What do you get when you fill a room full of young, aspiring entrepreneurs and a group of mentors that believe in them? Junior Achievement’s E2: Entrepreneurship and Empowerment for young women.
This is the third annual JA E2 event, and each one gets better and better. We are always surprised by the talent and ingenuity that these students have. This year we heard business pitches that ranged from ideas like banking and money on demand, to emergency relief teams and sustainable, up-cycled clothing lines. Prior to Junior Achievement E2 students go through JA It’s My Business where they dream up an idea and take it from the drawing board to pitch presentation with the help of classroom volunteers. On the day of JA E2 those students bring their ideas to work with mentors to help refine the idea and perfect their pitch presentation.
My mind is blown! I know my girls are capable of anything. From day one six weeks ago to today I have seen such a transformation, and I am so impressed with what these girls have done through this program.
-Stephanie Matula, Teacher, Bertha Sadler Means YWLA
This year we had a unique set up when students from Bertha Sadler Means YWLA and LBJ Early College High School attended. Throughout the day all of the girls worked with adult mentors, and the high school students had the opportunity to peer mentor 8th graders who will be on campus next year. After attending JA E2 the Ladies of Distinction from LBJ ECHS will turn their business idea into a reality through the JA Company Program. Today provided a unique opportunity for students to explore their entrepreneurial spirit and see down the road where it will take them.
We could not put on events like E2 without the support of our sponsors. Thank you to FactSet for providing the funding to make JA E2 happen and spending the day with us as mentors and judges.
We also want to thank Accenture for sponsoring the JA It’s My Business program that these girls worked on for 6 weeks prior to this event, and Meet at Relay for providing the space for this event. Thank you to all of our mentors and pitch judges for spending this rainy Friday with us and proving that #OpportunityisforEveryone.
Thank you to our In-Kind donors - Alamo Draft House, H-E-B, P-Terry’s, Highland Lanes, Southside Flying Pizza and Birds Barbershop!
