Youth Entrepreneurship

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As we prepare for the 2021 school year, the Florida Afterschool Network wants to help support providers with enhancing and/or expanding their existing programs. Please take a moment to complete the brief survey, so we can best gauge how to support you. We look forward to your feedback!

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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 Seminar on Tuesday, August 3. 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!

LEARN MORE

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.