The Milledgeville-Baldwin County Youth Entrepreneur Program (YEP) officially launched last month with a mentor/mentee kickoff event, marking the beginning of an innovative initiative designed to empower the community’s next generation of business leaders.

YEP, led by the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce and developed through its C.R.E.A.T.E. Committee, is presented in collaboration with Milledgeville Main Street/Downtown Development Authority, Georgia Power, Georgia College, local entrepreneurs, the Baldwin County Board of Education, elected officials, and other community partners. The program equips local high school juniors and seniors with entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and hands-on experience as they prepare for a three-round business pitch competition. Through the program, students will:

• Share their ideas with business leaders
• Receive one-on-one mentoring
• Gain real-world experience
• Compete for cash prizes

During the kickoff event, students met their mentors, refined their business ideas, and received seed money to begin building their ventures.

“We are incredibly proud to bring this program to Baldwin County for the first time,” said Kara Lassiter, President & CEO of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber. “Our mentors and students have hit the ground running, and the level of creativity and excitement we’re already seeing shows just how much talent and potential exists within our community.”

Special appreciation is extended to Fouts Bros Inc., Title Sponsor of YEP. The Chamber also thanks representatives from Century Bank & Trust and Exchange Bank for explaining the loan process and assisting with student seed funding, and Lifescapes Photography for capturing business headshots for participants.

This year’s student business concepts and mentor pairings include:

• Harmony’s Handcrafts – Harmony Brynteson | Mentor: Crystal Law

• The Charming Treasure – Hannah Garcia | Mentor: Karen Barrett

• EZ Sweets – Emma Jackson & Zoe Cowart | Mentor: Bridgette Smith

• The Glow & Grow Co. – Ty’Jha’ya Cannie | Mentor: Willie Davis

• Finley’s Finds – Trey Flournoy | Mentor: Wes Cummings

• Middle GA Detailing – Adison Fain & Brooks Latimer | Mentor: Daniel Cameron

• Greenway Tubing & Canoeing – Allison Griffin | Mentors: Adam Heagy & Madison Green

• Merit Media Co. – Ashley Perez & Storm Bohannon | Mentor: Angela Criscoe

• Silas Detailing – Kylan Silas | Mentor: Barak Wood

• CeCe’s Cleaning Services – Corinthian Austin | Mentor: Jemeria Cummings

For more information about the Youth Entrepreneur Program, please contact Kara Lassiter at 478-453-9311 or [email protected].