Flint’s young people have many talents and skills and you can see some of them at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 4.

Students from the YouthQuest (YQ) afterschool program will set up shop in the outdoor pavilion at the Flint Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sell the products they created.

“I think people are going to like our idea,” says Anjola Adigun, an eighth-grade student participating in this year’s fair. “We make custom-decorated mirrors that have positive sayings on them. They help boost your self-esteem.”

Her business is called Reflections, which will sell a variety of mirrors and accept custom orders during the event. Adigun is one of 36 student-run businesses that will be featured at the business fair.

The event wraps up months of financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, says Cheryl Adkins, program director of YouthQuest.

“Students learn by doing, so YQ Biz is very hands-on,” she says. “After they learned the basics, we challenged them to develop business plans, build prototypes and present their ideas during a ‘Shark Tank’-style business pitch competition.”

With support from United Way of Genesee County Community Impact in partnership with Chemical Bank and Huntington Bank, students who advanced from the pitch competitions enlisted their peers to assist with production for the upcoming fair. In addition to mirrors, participating businesses will sell everything from handmade soaps and candles to stress balls and printed tees.

The YQ program benefits the “youthpreneurs” in more ways than one, according to Adkins. Students gain confidence, develop an entrepreneurial mindset and hone important skills, such as teamwork and communication.

“Teaching students about entrepreneurship prepares them to find opportunities in challenges,” she says. “That kind of critical thinking will help them in all aspects of their life – at school, at home and in their community.”

YouthQuest is made possible with the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

The YQ Biz Youth Business Fair will be held May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit yquest.org or call (810) 600-1422.

Lead photo by Danen Williams

  21st Century Community Learning Centers, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Chemical Bank, Flint Farmer’s Market, Huntington Bank, United Way of Genesee County Community Impact, youth businesses in Flint, YouthQuest

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