“I’ve learned that I want my brand to tell people that their worth is being in the world.” — Eli, Grade 7
“I’ve learned that you should be positive about your past and your future.” — James, Grade 7
A Launchpad for Youth Innovation
The Gilbert Chamber Foundation’s Student Entrepreneurs Academy is a program where ideas evolve into prototypes, and curiosity turns into confidence. Across a series of immersive sessions, students from the community are learning the mindset, methods, and mechanics of building something that matters. From design thinking to brand identity, the Academy has been carefully crafted to give students both strategic frameworks and real-world experiences. Along the way, they’ve met inspiring leaders, toured a thriving local business, and practiced skills that will serve them well—whether they launch a company, lead a project, or reshape their community.
The Curriculum: From Curiosity to Creation
Design Thinking: Empathy as the Engine
Students kicked off with design thinking—learning to notice problems, interview potential users, and reframe challenges into solvable opportunities.
Problem Solving: Turning Obstacles into Options
With an entrepreneurial lens, students learned structured methods to move from messy ambiguity to actionable steps—prioritizing high-impact ideas, testing assumptions, and planning experiments.
Prototyping: Ideas You Can Hold
Prototyping brought concepts to life. From cardboard mockups to paper models, students discovered the power of making something tangible and testable early—long before perfection is possible (or necessary).
Customer Personas: Building for Someone, Not Everyone
A great product starts with a clear understanding of who it’s for. Students created detailed personas—motivations, behaviors, pain points—and used them to guide product decisions, messaging, and channel strategies.
Brand Identity: A Promise People Can Recognize
Beyond logos, students explored the heart of branding—values, voice, visuals, and the promise a brand makes (and keeps).
Field Trip Spotlight: Executive Millwork with John Webster
A defining moment of the Academy was a hands-on visit to John Webster’s Executive Millwork, where students experienced craftsmanship, precision, and entrepreneurship in action. John and his talented team welcomed students into the shop, demonstrating how raw materials become refined pieces through careful planning, creative problem solving, and collaborative execution.
- What Students Saw: Project workflows, safety protocols, tool demos, material selection, and quality assurance.
- What Students Learned: The importance of attention to detail, measuring twice and cutting once, and how values show up in the work you do every day.
Guest Insights: Knowing Your Customer with Adam Baugh
The Academy welcomed guest speaker Adam Baugh, who delivered a powerful session on knowing your customer—a cornerstone of any thriving venture. Adam helped students connect personas to real behaviors, identify how customers make decisions, and understand why the right questions lead to the right solutions.
Facilitator Spotlight: Lisa Mont-Ros of Strategy Ninjas
Guiding the students with clarity and care is co-facilitator Lisa Mont-Ros of Strategy Ninjas. Lisa’s approach blends strategic discipline with kindness—helping students see complexity without feeling overwhelmed. Her insights on positioning, value propositions, and practical experimentation have helped to anchor the Academy’s work.
Mentorship That Makes a Difference
One of the most impactful elements of the Student Entrepreneurs Academy is the guidance provided by our incredible mentors—community leaders who generously share their expertise and time to help students grow. This year’s mentor team includes Melanie Nemetz of the Melanie Nemetz Team – Keller Williams Integrity First, Jasmine Holmes and Jenny Satcher of 910 West, John Webster of Executive Millwork, and David Scott of First Western Bank. These professionals bring diverse perspectives from real estate, marketing, craftsmanship, and finance, offering students invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed in business and beyond. Their support ensures that every student has access to practical advice, encouragement, and real-world wisdom.
What’s Next: Milestones on the Horizon
- Field Trip 2: To the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences
- Refined Prototypes: Incorporating feedback into version 2.0 and beyond.
- Pitch Readiness: Story structure, financial basics, and how to communicate value clearly.
- Showcase Event: Students will present to community members, mentors, and potential partners.
How the Community Can Support
- Sponsor Pitch Contest: Join us at our pitch contest in February – details coming soon or provide prizes for the students!
- Sponsor Program: Financial support to sustain the program.
Contact: Elaine Kessler, elaine@gilbertchamber.com