ION cultivates young entrepreneurs in Saint Paul

In the heart of Saint Paul a transformative movement is unfolding — one that seeks to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs from the ground up. It’s Our Neighborhood (ION), whose mission is to instill entrepreneurial knowledge and skills in our youth, is hosting a Youth Business Fair on February 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Rosedale Mall.

The one-of-a-kind Business Fair tasks ION’s participants, aged 14-20, with developing a brand, creating a product or service, and building a marketing strategy. ION Executive Director Milan Dennie says the young entrepreneurs in training keep 100% of their profits.

“They need to have that opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and take those risks while they’re young,” said Dennie. “I believe these opportunities help ease some of the fears that come with being new in business, and with higher stakes when you are an adult.”

Dennie, who is an entrepreneur himself, owns a barbershop. He says even though his vision of opening a barbershop came at a young age, he lacked the opportunities to make it a reality until he became an adult. He says this is why ION’s work is important. He says that a head start can make a difference.

“I knew I wanted to open a barbershop at age 11,” said Dennie. “If I had that help, I wouldn’t have made the mistakes that I made, which eventually turned into learning experiences.”

ION doesn’t just leave youth to dream on their own, though. The organization partners its youth with local entrepreneurs and offers a curriculum tailored to young minds. Dennie says representation is the best way to plant the seeds of success, which isn’t just a personal benefit, but a communal one. 

He says because of him, youth have been asking about taking the barber route, a path the organization is working on making accessible in the foreseeable future. “We’re working on putting a barber program together for juniors and seniors in high school so they can get their work on their barber license,” said Dennie,

Dennie says the mission of It’s Our Neighborhood is to create a community of highly educated, business-minded individuals who will continue to contribute to the local economy and society. He says through their programs, mentorship, and educational initiatives, they are creating a brighter future for the next generation of business leaders, one young entrepreneur at a time.

For more information, visit ItsOurNeighborhood.com.

Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses to [email protected].

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