From Idea to Market: Students Experience Entrepreneurship at JA

The next generation of entrepreneurs spent part of their summer learning what it takes to turn an idea into reality.

This summer, we partnered with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) to host its Entrepreneurial Academy at our Experiential Learning Center in the Veale Entrepreneurial Hub! As the first program of its kind held in the space, it was exciting to see the Hub come to life with student creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning.

Working alongside Dominic Jones, Y.O.U.'s facilitator, JA helped provide students with a foundation in entrepreneurship through our JA Be Entrepreneurial curriculum. Throughout the program, students explored concepts such as design thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, and rapid business planning while developing ideas of their own.

But learning didn't stop in the classroom.

A major focus of the Entrepreneurial Academy was introducing students to the people, places, and resources that make entrepreneurship possible in Greater Cleveland. Through visits to CentroVilla25 and the West Side Market, students connected with local entrepreneurs and small business owners who shared their experiences building businesses and serving their communities. These visits gave students a firsthand look at the challenges, creativity, and persistence that are part of running a business every day.

Students also had the opportunity to explore innovation from another perspective. Thanks in part to support from the Veale Foundation, the group visited Sears think[box] at Case Western Reserve University, one of the nation's largest university-based maker spaces. There, students saw how entrepreneurs, inventors, and creators use tools and technology to bring new ideas to life.

The experience culminated in a student-run market hosted right here in JA's Entrepreneurial Hub. Students showcased and sold products they created, putting what they had learned into practice while gaining valuable experience interacting with customers, explaining their products, and managing sales.

For many students, it was a chance to see entrepreneurship not as an abstract concept, but as something tangible and achievable. From brainstorming ideas and developing business plans to testing products and selling them to customers, students experienced the full journey of bringing an idea to market.

JA is grateful for our partnership with Y.O.U. and everyone who helped make the Entrepreneurial Academy possible. A special thank you to Molly Fehgali, who worked closely with us to help shape the program and create a meaningful experience for students.

We hope this is the first summer of many. By working together to connect young people with local entrepreneurs, community resources, and hands-on experiences, we can continue helping students discover What's Next.