By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Students from across the River Parishes came together to kick-off the launch phase of the 2013 River Region Young Entrepreneurs Academy at John L. Ory Communications Magnet School on Thursday evening.
The academy, which is sponsored by the River Region Chamber of Commerce, is designed to foster the students’ existing business ideas and educate them on the fundamentals of turning their plans into real and lucrative businesses in the community.
Eight students, representing grades six through 12, presented their ideas before a small gathering of supporters in the lobby of the school: Jarron Williams, BlitzTech (East St. John High School); Evan Simoneaux, Language Linguistics (St. Joan of Arc School); Emira Baloney, Seven Currents Energy (Lutcher High School); Hope Tobin, Hope’s Bowtique (St. Charles Borromeo School); Kevin Fernandez, Cyclops Incorporated; Eden Keller, Pep Promotions (East St. John High School); Breanna Bailey, Studious Learning (St. James High School); and Judy Chen, PB&C (East St. John High School).
Four students of the academy were not present: Jordan Brown, Caitlin Collins, Ashley Octave and Darielle Robertson.
“It is an intense program. These young future business owners have gone from an idea, and in a few months will formally launch their business and make products and sell services to actual customers. They will have checking accounts. They will be real and thriving businesses. As I like to say, the newest businesses of the River Region,” said Buddy Boe, program manager.
Emira Baloney said that she came up with her idea because she had worked with generators before. The aspiring architect also said the program looks great on a college application.  
“I’ve done a bicycle-powered generator. This just seemed smaller-scale but more efficient,” she said. “My business will be designing a hydro-powered generator that can be used to power things such as iPhones or iPads or computers — anything in case of an emergency where you need to keep in contact with someone.”
Kameron Fernandez said that his business, Cyclops Media, will make ads and logos for companies that can no longer afford to work with advertising departments. Fernandez said that it wasn’t the original idea that he started with.
“What I wanted to do was make my own cartoon series, but it seemed too broad, and it would take a lot to get it on television, so I decided to start smaller by helping other companies,” he said.
Judy Chen’s company, PB&C, will make consumers feel less guilty about satisfying those junk food cravings.
“PB&C stands for peanut butter and chocolate. It’s basically a melted down Reese’s cup in a spread form, but instead of Reese’s, it is all-natural peanuts. It’s homemade, it’s locally grown, there’s no artificial flavors with only natural preservatives.”
The student participants said they feel the academy, though rigorous, provides them with a significant step-up into the challenges of the real world. Baloney, Chen and Fernandez said the curriculum focuses on practical lessons as well as business sense, such as insurance and managing household income. All three students said they enjoyed participating and saw it as a valuable opportunity.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a free program that takes place over the course of an entire academic year. Graduates of the academy will also receive complimentary membership to the River Region Chamber of Commerce. The program includes mentorship by several community figures: Natalie Tatje of Tatje Insurance; Spuddy Faucheux of Spuddy’s Catering; Dianne Sclafani and Al Overman of Louisiana Small Business Development; Chuck Marceaux of Service Corps of Retired Executives; Florence Dumas of Entergy; and Jennifer Grigsby of The Mosaic Company.