Inspiring Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

During a Ladies of Distinction Meeting at LBJ ECHS, Sheila Hawkins Bucklew from Hawkins Bucklew Jewelry Designs came to talk with the girls about her entrepreneurial journey and what she has learned along the way. During her JA Launch Lesson Sheila shared how she went from a real estate to a jewelry entrepreneur and how perseverance plus a clear vision along the way helped her achieve her dreams. She encouraged the girls to be confident and determined, and never take their eye off of the vision they have for themselves. Through this session  the girls shared their passions and gifts to see how they align and what they are doing to grow towards their goals.

“Our biggest takeaways from today was- just do it! Stop planning and don’t listen to the self doubt, it will stop you. It doesn’t have to be perfect to get started, do it now! “

Sheila also highlighted how entrepreneurship gives women options to do and be whatever they want, and that there is a community supporting you; “The best thing about entrepreneurship is that we are collaborators, not competitors!” This group of ladies are the next generation of attorneys, doctors, educators, entrepreneurs and leaders in their community. We are so thankful to Sheila Hawkins-Bucklew for spending her time with them today and for the Ladies of Distinction for having a JA Launch Lesson. We can’t wait to see what companies these ladies start!

Spots open for Austin's Park n' Pizza Job Shadow January 28th!

Interested in learning more about the hospitality and entertainment industry?

Join us on January 28th for a Junior Achievement Job Shadow in partnership with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). During this afternoon participants will get a behind the scenes look at how Austin’s Park n’ Pizza operates. Learn the ins and outs of the different aspects of this business, then participate in the working session with members from IAAPA. This is an opportunity to learn this business from the inside out.

Details:

Date: January 28, 2019

Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm

Location: 16231 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, Pflugerville, TX 78660

Participants must be able to provide their own transportation to the venue.

Want to join us? Sign up Here!

Junior Achievement at Texas A&M Central Texas

Thank you to our lunch sponsor H-E-B!

On November 9, 2018 Texas A&M Warriors Accounting Society partnered with Junior Achievement of Central Texas to bring a group of students from the Killeen ISD Career Center on Campus for a day of financial literacy education. During that day over 60 students received exposure to financial literacy education delivered by student volunteers who acted as ambassadors of Texas A&M Central Texas. While on campus students received information about how to plan financially for their future and spent time on a college campus where they received a tour of the facilities, learned about available programs, and gained insight about how to apply to become a student at Texas A&M Central Texas. The group of students from the Warriors Accounting Society to took on a leadership role while guiding students through the JA activities and sharing their personal stories about education and their chosen career path. Thank you to Texas A&M Central Texas, the Warriors Accounting Society and Killeen ISD Career Center for coming together for this event. Because of you Junior Achievement was able to bring financial literacy education to a new group of students who otherwise would not have had access to these programs. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

JA Maker Bowl 2019

Last week, JA Maker Bowl brought together Austin-area businesses and supporters of JA of Central Texas for an afternoon of friendly competition, fun with colleagues and friends as well as the opportunity to raise funds to help bring JA’s programs to more students. Our hats go off to the Westlake Gutter Girls Team and to Bill Taylor for winning the coveted fundraising prizes. Special thanks go to EY for being a Kingpin Sponsor and to MHA Architecture and Agile Assets for their Lane Sponsorships.

A Glimmer of Hope enables JA Start Up Summer Incubator at LBJ High School

The Mess Means We're Working

JA Start Up Summer Incubator keeps students engaged and new ventures emerge. 

During June, JA students worked through their business ventures as part of A Glimmer of Hope Austin's investment in our programs at LBJ High School. Program participants learned the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, worked on new ventures, received mentorship and worked on prototyping new ideas.

AT&T Inspires JA Students this Summer

This week Junior Achievement of Central Texas with African American Youth Harvest Foundation were able to team up to take a group of students to visit AT&T and participate in their Aspire program. This program serves to inspire students to reach their full potential, learn about what it takes in the working world and receive mentorship from AT&T employees. While on site students were able to tour the facility and learn more about all of the jobs that are available, as well as experience the unique and fun culture in the office.

Students were able to shadow different departments throughout the day to experience what a day in the life of an AT&T employee feels like. Human resources pitched in by helping the students craft their resume and shared their inside tips and tricks for job hunting and interviewing.This is a chance for students to see what opportunities lay in their own back yards, and hopefully gain some insight into what it takes to land the job and be a great employee.

