"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Entrepreneurship Day for Area Students

"The winning participants receive their awards. Front Row (left to right): Lain Wright, Tahlequah High School, Lori Yount, Keys High School, Madison Carey, Tahlequah High School, Mollie Crow, Brook McFadden, both of Keys High School. Back Row (left to right): B.J. Ketcher, Sequoyah Schools, Denton Wright, Brian Barlow, Shaheen Rahmani, Will Purdy, Troy Shatwell, and Hannah Blake, all of Tahlequah High School."

The Cherokee Nation recently held an Entrepreneurship Day competition at the Place Where They Play for students from area high schools. Several students from Sequoyah Schools, Keys High School and Tahlequah High School attended the event.

Entrepreneurship Day was hosted by the Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center. The SBAC, a program in the tribe’s Commerce Group, provides direction over the administration of various loan programs, develops marketing and tourism initiatives to promote the economies of the tribe as well as its citizens, and facilitates the development of individual and corporate business.

“The SBAC is so proud of the students that participated in the competition,” said Veronica Hix, Entrepreneur Development Manager. “The event has grown from last year, and was very competitive.”

Organizers said that the goal of the event was to instill a belief system and self-confidence among area young people that encourages business ownership, leadership and economic development among Cherokee communities.

Throughout the day, participating students were introduced to programs available through the tribe and other organizations that could assist them in their educational and business endeavors.

Students who attended Entrepreneurship Day participated in an Ideas Competition Challenge, a friendly contest designed to pique student interest in entrepreneurship. The competition asked students to come up with a business idea, create a business plan and present the idea to a panel of judges. Students had a choice to compete in either group projects or individual projects categories.

First place group prize was awarded to Madison Carey and Brian Barlow from Tahlequah High School for their business, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Second place group was awarded to Troy Shatwell and Hannah Blake from Tahlequah High School, for their business, Paws N’ Claws. Third place group went to Mollie Crow and Brook McFadden from Keys High School, for their business, Baby Boutique.

“I would be very interested in continuing on with my business plan once I’ve graduated,” said Hannah Blake. “Our idea for this business could become a definite possibility.”

Lori Yount from Keys High School was the winner of the individual competition with her business, Colorful Creations.

The Bank of Cherokee County awarded a special cash prize to B.J. Ketcher of Sequoyah High School for Ketcher’s Cream and to Denton Wright and Lain Wright of Tahlequah High School who had The Loft. Ketcher’s Cream also received the Presentation Award.

All winning groups and individuals received an assortment of awards and cash prizes for their creativity and ingenuity.

“We appreciate the participation from our area schools and commend the support of the teachers who are helping create our business leaders of tomorrow,” said Hix.