Beaver County Youth Named Finalists in National Competition

Two Local Young Entrepreneurs Named Finalists in National Competition in NYC

Local young entrepreneurs Jesse and Joziah Council were selected as runner-ups in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship’s 2012 National Entrepreneurship Challenge last Thursday, October 11, in New York City.

These Beaver County-based students participate in programs conducted through the Beaver County Youth Entrepreneurship Collaborative, a partnership between the Franklin Center of Beaver County, the Community College of Beaver County, and Entrepreneuring Youth.  The Collaborative’s mission is to see that every young Beaver County resident has access to entrepreneurship education and support for a business enterprise of their own creation.

Brothers Jesse and Joziah, ages 15 and 14 respectively from Midland, Pa., had recently won first place in the 2012 George W. Tippins Business Plan Competition, thereby earning their chance to compete with 35 other young entrepreneurs from across the U.S.  The Councils had also recently attended AOL and TechCrunch’s Disrupt Conference in San Francisco by invitation of the conference organizers, and were also named one of NFTE’s 35 Global Youth Entrepreneurs of the Year in April of 2012.

The Councils’ company produces “J&J’s Soothing Cream,” an all-natural, herbal cream designed to temporarily soothe minor aches and pains from arthritis, sprains and strains.  Composed of ten different herbs, beeswax, and essential oils, their product is easily applied to the affected area with no oily residue or medicinal odor.  The Councils are currently experimenting with additional products to add to their product line.

The Collaborative’s other entrant in the National Entrepreneurship Challenge, Ms. Lisa Huff of Ambridge, Pa, placed in the quarter final round.  Ms. Huff’s business, Decadent Delights, is a fledgling catering company which provides Oreo bon bons to businesses and other clients.  Ms. Huff placed second in the George W. Tippins Regional Business Plan Competition in June, and has appeared on the Sunday Business Page with John Delano and has been interviewed on Rob Pratt’s Sunday morning program on KDKA Radio.

Mrs. Sandra Curry, Education Director for the Franklin Center of Beaver County and program director for entrepreneurship, stated: “We are so proud of the accomplishments of these three young people.  They embody our Collaborative’s mission to provide entrepreneurship education to every student.  They distinguished themselves in New York among 35 other competitors from around the nation and were excellent representatives for our County and our region.”

The Collaborative’s work is supported by the Heinz Endowments, Beaver County Children and Youth, and by an Anonymous donor.  For more information about the Collaborative, contact Sandra Curry at 724-378-2882 or at scurry@franklincenterorg.