Napa Valley College Announces the Napa Youth Entrepreneur Program

Business Plan Competition for Young Entrepreneurs

Saturday December 5th, 2009 at Napa Valley College

The competition was open to all high school and college students, from 14-28 years of age.

Over the past few months, Napa SBDC Advisors, Napa Valley College professors, and area high school instructors trained and worked with over 200 students on the development of comprehensive business plans. Completed business plans were submitted for review by a team of experts. The top 5 high school plans and the top 6 college plans were then chosen for a final competition. On December 5th, the 2nd Annual Youth Business Plan Competition was held on the Napa Valley College campus and the finalists had the opportunity to present their plans to a panel of judges.

There were 5 finalists in the High School Division. First place and $500 was awarded to Giovanie Robledo; she has been designing clothing since she was 15 and developed the business plan for Pinky Lee Clothing, a rockabilly/pin-up girl inspired line of clothing. Second place was awarded to Roxie Craig for Roxie’s TutorSitting, a business providing tutoring and childcare. Third place went to Ashley Martinez for Party Planner of the Century, an event planning service.

In the College Division, there were 6 finalists. The first place prize of $1000 was awarded to the team of Nathan Couch, Rochelle Galzote, Sandra Luebke, Shawna Miller, Gabriela Ortega, and Caroline Smith for the development of their plan for Confianza, a mobile accounting/tax preparation business serving the Hispanic community of Napa Valley. Second place was awarded to Nick Rachel of Retrofit; Nick is currently in business as an HVAC technician. Third place was awarded to Khaled Aboudamous, David Mares, Mark Mares, and Janian Skelton for Quickplay Piano, an online, interactive piano instruction business.

Judges for the event included: Dave Angelovich, Business & Computer Studies Chair NVC; Shirley Clauss, Napa County Office of Education; Rob Holst, President of Phi Theta Kappa, NVC Honor Society; Susan Jensen, VP & Business Development Officer for Umpqua Bank; Randy Martinsen, Executive Board Member Napa Chamber of Commerce; Bill Blair, Napa Valley College Foundation; Michael Fradelizio, owner Silverado Brewing Company; Sue Nelson, Vice President of Instruction NVC; and Jerry Jinnett Napa Valley College SBDC Business Advisor.

How the Plans Were Judged - We used the following rubric

The plan begins with an introduction that shows the logic behind the business that you selected to start and a strong organizational structure needed to run the business.

The plan is supported by research of the customer, competition, and the business you are starting.

The plan identifies logical target markets that show a strong understanding of the need for focus in a business plan.

The product, price, promotion, and distribution sections of the plan strongly support the target markets selected.

The plan addresses the operations, customer service, management and human resources elements of the business

The financial plan is realistic and demonstrates that you have thoroughly researched the costs of running the business.

Your plan contains strong logical arguments why this business would be viable

Your plan’s presentation is creative and believable

Business, State and Community Support

The Youth Entrepreneur Program was made possible by Napa Valley College, in response to the need for educating the next generation of entrepreneurs. YEP is also made possible through a grant from the Economic Workforce Development through the California Community Colleges.

The competition and the clinics are also supported by the following businesses and organizations: Napa Valley College Foundation, Napa County Regional Occupational Program, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Silverado Brewing Company, Net-Flow, Napa Community Bank and Charter Oak Bank.

For more information or to sponsor the Napa Valley College YEP Business Plan Competition, contact the YEP Program Coordinator, Charlie Monahan at 707-253-3211 or stop by the SBDC office at 1556 First Street, Suite 103 in Napa.


"This is a great program - I thought it was going to be like going back to high school but it's actually fun!" Josh Holmes 2008 YEP "Boot Camp" "I've always had the idea to start my own business but had no idea of where to start. This class is helpful. It helps focus ideas." Joel Mosebach 2008 YEP "Boot Camp" Sign Up Now Please complete the contact form below. Basic Information First Name: Last Name: Business Information Business Email Address:	Napa Valley College Announces the Napa Youth Entrepreneur Program Business Plan Competition for Young Entrepreneurs Saturday December 5th, 2009 at Napa Valley College The competition was open to all high school and college students, from 14-28 years of age. Over the past few months, Napa SBDC Advisors, Napa Valley College professors, and area high school instructors trained and worked with over 200 students on the development of comprehensive business plans. Completed business plans were submitted for review by a team of experts. The top 5 high school plans and the top 6 college plans were then chosen for a final competition. On December 5th, the 2nd Annual Youth Business Plan Competition was held on the Napa Valley College campus and the finalists had the opportunity to present their plans to a panel of judges. There were 5 finalists in the High School Division. First place and $500 was awarded to Giovanie Robledo; she has been designing clothing since she was 15 and developed the business plan for Pinky Lee Clothing, a rockabilly/pin-up girl inspired line of clothing. Second place was awarded to Roxie Craig for Roxie’s TutorSitting, a business providing tutoring and childcare. Third place went to Ashley Martinez for Party Planner of the Century, an event planning service. In the College Division, there were 6 finalists. The first place prize of $1000 was awarded to the team of Nathan Couch, Rochelle Galzote, Sandra Luebke, Shawna Miller, Gabriela Ortega, and Caroline Smith for the development of their plan for Confianza, a mobile accounting/tax preparation business serving the Hispanic community of Napa Valley. Second place was awarded to Nick Rachel of Retrofit; Nick is currently in business as an HVAC technician. Third place was awarded to Khaled Aboudamous, David Mares, Mark Mares, and Janian Skelton for Quickplay Piano, an online, interactive piano instruction business. Judges for the event included: Dave Angelovich, Business & Computer Studies Chair NVC; Shirley Clauss, Napa County Office of Education; Rob Holst, President of Phi Theta Kappa, NVC Honor Society; Susan Jensen, VP & Business Development Officer for Umpqua Bank; Randy Martinsen, Executive Board Member Napa Chamber of Commerce; Bill Blair, Napa Valley College Foundation; Michael Fradelizio, owner Silverado Brewing Company; Sue Nelson, Vice President of Instruction NVC; and Jerry Jinnett Napa Valley College SBDC Business Advisor. How the Plans Were Judged - We used the following rubric The plan begins with an introduction that shows the logic behind the business that you selected to start and a strong organizational structure needed to run the business. The plan is supported by research of the customer, competition, and the business you are starting. The plan identifies logical target markets that show a strong understanding of the need for focus in a business plan. The product, price, promotion, and distribution sections of the plan strongly support the target markets selected. The plan addresses the operations, customer service, management and human resources elements of the business The financial plan is realistic and demonstrates that you have thoroughly researched the costs of running the business. Your plan contains strong logical arguments why this business would be viable Your plan’s presentation is creative and believable Business, State and Community Support The Youth Entrepreneur Program was made possible by Napa Valley College, in response to the need for educating the next generation of entrepreneurs. YEP is also made possible through a grant from the Economic Workforce Development through the California Community Colleges. The competition and the clinics are also supported by the following businesses and organizations: Napa Valley College Foundation, Napa County Regional Occupational Program, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Silverado Brewing Company, Net-Flow, Napa Community Bank and Charter Oak Bank. For more information or to sponsor the Napa Valley College YEP Business Plan Competition, contact the YEP Program Coordinator, Charlie Monahan at 707-253-3211 or stop by the SBDC office at 1556 First Street, Suite 103 in Napa.

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Business Plan Competition for Young Entrepreneurs