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Turning Young Ideas Into Opportunities

Steppin' Out Jr. Young Entrepreneurs Club

Conneaut Youth Center

Steppin' Out Jr. Young Entrepreneurs Club logo — four young vendors with plants, jars, and produce under a blue gazebo strung with lights, the club name on a banner, and the tagline Dream, Create, Grow

About the Young Entrepreneurs Club

The Steppin' Out Jr. Young Entrepreneurs Club helps youth discover the excitement and responsibility of starting a small business. Participants learn budgeting, product development, pricing, marketing, branding, customer service, and sales through practical activities that encourage creativity, confidence, and financial literacy.

Every meeting is built around doing, not just listening. Young entrepreneurs brainstorm ideas, make real products, practice their pitch, and experience the pride of earning through their own effort.

The club carries the founding legacy of the Creek Rd Kids Bridge — the kid-powered, entrepreneurial tradition Katie began at the Covered Bridge Festival — bringing that same spirit to the Conneaut Youth Center.

Young Entrepreneurs in Action

From first idea to first sale — snapshots of our young business owners at work.

Young entrepreneurs working at tables during the club's first session, sketching product plans and filling out their planning sheets at the Conneaut Youth Center
Club members around the table sharing their business ideas during the first Young Entrepreneurs Club session, with the group's idea board on the table
The idea board from the club's first session, listing business ideas including plushies, a tea house, board games, custom engraved designs with a 3D printer, wish jars, babysitting, pet sitting, and no-bake cookies

Club Updates

Follow the young entrepreneurs as they brainstorm, build, practice their pitches, and take products to market.

First Session: Eight Young Entrepreneurs Get to Work

The Steppin' Out Jr. Young Entrepreneurs Club held its first session at the Conneaut Youth Center with 8 participants registered — and they got right to work.

The evening's focus was brainstorming. Each young entrepreneur explored what they might make, do, or sell, and the group built an idea board together: plushies, a tea house, board games, custom engraved designs with samples and a 3D printer, wish jars, babysitting, pet sitting, and no-bake cookies.

With planning sheets and pencils in hand, everyone started sketching out their first products and thinking through who their customers might be.

It was a strong start — full of creativity, questions, and big plans. We can't wait to see where these young business owners take their ideas next.

Want to support a young entrepreneur? Mentors, craft and business supplies, and donations all help these kids shine.

Whether you want to volunteer, partner with us, sponsor program needs, or make a referral, there's a place for you on this path.

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