This April, our Children’s and Teen Departments worked together to offer a unique opportunity to local youth. Entrepreneurial tweens and teens in grades 3–8 were invited to take part in the Fountaindale Start-Up Academy, a program that teaches financial responsibility and independence through hands-on learning. Each participant built a business plan to create, market and sell their homemade products at our Start-Up Market event on April 20. This was done in partnership with Bolingbrook Bank & Trust, which helped shepherd all participants from brainstorming to the day of the market.
Tweens Program
The tweens in grades 3–5 attended four sessions focused on financial literacy and helping them prepare for the Start-Up Market. They first developed and wrote their business plans and learned how to properly handle money and keep their earnings safe. They were then encouraged to develop an identity for their business and trained on how to apply that concept to their marketing and promotion.
Teens Program
The teens in grades 6–8 attended two sessions. They first learned the reality of keeping to a budget, creating inventory and developing a business plan through an interactive experience. The teens then learned from Fountaindale’s very own Studio 300 Department how to use Canva to highlight their products through creative signage.
The Big Day
On Saturday, April 20, the 15 tween and teen participants arrived bright and early to set up their tables and get ready to sell at the Start-Up Market. We are immensely proud of the Start-Up Market participants and are thrilled and thankful that 105 patrons visited the Start-Up Market in support of our tweens and teens.
Each entrepreneur was exceptionally creative and offered a unique variety of products, including crocheted animals, hand-painted shoes and art and a widespread selection of jewelry. The young business owners behaved professionally and admirably as they marketed their products to eager customers.
Thank You!
We want to thank the community of Bolingbrook for supporting these budding entrepreneurs and applaud the hard work done by these ambitious children. We were also fortunate enough to have Diana Sorescu, branch manager of Bolingbrook Bank & Trust, to represent the support the bank gave us throughout this program. In addition to the bank, we also had a representative from the Illinois Treasury present to provide parents and attendees the chance to learn about their services, including finding unclaimed funds through ICash.
This was our second Start-Up Academy and we are pleased to share that we will repeat this program in 2025, dates and details to be determined. Until then, we encourage you to support your local small businesses and enjoy the multitude of programs offered at Fountaindale Public Library for all ages.