Venture Description: A venture that sells school supplies and snacks. The school supplies are items that are normally required in all schools. Having school supplies available up on demand insure that they will be purchase for classroom assignments and homework.

Venture Origin: Students would not have their supplies for classroom assignments, or their homework, because the store would be close. Ninety-five percent of the parents get off from work past store hours. The nearest Wal-mart is twenty minutes away, and some parents do not own vehicles.

Innovation: Having flexible store hours insures that supplies can be purchase whenever needed, like before school, and after the other stores are close.

Impact

Impact: Until now, supplies teachers needed were not requested because it would be difficult for kids to secure them. They are now ordered through me, and are available upon request. I have a price list at each of the schools so that the teachers, parents and the students will know what supplies I am selling.

Engagement with the community: The teachers(200) in the parish submits school supply list, so that the name brand, the count, and amounts will be correct for each child. There are no sharing of supplies. When other businesses do not carry the product, they will recommend my venture. We work together in this community. Students remind each other, and their parents about the venture.

Impact and engagement progress since launch: Students now have the supplies they need for their assignments. I donated supplies to five Pre-K classes, it's their beginning, it should be a great start. The community is very supportive. Students do not have to go all the way home after school, they stop by my venture, get snacks, and supplies for tutoring sessions. I am located down the street from one of the high schools.

Impact and engagement strategy: The business plan from day one was to give back to the community in forms of scholarships and donations. Also making sure I have exactly what the teachers and the students need. All prices are affordable, even if it means that I will just break even.

Awards: 1. 4-H Community Service Award 2. This is Your Life Community Service Award-New Light Baptist Church-2006

Budget

Amount of Youth Venture seed grant: 1000.00

Money raised: 200.00 Fundraiser

Creative ways of raising resources: Saving Account/Investments from family and church members.

Strategy

Expansion plan for next 6 months: Within the next six months, we plan to secure funding to make a transition from a venture that sells to a technology lab.

Plans for sustaining the project: I am always searching the internet for funding. My staff works to insure that everything is running smooth, without pay. Youth Venture, family members, and church members invested in my venture. I am blessed through everyone that is sent into my life to help me succeed.

Vision for three years from now: Three years from now All 4 U will have expanded into Link's Internet Den (The LID). To keep things fresh in a jar, it has to have a lid. A greater venture where you can get tutored, purchase school supplies and snacks, check your email, and do your homework. This greater venture will be open two hours after the library closes.

Project impact: My venture proves that with God all things are possible, and any individual can dream, believe, and achieve whatever you believe that you can do with the help of other individuals and organizations that are out there to help you. Parents now have the reassurance that supplies will be available for their children, day or night, and that one day soon there will be a technology lab open for them also.

Youth Venture movement - what it means and how you can contribute: I am proud to be a part of the Youth Venture movement. Young people relate better to each other. As venturers, we can discuss the process, paperwork, and barriers of starting a new venture. We can let the youth of today know, that not only are there adults that care, there are also other youth that care about them too. I am proud to be a shaker, and a mover, and have a venture that will expand to help youth be creative, strenghthen their characters, gifts, and talents.

Author:
Lincoln
United States