ITEM: Biz Camp Encourages Youth Entrepreneurship

It's been all business on the campus of Centenary College the past couple of weeks.

No, I'm not talking about a special summer college session where they cram 3 months of work into 12 days (including Saturdays).


The "business" I'm talking about is a camp geared toward turning bright young Caddo Parish students into future business owners -- BIZ CAMP.

BIZ CAMP is a two-week summer camp that is sponsored by ICE (the Inner City Entrepreneur Institute), Caddo Parish Schools and SUSLA.


The camp began nine years ago as a program under ICE. The idea developed after State Representative Roy Burrell learned about the same sort of program working wonders for kids in other states.


Through funding from the Caddo Parish School Board, nearly a dozen teachers were trained to teach entrepreneurship under the NFTE Biz Camp Model, and in 2000, Shreveport's BIZ CAMP was born.

BIZ CAMP teaches young people, ages 12 to 23, the skills needed to own and operate businesses.

The camp's goal is to not only encourage entrepreneurship, but also to keep young people (and the businesses they create) invested in their own community by staying here to build their business.


This summer, nearly 50 youth attended BIZ CAMP. They learned everything from creating a business plan to compiling an expense report. The students do a LOT in a very short amount of time.

Camp Director and retired Caddo teacher Lena Livingston (not pictured) says the students receive "rigorous" training; training equivalent to a college student studying for an MBA.


"We take a lot of field trips, and have a lot of speakers. Two of our speakers this year gave students the specifics on business tactics and strategies," Livingston explains. "We also took a field trip to the Shreveport Business Incubator. It lets the students know there are places like this for them to go for help."


The BIZ CAMP does its best to nurture the students' entrepreneurial spirit, and the students I talked to seemed to have learned a lot about what it takes to own and operate a business.


"It definitely takes work ... and dedication," says 12-year-old Keira White, a Benton Middle School student who is an aspiring fashion designer.


Her fellow camper, 13-year-old Adam Dodd (of Caddo Middle Magnet) agrees:


"You can’t just go (to work) for two hours and say 'Ok, time to take a break', you can’t stop and start and expect it to succeed," he adds.

Adam (pictured, above right) and Kiera (pictured above left) are both first-time camp attendees.


They'd already completed their business presentations (which were judged by a panel on Wednesday) by the time I arrived for my visit. So they sat down and talked with me about their business ideas, and about BIZ CAMP in general.


Kiera created a business called D.I.V.A. (Dreamy, Incredible, Vibrant, Amazing) Clothing. She hopes to create a nationwide franchise that will cater to the woman on a budget and provide clothing for all ages and sizes


"It's hard to find something that's nice and cute, and not too revealing, that will last ... and that's not $500," the young fashionista reveals.

Adam created a non-profit organization called Eagle's Nest. Through his organization, he plans to open Homeless Hotels for people in need. They'll provide rooms to those down on their luck and job and/or financial assistance to those who have been laid off or have lost their homes to foreclosure.


"The word 'shelter' sounds so bad. So we call them 'hotels' to make people feel more at home, until they get on their feet," Adam explains.


Mrs. Livingston says his idea is one of those that definitely stood at at this year's camp. She adds that it could very well become a reality with all the stimulus funding toward project just like it.

Since Adam had a non-profit, he had to learn about getting government funding and seeking out investors. Kiera's for-profit business meant she had to learn about getting loans and about creating a Projected Income Statement.


After both completed their business plans, they embarked on a very important field trip to a wholesale warehouse in Vivian. Each camper is given $50 to spend towards their business idea. They can buy anything they want.


Kiera bought accessories (of course), to promote her love for fashion. Adam couldn't buy something in tune with his business venture, so he bought knickknacks to sell to both kids and adults.

They'll sell these items at the BIZ CAMP MARKETPLACE, set up at the Louisiana Boardwalk. The marketplace will open at Noon Today (Thursday).

Businesses designed by campers include clothing and accessory stores, a car detailing shop, a 24-hour daycare and a fitness center.

One camper couldn't technically SELL his business at the Marketplace, so he used his money at the warehouse to buy drinks to sell to marketplace patrons. (Smart boy!)


With his profit, Adam plans to pay tithes to his church first and then put the rest up for a new car when he turns 17.



Mrs. Livingston says the Marketplace gives students a chance to test-run their ideas as well as interact with customers. Oh! and of course they get to keep all their profits :) (Last year the top seller made nearly $300!).


So go out and support the kids today (if you can). And if you can't, remember them next year. And send your own future business owner out there too! :)


This is a GREAT effort to turn smart kids into successful business owners, and should be supported!

BIZ CAMP officially ends Friday (6.26) with a graduation ceremony. The keynote speaker will be a graduate of the very first BIZ CAMP, who now owns his own business, KickMeClothing, and run his own BIZ CAMP from the campus of Morehouse College.

Just goes to show you that BIZ CAMP really makes an impact. A camper from today, could become the Russell Simmons, Tyra Banks or OPRAH of tomorrow!

• To see more photos from BIZ CAMP ... go HERE.