Teen Entrepreneurs

Make a job! You don't have to take a job. That's one of the important messages local teen women heard at the An Income of Her Own Conference, sponsored by the Prudential Foundation and presented by Independent Means Inc. The teens were introduced to the concepts of business ownership and met with local women entrepreneurs during a day of hands-on activities held at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis.

Joline Godfrey, president of Independent Means Inc. and developer of An Income of Her Own programs focused on teaching the teen women how to take control of their own futures. "We recognize that teen women are economically at risk if they don't take steps to secure their own financial futures, and we're excited to make this opportunity available to the young women of Minneapolis," said Godfrey. "We hope to encourage young women to become self- sufficient as adults by tapping into the vast possibilities presented by entrepreneurship."

The teen women came from local schools and girl-serving programs throughout St. Paul and Minneapolis to explore the opportunities and challenges of business ownership by talking with local entrepreneurs; developing new businesses and product ideas based on bits of "scraps;" and playing a board game which involves using the vocabulary, history and ethics of business ownership. They were guided through the day by successful women business owners in the Twin Cities.

"We want teens to come away with three things: awareness that business ownership is an option, familiarity with the basic concepts and language of business and exposure to business women as role models. If teen girls know the options, they can make better choices," added Godfrey.

Local organizer Amy Kramer Brenengen of WomenVenture says, "This conference is particularly timely because of growing local interest in programs that focus on economic empowerment for young women." Local organizers of this conference are WomenVenture - helping women find jobs, plan careers, and start and grow businesses; YWCA of St. Paul, The Woman's Club of Minneapolis, Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Bremer Bank, Financial Women International, YouthTRUST, Twin Cities One-to-One, Minnesota Women's Consortium, and the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas.

An Income of Her Own is organized by Independent Means Inc., a leading provider of economic empowerment programs and products for teen women. In addition to the conferences, IMI produces Camp $tart-up, an after school and summer camp program, an annual National Business Plan Competition, and satellite broadcasts which reach into high schools nationwide.