MSU Extension 4-H Youth Entrepreneurship

Celebrate the heritage of entrepreneurship in America during the annual National Entrepreneur Week, which falls during the third week of February. National Entrepreneur Week is a chartered initiative by Congress founded in 2006 through the collaborative work of the National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, the Kauffman Foundation and the 109th Congress.

This week is an opportunity to thank entrepreneurs for their contributions, innovations, economic vision and building prosperity across America. Is there someone in your community that is an advocate for entrepreneurial education, has met a social need, has strong entrepreneurial values or contributes to the local economy? Show appreciation for their hard work and investment by inviting them to your program, event or school and featuring them in local newsletters, webpages and social media sites.

National Entrepreneurship Week is also an opportunity to engage community members in a conversation about how to increase entrepreneurial literacy among all. Thinking outside the box, solving problems creatively and developing basic business sense benefits the employer, employee, student and community. Expand your entrepreneurial mindset by engaging in a conversation with other stakeholders across the country in an upcoming National Entrepreneurship Week webinar.

Any organization, school, college or business can sponsor an event during National Entrepreneurship Week. Another way to increase entrepreneurial literacy among all is by sponsoring a community Ask the Entrepreneur program where entrepreneurs can showcase their business while sharing their expertise with attendees. According to a recent Gallup poll, opportunities to learn and develop connections with experienced business owners are what many students have indicated are missing in their local schools. Creating an entrepreneurial networking opportunity might just be what is needed to spur a new partnership or mentorship. Consider hosting an event or using a lesson kickstarter to stir the creativity of your group.

Michigan State University has many entrepreneurship tools to increase entrepreneurial literacy and resources to support National Entrepreneurship Week. Adult workshops such as Cottage Food Law, Money Smart for Business and Fast Trak New Venture Curriculum are taught by Michigan State University Extension entrepreneurial experts throughout the year. Youth entrepreneurship programs are also offered across the state through Michigan 4-H.

For additional information on this topic, see the following MSU Extension articles:

• Creating the next generation of entrepreneurs
• Creating the next generation of entrepreneurs, “in practice”