JA is so thankful for our partnership with AT&T and that they are so open to share their wonderful office and experience with us. Thank you for helping inspire and build the future of Central Texas.  

Local JA Company is off to Washington DC to Compete at the National Student Leadership Conference

An excited group for a 6am flight to DC

ONZ, a JA Company, from Round Rock High School has been selected as one of 15 teams to compete at the Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS) in Washington, D.C.!

On June 18th, the students traveled to the nation’s capital to compete with teen entrepreneurs from across the United States for the top honor of JA Company of the Year, and college scholarships totaling $35,000.

Companies must demonstrate their business acumen, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking in a competitive environment on a national stage—showcasing their companies to Members of Congress and business leaders. Stay tuned to hear more about their trip and their experience!

Lawrel Andry wins the EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year Scholarship

“Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind growth and positive change, and at EY we believe it is vital to help enable our future generation of innovators,” (Randy Cain, Vice Chair and Southwest Region Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP, and JA USA board member.)

This year, more than 350 local teens started, capitalized and ran real businesses through the JA Company Program with mentorship from local business leaders. These companies provided services and sold products online, in retail outlets and in their communities. With impressive sales, successful stock offerings to outside investors, invitations to local and national pitch competitions -- and their fair share of mistakes and pivots, these teens learned first hand the incredible hard work and resilience required to be an entrepreneur.

From this group of hundreds of local teen entrepreneurs, Ernst & Young selected Lawrel Andry from Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock ISD as the winner of this years Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. 

Lawrel became an entrepreneur as a high school junior. Through the JA Company Program, she started Raider DuraCables- a company that manufactures and sells high quality phone and electronic cables reinforced to prevent material fatigue. Her company was invited to pitch at the FedEx Junior Business Challenge during Dell MatchPlay. Lawrel led her team’s pitch in front of Andy Roddick, Pat Perez and the founders of William Murray Golf and Lucky Penny. Quickly she realized the competition was fierce and it inspired her to work even harder. DuraCables was invited to pitch at 1 Million Cups- going toe to toe with other startups. Lawrel’s company won the Innovation Award at the Round Rock Entrepreneurship showcase.

JA Board Chair Joe Cestari said, “Lawrel is an entrepreneur who already thinks like an executive. She’s quick on her feet and articulates her vision with confidence and clarity. JA knows investing in people like Lawrel will fuel Austin’s capacity for innovation.”

Lawrel’s message to up and coming entrepreneurs is, “to always persevere, and do it the right way. Remember genuine connections and relationships are your biggest accomplishments so always be kind to others. Be professional and keep high standards for yourself but remember, everyone is human and imperfection is okay. Most importantly, be humble and never...ever attempt to give up learning because it is vital to survival and success.

Congratulations, Lawrel. We applaud your initiative, risk taking and willingness to break the mold. EY and JA are honored to invest in your future!

Round Rock's First JA Entrepreneurship Showcase a Success

Stony Pop from Stony Point High School

Dura Cables from Cedar Ridge High School

Point Attire from Stony Point High School

StickEd from McNeil High School

ONZ from Round Rock High School

On Thursday, April 5th,  JA in partnership with the Round Rock Chamber and Round Rock ISD, co-hosted the first annual RRISD Entrepreneurship Showcase. The showcase featured the five student-led companies that were launched during the 2017-2018 school year and provided an opportunity for students to deliver a final executive summary of their company's performance to their peers and the community.

Prior to the 2017-2018 school year, RRISD high school students had access to only one semester of entrepreneurship education. With an expansion in offerings, high school students now have access two semesters of entrepreneurship education and are able to participate in the JA Company Program that provides them with the skills and tools to launch their own companies.

Through this expansion with Round Rock ISD and a partnership with the Round Rock Chamber Junior Achievement has been able to serve over 100 high school students with entrepreneurship programming. 

