Welcome! Adams County Education Consortium Presentation March, 21 st 2007

MISSION: Micro Business Development eliminates barriers to economic independence for community entrepreneurs, both youth and adults, through access to markets, resources and business capital.

PHILOSOPHY: Access to capital alone, is not enough to take an entrepreneur from idea to independence. Financial infusions must be coupled with relevant resources and market opportunities in order for clients to create sustainable, income generating, job producing businesses.

MBD Offers: Access to Markets –Marketplaces, media, networking, education Access to Resources –Technology, consulting, skill development, referrals Access to Capital –Adult and Youth Lending from $10-$60,000

MBD’s Impact: 2,100 jobs created, 5,800 jobs maintained 80% of all loan clients are still in business after 3 years 60% of clients have seen a significant (>20%) increase in personal income 50% of clients receiving public assistance have reduced or terminated their assistance MBD returns $2-$3 to the community for every $1 invested!!!

Adams County SBI Numbers from the last 2 years –Provided training to 339 individuals –24 new businesses –31 new jobs –Approximately $200,000 lent –Classes offered monthly in English and Spanish –Partners Identified

Adams County Resident Art and Framing Services received: –Access to Markets Featured MBD Client Artist Entrepreneurship Row Participant MBD First Friday Marketplace –Access to Resources MBA II Rebecca Rozales Artist Limited Edition Prints Custom Framing 3076 W. 54 th Ave. Denver, CO 80221

Why Youth? Youth in High-risk Situations Typically: Do not have success in traditional educational channels Struggle to find and maintain meaningful employment Have an immediate need for income- generation

YouthWorks allows Colorado’s youth, ages 25 and under, to experience entrepreneurship in a way that makes sense for their lifestyle, providing the time, support, and resources they need to meet their goals.

YouthWorks Provides : 1-on-1 Business Development Services Group-based entrepreneurial trainings Start-up $ to get youth businesses going Expert Advice and Business Mentoring Actual Marketplace Experience

YouthWorks Approach: Step 1: Getting to know the youth – Vision Life Barriers Personal Goals Business Concepts

Step 2: Setting the SMART Goal - –Specific –Measurable –Actionable –Realistic –Timely

Step 3: Planning – Mind Mapping the SMART Goal

The Experiential Learning Cycle Download SummarizePlan Action

Single Mother of a 7 year old daughter Created Ultra Sound Magazine at age 19. Owns and operates Urban Bricks Creative Design, a freelance graphic design company Repaid a previous youth loan Current adult loan client Celia Herrera Age: 25 Owner: Urban Bricks Creative Design

Owns and operates Home-based Recording Studio Attends Community College of Denver Works a job between hours a week Utilized Individual Development Account to access equipment for business launch Terry Smith Age: 18 Owner: T.Smith Productions

James Smith Age: 17 Owner: B-loon’s Army Owns and operates mobile entertainment business Full-time high school student Projecting $40,000+ in sales for 2007 Launched business at age 11 Received $1,500 loan in 2006 for business insurance Repaid 2 previous youth loans

Session Summary: Business owners of all ages need access to business capital AND resources such as relevant training, expert advice, and market opportunities Youth microenterprise development programs must be flexible and adaptable to meet the varied needs and education levels of individual clients Curriculum must engage the ideas and talents of young people and be action-driven Learning is not enough. The key is to get youth to apply the learning Opportunity, not charity!

Questions, Concerns, Comments