help students build workforce ready skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. Our goal is to support local efforts to teach students how to recognize opportunities, take risks and innovate in the face of challenges so they are better prepared to participate in the workforce.
Upcoming Event: Youth Entrepreneurship Power Hour Every Second Tuesday at 2:00 pm ET via Zoom. Learn More.
“How we view ourselves and the world around us impacts our ability to dream and achieve. It is time to invest in our youth and start creating changemakers today!”
When afterschool programs focus on fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, youth acquire workforce ready skills that employers and communities need.
COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION
The ability to clearly express ideas to an intended audience, including persuading others to work towards a common goal.
DIVERGENT THINKING
The capacity to apply higher- level, process-oriented thinking, consider an issue from a range of possible perspectives, and use that reasoning to make decisions.
ADAPTABILITY
The ability and willingness to change actions and plans to overcome present and future challenges.
COMFORT WITH RISK
The capacity to move forward with a decision despite inevitable uncertainty and challenges.
MEET TAYLOR THIGPEN
Youth Entrepreneur Spotlight
Taylor Thigpen is a youth entrepreneur, owner of PlantKingusa, and this year’s winner of “The Gator Pit” youth entrepreneurship development and pitch competition. This young gentleman started his entrepreneurial journey last year and recently celebrated his business’s first anniversary. It all started with a vision and today he is proud to provide his community with the healthiest plants at the best prices!
Taylor also serves as a National Hunger Ambassador and advocates for education and food insecurity. Thank you, Taylor, for sharing your passions with all of us! The Florida Afterschool Network is excited to continue watching your journey as you and your business grows and evolves over the years!
THE GATOR PIT
Free program that helps youth 14-18 transform ideas into viable business plans.
FLORIDA 4-H
Elite partner committed to bringing YE education to all communities, especially rural ones.
BE A MENTOR
Interested in serving as a mentor to a budding entrepreneurs? Connect with us!
“If an idea does not appear bizarre, there is no hope for it.”
– Niels Bohr, physicist
Check out a few of our Partners!
We are determined to connect and collaborate with afterschool, summer and expanded learning providers so they can provide quality entrepreneurship programs using evidence-based curricula and tools with youth throughout the state of Florida.
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
VentureLabs
WagiLabs
Young Entrepreneur Institute
Have questions or just want to learn more? Contact Youth Entrepreneurship Specialist, Jennifer Smith, at jsmith@flafterschool.com.
