Area youth to showcase small businesses at upcoming event
Madeline Gonzales, a 10-year-old participant of the program, said that her favorite thing she learned was the potential to turn a hobby into a business and make money. Seen here with her mother Valerie.
56 area youth participate in Jr. CEO program
– The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce is set to host the first Jr. CEO Business Day on April 1, marking the culmination of the inaugural Jr. CEO program. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. next to La Plaza in downtown Atascadero. 56 participants of the program will showcase their small businesses and the community is encouraged to attend and show support.
The Jr. CEO program aims to provide elementary and junior high school students with a unique educational opportunity by offering five virtual workshops focused on entrepreneurial skills. Virtual sessions have covered fundamental business aspects such as setting up a business, cost models, safety and food preparation, marketing and customer service, and savings and money management.
Madeline Gonzales, a 10-year-old participant of the program, said that her favorite thing she learned was the potential to turn a hobby into a business and make money. Her business specializes in making balloon animals and is called Pop805. Valerie Gonzales, Madeline’s mother and a loan advisor at Cross Country Mortgage, said that having a model to start a business opens up endless opportunities for her daughter’s future.
Chamber President/CEO Josh Cross led each virtual workshop and participants received an interactive workbook for each session.
