New Program Offered for Young Entrepreneurs

Know a teen interested in entrepreneurship? The Grater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce is now offering the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to Westfield, Garwood, Mountainside, Scotch Plains and Fanwood children from 7th to 12th grade.

YEA! Is a program established throughout 59 communities in the United States, but this is the first program to launch in New Jersey.

The GWACC is proud of the program, which offers an opportunity to both business owners and local students.

Director of the GWACC, Heather Robinson, said YEA! Is the organization’s most exciting new initiative.

“The program…will turn kids into actual entrepreneurs, going all the way through to trade show, and investors panel,” she explained.

Many students have already completed an application for the program. YEA is a 30-week course beginning in October that meets on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Westfield High School. 

Students can work individually or in groups of up to four students. A business plan is not needed to apply.

“Students will be guided from brainstorming ideas, business plan writing, launch, trade show, and investment panel,” the GWACC stated. 

Applications are still being accepted at westfieldareachamber.com, under the YEA! Tab. A tuition payment of $395 is due upon acceptance. Only 24 students will be accepted.

Paul D. Deroo, Ph.D has been chosen as one of the programs instructors. Deroo has over 40 years experience in developing and troubleshooting complex processes at all levels of academic, commercial, municipal and industrial organizations. He also taught general chemistry and bioorganic chemistry at Queens College of the City University of New York and at Drexel University where after retiring, he continues to teach as an Adjunct Professor to coordinate and teach on-line graded components of chemistry courses for over 1,250 freshman engineering and science majors.

For More information call (908) 233-3021 or email yea@westfieldareachamber.com.