Congratulations to our RRISD Entrepreneurship Showcase winners:

• Global Connection Award- Stony Pop from Stony Point High School 
• Innovative Product Award- Dura Cables from Cedar Ridge High School 
• Know Your Market Award- Point Attire from Stony Point High School 
• Outstanding Marketing Award- StickED from McNeil High School 
• Social Impact Award- ONZ from Round Rock High School

Thank you to our Guest Judges:

• Bill Combes, Co-founder and CEO, No Time For Social
•  Jeremy Ransom, Founder and CEO, CTX Capital Group, LLC
• Selicia Sanchez-Adame, Founder and CEO, Think Group Austin

Finally, thank you to our teachers who opened their classrooms and went on this crazy adventure with us. You have been the greatest support system for their students, and volunteers through the ups and downs of running a business. Thank you so much for allowing us to work with you and your students, we cannot say enough about how hard you work and how amazing you are. Thank you to Diane Wedig, Vera Cruz, Tiffanie Harrison and Bob Moliski. 

We also want to take this time to thank our wonderful JA volunteers as well. These community members have volunteered countless hours to deliver the JA Company program to their classes, answer emails, help sort out bank accounts, you name it! They are the best mentors and sounding boards that we could ask for to lead this program. Thank you for all of your dedication and support, without you JA would be nothing. Bill Taylor, Dennis Menendez and Mark Richardson.

EPIC Office Hours for JA Company Program Students at the Capital Factory

Dan Graham of Notley mentoring Carla and Carolina of EHO

Matthew Thomas gives ONZ feedback on their product

Michael Vander Hook learns about these entrepreneurs business ideas

Juan Rodriguez mentors a teen entrepreneur during EPIC office Hours

Kirk Ashy gives his expert advice during EPIC office hours

David Daily shares his experience with young entrepreneurs

Daniel Hernandez talks strategy

Teresa Kuhn gives teen entrepreneurs advice on their business during EPIC office hours

Michelle Houp learns more about these students business ideas

On April 4th Notley, EO of Austin & Capital Factory hosted EPIC Office Hours for local teen entrepreneurs. JA Company Program Students  came to the Capital Factory to discuss their business ideas with entrepreneurs who have built businesses with annual revenue of $1 million or more and/or secured funding of $2 million or more. In addition to networking with mentors & influencers each company had lightning round learning sessions with 15 minutes of high-quality mentorship with some of Austin’s most successful entrepreneurs, top figures, and investors.

Students were able to come with their business idea and product and discuss specific hurdles they were encountering or seek advice on how to run their business. Every company left with a list of useful action items to work on to make their company better and more competitive. 

Thank you to our mentors who took the time to work with this up and coming generation of entrepreneurs:

• Daniel Hernandez- Founder & CEO Palaterra LLC 
• David Daily- Founder & CEO GravLabs  
• Jeremy Giroir- Founder Collective Capital  
• Juan Rodriguez - Owner & VP AV Guys LLC
• Kirk Ashy- Vice President- Employee Benefits, Shepard Walton King Insurance Group
• Matthew Thomas- CEO JP3 Measurement 
• Michael Hook- President Freight Motion 
• Michelle Houp- Founder & CEO Prep U
• Teresa Kuhn- President & CEO Living Wealthy Financial Group

Travis High School hosts IPO Days for their JA Companies

This week on March 28th and 29th there was an under the radar public offering.

Students participating in the JA Company Program at Travis High School hosted their first IPO Days. During their class periods six JA Companies pitched their business to local business leaders in hopes of raising the funding necessary for their products to get off the ground.  This event gave our students the opportunity to interact and communicate with business people from the community, practice their pitch and presentation skills, as well as opens an opportunity to raise capital for their companies.

With a wide array of products, from bracelets and t-shirts to earphone holders and board games, there was a company for every interest. Not only were students given the opportunity to pitch their company to the public, they also received feedback and guidance on some of the aspects of their company that they were having difficulties with. At the end of these two days we are happy to report that all companies have reached their fundraising goal and are ready to take the next step in creating their companies!

FactSet and Financial Literacy at Travis High School

Travis High School students are learning about financial literacy and putting it to use thanks to FactSet's support and volunteers. FactSet employees are teaching students about financial literacy through JA Personal Finance, JA it's My Business, as well as helping mentor them through the financial steps they encounter while running their business through the JA Company program. By working with these student they are helping to build the financial cornerstones that will help them become more financially literate today, and use their know how in their future. 

