Entrepreneurship is arguably the crux of wealth-building, but too often, particularly in the black community, it’s not being discussed. A major complaint among many college graduates and entry-level professionals is that we’re a generation that has been conditioned and trained to be employees instead of business-savvy professionals, with our success and career trajectories in the hands of the existing powers-that-be. Now more than ever, everyone is trying to #BossUp, and according to some, if you have a 9-to-5, you may as well be calling your boss “daddy.†But entrepreneurship is about more than just being the boss of something; it’s also about being able to see yourself as a business, whether you’re running a company or helping someone else run theirs. It’s never too early to instill an entrepreneurial spirit, and  coaching youth on the basics can have a profound impact on the way they approach their career goals–it may even set them on a path of business ownership. Black Enterprise’s former youth entrepreneurial training programs Kidpreneurs/Teenpreneurs did just that. Running concurrently with the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit, the programs were designed to teach participants the basics of business ownership while encouraging saving and investing. Attendees learned how to develop an idea into a business plan, set and achieve goals, advance leadership skills, make the most of networking, and market their mock businesses. Here are six former Kidpreneurs/Teenpreneurs on their experiences in the program and how it impacted their current endeavors.
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Jaren E. Kelly
After founding his own lawn-care service and clothing line in 2000 at the age of 12, Jaren E. Kelly attended the Teenpreneur program from 2003 to 2008. He is now in law school at North Carolina Central, entering into his final year with plans to pursue criminal law and later join the military JAG program to eventually become a federal prosecutor. Kelly says that the most important lessons he received from the Teenpreneur program was “understanding the importance of building a brand,†as well as learning to take advantage of business opportunities. “Never just limit yourself to one thing, look for new opportunities to explore and take advantage of,†Kelly adds. “Be marketable and distinguishable from those around you.†Kelly also believes that his background and experience in entrepreneurship have motivated and prepared him for the rigorous journey toward his career in law, noting parallels in the work it takes to succeed. “If you have a dream or passion, go after it wholeheartedly whether it is owning and operating a business or serving your community,” he explains. “Not everyone is going to believe in your dreams or passions; there are going to be hard times, but persistence is the key.”
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Jason Acquaye
Jason Acquaye attended both the Kidpreneur and Teenpreneur programs from 1995 through 2001, and went on to study business administration at Wilkes University. Currently, he is in charge of branding and marketing for up-and-coming artist King Saladeen, who is making huge waves in the art world. Through a partnership with Precision Concierge, Saladeen has done collaborations with several brands, including Jordan, Art Basel, Lamborghini, Hermes, and Moet Hennessy/Louis Vuitton. Acquaye met Saladeen through a mutual friend and was so impressed with the artist that he decided to pursue a partnership. “It all began with networking, because I had something to offer,” he explains. “I realized he [Saladeen] had a talent that the world needed to see, I was gonna do anything in my power to make that happen.” Acquaye was heavily affected by his experiences in the Kidpreneur/Teenpreneur programs, saying that they “are largely responsible for who he is today,†and influenced the way he navigates his current position, particularly the importance of networking and recognizing your skill set. The professionals who lead the workshops were also a huge inspiration for Acquaye: “I still remember who taught those classes and their decision to go against the grain and become entrepreneurs.â€
Brandon L. Griffin
