Tomorrow’s leaders developed today – this is the thought process behind a groundbreaking program recently completed by 13 Robertson County high school students.

The students, representing Innovation Academy, Greenbrier, Springfield, and White House Heritage high schools, took part in the inaugural Youth Leadership Entrepreneur Experience (YLEE) initiative, launched by the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with SmallTown Startup. Assistance was also provided by the Robertson County Economic Development Board and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

During the nine-month program, which began this past September, the aspiring teenage business owners met monthly to develop their ideas, launch the product/brand, and plan for future growth.

“We wanted to create a youth program that really benefitted those who were interested in pursuing opening a business after they graduated,” says Robertson County Chamber President Adele Watts. “Once we identified those people, we would help teach them how to do that so when they graduate, maybe they’ll just stay here and add to our local economy.”

The first year of the YLEE program culminated in May with a “pitch night” where teams presented their ideas in front of a panel of judges and on YouTube, where the public could select the top pitches. TVA sponsored the event and provided scholarship prize money to the winning participants.“[Small Town Startup Founder and CEO] Lisa Arnold and her team did a great job of homing in on teaching our young leaders what it’s like to open a business,” Watts says. Participants had to put business and marketing plans together where they determined who their audience was and how it was going to be reached, what are your startup costs were, what their budget was, and so much more. Lisa and her team really challenged them from the start all the way to pitch night.”

Awarded first place and $1,500 was the pitch for Global Go, a revolutionary app that provides translators “on the go” for non-native English speakers in the States with plans to expand globally. Global Go uses the same techniques as a dating app; users can easily find a translator by swiping through the individuals available to help. The team was comprised of Yaleny Torres, a senior at Innovation Academy, and Wallace Selph, a Springfield High School senior.

Second-place pitch honors and $1,000 went to The Bare Necessities, which gives young students confidence through readily available hygiene products provided to low-income families of children in grades K-5. The hygiene products are delivered discreetly during school hours. Team members included Greenbrier High School’s Ella Honeycutt (senior) and Kennedy Cantrell (junior); White House Heritage junior Addy Clark; and Kalani Thomas, a senior at Robertson County Virtual School.

Additionally, four standout students were given individual Leadership Awards of $100 in recognition of their exceptional drive and skills throughout the program.

“It was a really good program and I learned a lot,” says Springfield High School senior Courtney Young. “It took the business classes I had already taken and expanded on them to teach me some new things I can use going forward. I’m grateful for the experience.”

Watts says she has already had inquiries/interest about the next Youth Leadership Entrepreneur Experience.“The first year was very successful,” she says. “This is practical knowledge that, whether they open a business or not, these students can use throughout their lives. It stretched their boundaries.”

2024-25 Youth Leadership Entrepreneur Experience Participants

Greenbrier High School: Emma Honeycutt, Kennedy Cantrell, Lily Holleman

Innovation Academy: Britton Batson, Bryana Vasquez Gomez, Davis Vasquez, Yaleny Thomas

Robertson County Virtual School: Kalani Thomas

Springfield High School: Wallace Selph, Donald Rogers, Courtney Young

White House Heritage High School: Addy Clark, Aubrey Staggs