JA helps students find skills and talents within themselves that they never knew they had. For many students, JA is a life changing experience. It opens their minds to what can be possible in their lives. -Debra McClure, Teacher

Through these programs students immediately see the value in learning things like spending money wisely, budgeting, understanding credit and being a smart consumer because it is applicable to their life outside of school. We thank FactSet for volunteering to teach these students about being financially literate and helping us to empower the future. 

I know that these students learned something that they can use on a daily basis, and I realized that I learned a bit as well. -Bill Finnerty, FactSet Volunteer

JA Companies to Compete in the FedEx Junior Business Challenge

On March 20th, five JA Companies will compete in the FedEx Junior Business Challenge at Dell Match Play. All 5 entrepreneurial teams are a part of the JA Company Program that teaches students how to start and run a business with the guidance of a local entrepreneur.

The FedEx Junior Business Challenge, an extension of the JA Company Program, serves as a platform to provide select JA students the opportunity to showcase their business company concepts at designated PGA TOUR tournaments this season. At the event, JA students will pitch their team’s business concept to a panel of judges consisting of a PGA TOUR player and a variety of local business leaders.  The panel will evaluate each team’s business pitch and select one JA Company from the tournament to move onto the FedEx Junior Business Challenge Finals in September at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta.  The final companies will then compete for the chance to earn a $75,000 donation for their local JA chapter on behalf of FedEx. 

Check out their companies below and wish them luck!

Raider

Dura-Cables

Raider Dura-cables is a JA Company at Cedar Ridge High School. Raider Dura-cables uses a unique process that repairs and prevents material fatigue by reinforcing phone and computer cables before or just after they break.  Our process reinforces your charger and headphone cables at their most vulnerable spots by absorbing and distributing stress.

EHO Inc.

EHO, Inc. is a JA company at Travis Early College High School. EHO, Inc. manufactures cute earphone holder organizers that also double as an adorable keychain. EHO’s goal is to end the problem of tangled ear buds once while also giving back to the community.

Hope Goals

Hope Goals is a JA company at Travis Early College High School. The mission of Hope Goals is to give soccer balls to children around the globe who can’t afford them. Many children in poor countries make soccer balls out of plastic bags and string. Hope Goals wants to help make a difference in the world by providing real soccer balls to these children so that everyone can enjoy the game of Futbol. 

ONZ

ONZ is a JA Company at Round Rock High School. Our vision is to create a thriving clothing line to provide the ability to support forgotten causes. We work to make fashionable and comfortable products while creatively impacting the world.

Wishirts

 Wishirts is a JA company at Travis Early College High School. The mission of Wishirts is to create t-shirts that people can wish on to make the world a better place.

Local Students Spend the Day at AT&T for JA Job Shadow

Whats better than a field trip the day before spring break?

On March 9th students from Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy got to spend the day at AT&T Aspire learning about career readiness while gaining mentorship from AT&T employees. This program serves to open the door to students and show them the possibilities that surround them and the steps they can begin taking to achieve their dreams. 

Throughout the course of the day the girls talked with employees and learned about the different jobs and responsibilities at AT&T. They learned about cover letters and began building their perfect resume, and got tips on interviewing skills. In addition they worked together as a team to practice their persuasion and  sales techniques. 

I learned that a first impression can form within 2 seconds and that your resume can make a good impression for you and really affect if you get the job or not. My favorite part of today was visiting AT&T and seeing how they do things here and what a community they have at their office. -Naya

We want to thank AT&T for hosting our JA Job Shadow, supporting our students and helping them step out of their comfort zones to learn new skills. 

FactSet and JA Central Texas Team Up

FactSet and Junior Achievement will bring more financial literacy programs to local students in Austin.

Through their new national partnership, FactSet, a financial data and software company, will  use their expertise to help local students learn more about owning their future. FactSet will deliver programs to promote financial literacy among students in Austin that align with their corporate goals and footprint. 

With JA alumni at the helm nationally and locally, they are getting to give back to an organization that they learned from and see what it is like in front of the class. JA of Central Texas is excited for this new partnership and the opportunity to reach even more students in the Austin area.  

Join us for JA's 2018 Program Kickoff Lunch

Imagine Your Team Here....

Would you like to be part of a group of leaders, heroes, and energizers and learn how to  expand and enhance your organization's involvement with JA?  By encouraging colleagues and friends to learn more about inspiring kids through JA, you can empower them to step out of their normal routines and make a positive difference in our community. 

