The Entrepreneurial Spirit is Alive in the Youth of South Carolina
June 22, 2015
Mt. Pleasant High School Student wins $3,000 at State Business Plan Competition
CHARLESTON, SC – On June 17th in the heart of downtown Charleston, YEScarolina hosted eighteen high-school students and their teachers from all around the state for the 4th Annual YEScarolina State Business Plan Competition presented by the Mark E. Motley Foundation. It was a spectacular day of competition and networking amongst the students and local business leaders. Upon leaving the College of Charleston School of Business that evening, the news broke of the horrific tragedy that happened just blocks away in the Holy City. YEScarolina is a force for good, and a pillar of strength during this difficult time. YEScarolina contributes to building people up, expanding minds, creating economic opportunity, and encouraging diversity. The hard work will continue in rebuilding our community and YEScarolina will continue to inspire young people and teach them how to be successful.
Success is what the students achieved at the State competition! Connor Simonson, a senior at Wando High School, won first place and the $3,000 seed money for his innovative and creative business idea, Deep Fried Dyes. Connor moved to Mt. Pleasant, SC from Seattle, WA just one year ago and his enthusiasm for lacrosse followed him. His business provides lacrosse players with professional string and dye jobs. Since fourth grade Connor has been playing lacrosse and his passion for the sport is evident in his business plan presentation and daily life. Next up, Connor will compete against the top forty students from around the country at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship’s National Challenge in October in New York City for a chance to win $25,000!
Second place was awarded to Caleb Milligan, a rising junior at West Ashley High School, for his business Caleb Alexander: The New Generation of Magic. Caleb impressed the judges by starting his introduction and pitch by pulling a dove out of the silk in his pocket. Caleb’s passion for magic started when he was just three years old. In addition to being an entertainer, he has developed a brand and will be selling his magic kits and wands in all WonderWorks stores! The magician pulled it off and walked away with $2,000 and an invitation to compete at the NFTE National Competition in NYC.
Sophomore Nick Greek of Fort Mill High School won third place and seed money of $1,000 for his business World Famous Golf. Nick trailered one of his high quality golf carts from Fort Mill to Charleston to display at the competition. He strives to produce the highest quality golf carts in the Southeast, while staying within the customer’s budget and providing customization.
“It is pretty amazing to sit in front of a group of young entrepreneurs and hear the impact YEScarolina has had on their lives. I know that over 15,000 students have written a business plan in SC because of our program, but also 15,000 lives have changed for the better. I promise to continue to lift up our youth, teach them the necessary skills to succeed, and help them grow into respected professionals in our community,” assured YEScarolina Founder and President, Jimmy Bailey.
About YEScarolina
YEScarolina, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is the only organization in the state of South Carolina dedicated to teaching youth the principles of entrepreneurship and free enterprise. YEScarolina has helped thousands of young people from communities statewide build business skills and unlock their entrepreneurial creativity. To date, YEScarolina has trained and certified over 800 South Carolina teachers, free of charge, on the subject of entrepreneurship. These educators in turn have touched and inspired thousands of young South Carolinians with a thirst for entrepreneurship. Contact Harriett Lee for more information [email protected] or 843-556-1909.