By the time Brandon L. Griffin first attended the Teenpreneur program in 2004, he was already an entrepreneur in in his own right. In addition to creating a website design service at the age of 10, he started a second business venture, FyeBye–For Young Entrepreneurs, By Young Entrepreneurs–an online and print publication dedicated to encouraging youth to pursue entrepreneurship, which reached a national circulation of 10,000 copies with the support of corporate partners Comcast and Wendy’s. By 2007, Griffin went from Teenpreneur conference attendee to teacher and team leader, passing on his expertise to his peers. Griffin is now a managing partner and COO of SMDG L.L.C. (Social Media Development Group), a social media marketing firm he co-founded in 2012. Even as a seasoned entrepreneur, Griffin is grateful for the opportunities afforded and lessons learned during his time attending and teaching the Teenpreneur program. “Exposure to BE 100s [companies] provided me with a unique set of role models and a different definition for success than what most inner-city students are familiar with,†he says, also adding that the opportunity “reinforced his entrepreneurial spirit†and “prompted him to take action on certain business ideas that would ultimately shift the trajectory of his life.†Griffin is passionate about educating youth about entrepreneurship, noting that “although owning a business is not for everyone, everyone can benefit from thinking like an entrepreneur.â€
Ayanna Sinclair
Ayanna Sinclair attended the Teenpreneurs conference in 2007 at 14 years old, and credits the experience with changing the course of her life by exposing her to the world of entrepreneurship in the African American community. “While at the program I was able to learn at a young age that being black and influential in the business realm is something that is attainable,†Sinclair says, adding that the program gave her the bug to “aspire to entrepreneurship.†Not only did the program inspire her to
attend an historically black college and university, it also influenced her decision to study business; Sinclair graduated from Howard University’s School of Business in 2014, receiving her BBA with a concentration in marketing.  Sinclair currently operates social media pages for entertainment entities, including KarenCivil.com, LiveCivil.com, and singer/songwriter Kendra Foster of D’Angelo & The Vanguard, as well as manages artists, including fellow Teenpreneur alum David “E.Nigma†Edmond, whom she met at the conference. Eventually, she plans to incorporate her own management and consulting firm. Sinclair believes that understanding business and entrepreneurship is the key to success, noting that having “a business mindset is a great foundation to have that can be used across all industries and career paths.â€Mo Brown
With career aspirations to grace the stage as a professional dancer, Mo Brown attended the Teenpreneurs conference with an appreciation for the experience, but no real grasp on how it was important to her ultimate goals–until she began to see her artistry as a business vehicle.  “At the time I attended the program, I was young so I didn’t understand the great qualities that the program had to offer until I myself became an entrepreneur.†When the recession hit in 2008, Broadway shows closed down and there was a lack of opportunities for actors. This reality opened the door to entrepreneurship for Brown, who found a need and decided to fill it. Already a successful multimedia entertainer in her own right, Brown founded Suga Productions, providing film and video production services, as well as producing her own films. “I wanted to create the opportunities for actors and people in the entertainment industry to continue working. Teenpreneur  showed me how to create a business plan, have a mission, and budget, while explaining how the world is a supply and demand driven. I didn’t realize [I retained] any of this until after I started gaining momentum with my business.†Through Suga Productions, Brown has found success with the award-winning short film Tears of A Phoenix
, while consistently working as a host, voice over artist, and actress. Having the tools gained from the Teenpreneur program also gave Brown the confidence to create a vision and work hard to pursue it: “I can be an African American woman that has her own and is respected for it. I can be in front of the camera and behind it, sit in business meetings and get the deals, and do it well.â€Adrienne Acquaye
Adrienne Acquaye was one of the first Teenpreneurs, having attended from its inception in 1995 until 1999 when she aged out of the program. Although she was one of the older attendees, Acquaye remembers being inspired by the young entrepreneurs she encountered through the program. “We met entrepreneurs as young as 10; I learned that you can do anything you put your mind to,” she remarks, while also emphasizing the importance of community in supporting young entrepreneurs. “Although college is great, nobody should feel like they have to wait on a degree to start a business,” she adds, noting that young entrepreneurs were great examples of how motivation and drive can be a force for success at any age. Currently, Acquaye is the office manager and visual communication consultant at Fastsigns, which is family-owned, and is also radio personality Miss A on The Situation Room radio show on vibeslinkfm.com. As she focuses on building her brand in the entertainment industry with aspirations of owning an online radio station, Acquaye is also working on her first book based on her blog “30 On A Journey,” chronicling her seven month journey visiting family and discovering her heritage in Ghana.