Please join us on January 18th from 11:30-1:00 for our 2018 program kickoff lunch. During this time you will meet others who coordinate JA at their firm, and learn more about upcoming JA opportunities- inside and outside the classroom. We will also be sharing best practices and hosting a Q&A for a great start to the new year.  

You are invited to

2018 Program Kickoff Lunch

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM 

Bulldog Solutions

7600 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78731

JA is Expanding Entrepreneurship Programming to LBJ Early Collegiate High School thanks to A Glimmer of Hope

A Glimmer of Hope Foundation will fund new entrepreneurship programs for 100 LBJ students in 2018. Students will complete the JA Entrepreneurship track - JA Launch Lesson, JA It's My Business and JA Company Program in 2018. The grant includes funds to support a robust summer program so that we can serve the students over multiple school years.

A typical day in a JA entrepreneurship program is anything but typical! Students will spend 60-90 minutes in a hands-on session with their JA volunteer introducing key concepts and supporting them through group work. One day students may be brainstorming possible ways to make dog toys from plastic grocery bags or misprinted t-shirts from a local company, another they may be discovering resources they have which they may have previously seen as barriers. Each week, students develop more skills and more confidence. They begin to see they have value, that all work is honorable, that their community cares about them as individuals - understanding their dreams and helping them reach their potential.

We are very thankful for this investment to expand our JA entrepreneurship programs, and can't wait to begin serving the next generation of entrepreneurs at LBJ Early Collegiate High School. 

The girls of Bertha Sadler Means YWLA take over the Capital Factory!

After working hard all morning, a pitch team enjoys lunch with pitch judge and Altatudes founder Alta Y. Alexander.

Sylvia Cento of RetailMeNot and Adrianna Cantu of Revealix coach the young women on their go-to-market strategies.

Ashley Reed, JACT board member and the Director of Talent and HR at Bulldog Solutions, works with her team to get them to best communicate their pitch concept. 

JA volunteer and pitch coach Caroline Reaves-Powers of Carol Dochen Realtors Inc. asks students thought provoking questions, encouraging them to refine their business ideas.

Automatic pet feeders, personal styling apps and flying shoes were just a few of the ideas pitched at the E2 Intensive held at Capital Factory by the eighth grade students from Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy. These young women participated in the six week program JA It's My Business! at their school which culminated in this special opportunity to work with professional women to perfect their pitch and participate in a pitch competition at the E2 Intensive. The E2 Intensive is part of the ongoing special program E2: Entrepreneurship & Empowerment for Young Women that was launched last spring. The E2 program is an opportunity for young women to have the Austin entrepreneur experience while networking with inspiring and diverse professional female role models, empowering them with self-confidence in their own abilities. These young ladies now join the over 5,000 students in the Austin area that participated in JA programs last year, of which 350 students started their own businesses. This event is one of many during the month of November in celebration of National Entrepreneurship Month sponsored by EY.

JACT Wins National JA Innovation Award

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL TEXAS WINS NATIONAL JA INNOVATION AWARD

(Austin, Texas) —Today, Junior Achievement USA and The Hartford announced that Junior Achievement of Central Texas is the recipient of the JA Innovation Award. The JA Innovation Award was established by The Hartford to reward JA Areas which have effectively implemented the JA Company Program® in an innovative way that has significantly increased the number of students reached and that can be replicated by other JA Areas.  JA of Central Texas was one of two JA Areas from a field of 20 to receive a $25,000 award presented by The Hartford during Junior Achievement’s Global Leadership Conference in Atlanta on July 20, 2017.  

“Innovation is a key part of the JA Company of the Year program, which provides young people with business and financial skills that empower them to be successful,” said Diane Cantello, vice president of Corporate Sustainability for The Hartford. “At The Hartford, we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of individuals by building safe, strong and successful communities through our philanthropic investments.”

The JA Company Program unlocks the innate ability in high school students to fill a need or solve a problem in their community by launching a business venture and unleashing their entrepreneurial spirit. The program focuses on helping students build and manage their business with the support of volunteers from the business community. Meeting-specific, student-friendly materials and resources increase student interaction and emphasize JA’s experiential approach to learning.