Youth Entrepreneurship Session 4 September 14, 2009

Today’s Session Why Youth? What Youth Want? Engagement First! Youth Attraction Second! Youth “E” Strategies Third! Stories from the Field

Youth Impact…

Youth – Your Secret Weapon Change is hard for most rural communities. In this culture entrepreneurship can be challenging. But in our rural culture youth enjoy a remarkable freedom. They can open the door within our communities to allow an entrepreneurial culture to root and grow.

Youth Are Critical to Rural Vitality! 3:1 positive impact upon population Educated Workforce Major Consumers New Energy & Skills Retention of Generational Wealth Future Community Entrepreneurs

The Big Picture…

What Youth Want? We can not assume we know what our youth really want from us or our communities unless we engage in a dialogue where this understanding can emerge and be clarified. Craig Schroeder – Youth Director RUPPI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship

But, What Are Youth Saying? I’m waiting to graduate, then I will… Other than sports, we get negative attention. Adults seem desperate to keep us here. Why is it adults always want to build a new community building? We’d like a theater, or… I would like to take an entrepreneurship class. We want to help pick the color! If there was a good job here, I’d come back.’

Rural Kansas Plan to Attend College Picture Living in Home Town Want to Own Business Own Business Now Atwood 85%52%37%15% Onaga 89%48%35%16% Sedan- Cedar Vale 74%47%44%19% Overall N=6,059 86%51%44%14%

Holt County, Nebraska Plan to Attend College Desire to Return Home Want to Own Business Own Business Now Atkinson Pop. 1,380 96%66%57%14% O’Neil Pop. 3,852 98%55%64%12% Stuart Pop %66%60%14%

Make youth a priority... Engage them Really listen to them Participate in their activities – Seek out youth with entrepreneurial ideas Ask them about plans after graduation Demonstrate interest - Support their ideas Find out what they need to be successful

Support youth programs Job shadowing and internships Scholarships and apprenticeships Education on personal finance Peer networks and adult mentors Leadership skill building for youth

Develop economic and educational opportunities Generational business transfers Micro-lending fund; Grant making by youth Entrepreneurship courses Business incubator and support services Youth council Community leadership positions Link aspirations to opportunities

Model service and pride in your community Demonstrate your heart for community service & invite youth to serve with you Recognize youth already serving in your community Lead community youth groups Be a youth mentor in your community

Promote positive attitudes and conversations Change your dinner conversations Promote your community’s strengths Be honest about realities Explore how youth could make a difference Explore career alternatives to being an employee

How do communities involve youth? Do to YouthDo for YouthDo with Youth Skateboard Zoning Trash Cleanup Focus on Stars and Ignore Other Youth Teen Center College Scholarships Tell Youth the Right Way to Do Things Youth Events Decision Making Listen and Support Youth Discovery

Building a Youth Engagement System © Positive Community Attitude and Support of Youth Quality Economic Opportunities & Education Heart for Service and Pride in Community by Youth

First: Set A Goal! Youth Attraction Making your community a more attractive choice for young people!

Youth Attraction EngagementAttractionEntrepreneursRenewal 19

Youth Entrepreneurship Strategies

Youth Centered Entrepreneurial Development System

Identifying E-Youth May not immediately come to mind Can be introverted to very engaging Creative and enjoy experimenting Find them in the workshop or craft room May not be high academic achievers Often have one or more mini-businesses May talk about markets more than sports e They are wired differently

Consideration… Youth EDS Area EDS

Consideration… Youth Safety/Well Being Youth with Youth Youth with Adults Youth on the Move

Consideration…Youth Most are Aspiring & Startups

Aspiring and Startups Characteristics: Motivated to Change Life An Idea (exploring an) Unsure, Afraid Secretative Don’t Know How to Proceed Needs & Wants: Moral Support Ideal Processing Self-Awareness Risk Assessment Framework for Going Forward  Good Personal Choice  Viable Concept Stories: Lilly Warren Cody Foster Shirley Williams Rah Trost Brenda Emery Strategies: REAP – NE Sirolli – KS WV Options – WV NC Real Enterprises – NC Shenandoah, IA Best Practices: Listener Coach or Facilitator Sorting Out Framework Business Planning Eship Course Feasibility Study Counselin g Why? Moral Support Opportunity Equity Diversity Pipe Line Creativity

Elements of a Youth EDS Building Blocks

Consideration… Three Journeys PersonalKnowledgeAction Orientation Preferences Goals Realities Maturity Management Finance Production Action Learning Success & Failure Evolutionary Success

A Progression Idea Generation Community Needs Business Planning Businesses Exposure Feasibility Competition Business Games Financial Concepts Financial Literacy KElementaryMiddleHigh School

Consideration… Think About This Experiential Learners Entrepreneurship Connection

Consideration… Importance of Place Rural Life Preference & Choice Entrepreneurship as a Career Choice

Stories…

Message: There are no limits!

Welcome Back Home Exercise

Ord’s Young Entrepreneur Fair The Vision: 100’s of Young Entrepreneurs! Nancy Glaubke Business Development Coordinator

First E Class…

The Fair…

McCook, Nebraska Area Trade Center 9,000 Residents Very Rural Losing Population Loss of Young People The Flip Side of the Brain Drain

McCook, Nebraska

Brookfield, Missouri

Brookfield, Missouri Youth Entrepreneurship Summit

Resources For Communities

4-H Entrepreneurship Investigation 4h.unl.edu/esi

Local Resources: Teachers and School Organizations Youth Programs and Leaders Young Adults Successful Entrepreneurs Parents and Grandparents Service Providers Volunteers

A Final Thought… Cycle of Progress

Valley County, Nebraska