Mikaila Ulmer, CEO and Founder of Me & the Bees Lemonade, a purpose-driven company she founded at just 4 years old with the goal of helping to save honeybees who are facing extinction. What started with a lemonade stand in her front yard has taken her across the globe, placed her on stage with the leaders of Fortune 500 companies, thrown her into the “Shark Tank,” and led her to events at the White House and back. Mikaila also just released a new book this year called Bee Fearless, to help others learn how to start their own business ventures. Visit her website at www.meandthebees.com to learn how purchase her lemonade or book or to sign up for her newsletter to receive ongoing updates.
At Whole Kids Foundation, we’re blown away by the growing number of passionate youth entrepreneurs who are helping to change the way kids eat through cooking, gardening and healthy eating education. Nearly 72% of high school kids say they want to start their own business someday, and many go-getters are starting as early as elementary school! That’s one of the reasons we launched our Young Entrepreneurs Pilot Grant Program.
We recently had the honor of inviting some of the best and brightest young entrepreneurs from across the country to share their insights, advice and experiences with others in our virtual “Dream Like a Teen” Young Entrepreneur Round Table. In this one-hour event, teen speakers from youth-led businesses and programs shared what it takes to start and succeed in business, including critical tips on how to adapt to new challenges and prioritize self-care. Click the video below to watch the full event!
Teenpreneur participants included:
Lauren Martinez, Leader of Culinary Programs at Rebel Ventures. Rebel Ventures is a high-school-student-run nonprofit food enterprise in Philadelphia that focuses on creating affordable, healthy and delicious options for kids in schools and in their communities. Lauren and her team are the makers of Rebel Crumbles, an apple-filled whole-grain breakfast cake that is sold throughout Philadelphia schools and the community. Through her role as leader of culinary programs, Lauren also leads virtual cooking classes for the community. Rebel Ventures is also one of the recipients of Whole Kids Foundation’s Young Entrepreneur Pilot Grant program. To learn more about Rebel Ventures or to sign up for one of Lauren’s upcoming cooking classes, subscribe to their newsletter.
Elicia Powel, Head Baker at Green Garden Bakery in Minneapolis, MN. Green Garden Bakery’s group of young entrepreneurs grows vegetables in their community garden, bakes them into healthy vegetable-based desserts and markets them through sustainable practices. Their creations are sold at farmers’ markets, festivals, co-ops, and other special events. To purchase their products, or stay up to date on the latest happenings, visit www.greengardenbakery.org.
Michael Vang, Youth Leader for Roots for the Home Team. Roots for the Home team is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that employs teens to “find their roots” and hone their leadership skills by developing and selling salads at professional sports venues, including the Minnesota Twins’ stadium at Target Field. As one of the organization’s youth leaders, Michael plays a key role in helping to develop recipes featured on their seasonal menus. To learn more about Roots for the Home Team and learn where you can enjoy their salads, visit: www.rootsforthehometeam.org.
