Teen campers blossom into entrepreneurs
This summer, the YWCA’s Girls Inc. Teen Program fostered several entrepreneurs.
Inspired by a presentation by AKA Sorority’s Joscelyne Wilson, the YWCA girls took what they learned from a fellow female entrepreneur and put it into action.
“Her words inspired us to think of so many fun business ideas. It was difficult to choose,” said 15-year-old Abby Casey, visiting from New Jersey.
After Abby and a relative found a soap-making kit at a local garage sale, the girls unanimously decided it was the perfect business opportunity that combined fun, learning and the opportunity for success.
The budding entrepreneurs calculated their needs and purchased supplies using a grant from the Syracuse Zonta Foundation. Learning how to make unique soaps using dyes, fragrances and items, which added an artistic flair to their signature soap, was the highlight of the experience, they said.
The group made enough inventory to recently stock a booth at Syracuse’s Downtown Farmer’s Market.
“I was surprised people bought our soap,” said 15-year-old Keonna Wren, of Syracuse. “Business was good. We’ll be able to cover our expenses and then some.”
The teens say they plan to use their profits to fund an additional fun event or experience for their group.
YWCA’s Girls Inc. Teen Summer Camp introduces young women to exciting and interesting learning experiences, focusing on the fields of engineering, science and technology, while incorporating the mission of “inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.”
The YWCA operates three Out of School Time sites for girls ages 5 through 12 in Onondaga County, a partnership with SCSD and Say Yes in two city schools, and a partnership summer program with Syracuse Parks and Recreation at Schiller Park; programs featuring a girls after-school program on Douglas Street, as well as Camp Discovery, career conferences: Expanding Your Horizons and Girls Summit, a teen program; and a Women’s Residence program providing a safe, supportive environment for vulnerable women and children.
For information about any of these programs, call the YWCA Syracuse & Onondaga County at 315-424-0040 or go to www.ywca-syracuse.org.
