Challenge helps develop young professionals
There’s not many youth who have a business of their own; complete with a sales pitch and business model and to be able to promote it in front of a crowd.
Many middle school and high school students showed off their business skills during the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge earlier this year at Kansas State University.
Competition specifics
K-State Research and Extension, Kansas 4-H, along with Network Kansas are partners in the program. Local individual competitions called Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge are held in 64 counties and communities across the state.
A participant must win at the local level to qualify for state competition. An additional 15 wildcard entries are also allowed to compete. Once at state, participants will do a presentation, submit an executive summary and have a trade show booth.
Kansas 4-H youth development program leader Sarah Maass said in a news release the trade show at the state competition gives business owners “prime opportunity” to showcase their product or service.
“It is fun to have those conversations and to see their passion and enthusiasm for their work,” Maass said.
Through the competition, youth will better understand their business models and hopefully develop skills like public speaking and responsibility. They also learn the value of taking part in something much larger than themselves.
Bailee Henry, Network Kansas manager of entrepreneurship programming, eCommunity Partnership, believes youth who participate in programs like YEC and other similar programs play an important role in empowering the next generation of leaders.
“We also see students bring new and innovative ideas as well as learn new skills through the process,” Henry said.
The process is empowering for participants and many start to be empowered and see themselves as entrepreneurs.
“Those that embrace the process can be connected with mentors, learn financial literacy, and gain practical public speaking skills,” she said.
Judges for the state challenge include other business entrepreneurs, Extension professionals, economic developers, bankers and others who know what it takes to start a business. Contestants become eligible to win cash prizes and a people’s choice award at the trade show.
What it does
Rural business development is important in many states. KYEC is a competition for student-led businesses, which encourages entrepreneurship at a young age.
“A program like the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge equips youth entrepreneurs with real-world skills, confidence, and experiences that prepare them for future success,” Zaira N Ruiz, 4-H regional specialist, Kansas State University said. “By creating a business from the ground up, youth learn problem-solving, creativity, and innovation while also developing essential life skills like teamwork, communication and time management.”
Youth write a business plan and conduct a needs assessment. By pitching their idea to judges it builds critical thinking and hones public speaking skills. A little competition never hurts either.
“The competitive element and opportunity for financial awards also motivates youth to refine their ideas and take pride in their work,” she said. “Most importantly, the program helps youth see themselves as capable leaders and change-makers, giving them the tools and confidence to pursue their goals, contribute to their communities, and explore future education or career opportunities in entrepreneurship and beyond.”
Patsy Maddy, special projects administrator, Kansas 4-H Youth Development, K-State Extension, said these entrepreneurs face challenges, not only with the competition, but as business owners as well.
“The biggest challenge youth entrepreneurs face is turning their creative ideas into sustainable, realistic business models,” Maddy said. “At the contest itself, many participants are challenged to clearly communicate their ideas, organize a full business plan, and manage nerves when presenting in front of judges.”
Entrants are often faced with the challenge of finding start-up capital while balancing school and other commitments to running a business—and matters like navigating uncertainties of marketing, setting prices and serving customers.
“These challenges are also some of the most valuable learning experiences that teach resilience, problem-solving, and persistence, which are at the heart of entrepreneurship,” she said.
What was gained
Henry said those that excel in the program are naturals at identifying problems and finding solutions—a key skill for an entrepreneur.
“Year after year, students share how empowered they feel after participating,” she said. “For many, it is the first time they truly consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path. Some pitch businesses they are already running, like lawn care services, while others present creative ideas for boutiques, tech solutions, or services they would love to bring to their community.”
Through this experience, students often gain a new perspective on the needs within their communities and what it might look like to step up and meet those needs.
“While not every idea turns into a long-term business, the exposure and confidence they gain are lasting,” Henry said.
Maddy and Ruiz said youth also gain a wide range of practical, professional and personal skills from participating in a competition like KYEC.
“Among these skills are critical thinking and problem-solving, communication and presentation knowledge, financial and business literacy, creativity and innovation, collaboration and leadership, and resilience and adaptability,” Ruiz said. “These are entrepreneurial and lifelong skills that prepare youth to be leaders, employees, and community members who can think critically, communicate effectively, and act with confidence in any career path.”
Maddy said the winners typically stand out because they go beyond having a good idea.
“They can clearly demonstrate the value of their business and present it with confidence,” she said. “These youth have strong communication skills, have researched their market and customers, and are creative in offering unique and innovative products and services.”
These youth tend to show professionalism along with passion, confidence and pride in their businesses.
“Ultimately, winners shine because they combine a solid business plan with the personal drive and presentation skills needed to bring their ideas to life,” Maddy said.
The event has been going on for about a dozen years, and Ruiz said the participants and winners have been “overwhelmingly positive.” Entry numbers and participants continue to increase each year.
According to Maddy, there were 48 participants in 2013-14, which was the first year. In 2023-24, there were 1,159 participants.
Future
Maddy and Ruiz are looking forward to continued growth in KYEC competitions across the state with the increased involvement of Kansas State University Extension professionals. This will be the third year collaborating with Network Kansas, the College of Business Administration and Venture Dash, in providing a showcase event for young entrepreneurs.
“The addition of the Entrepreneurship project in the Kansas 4-H program will also spark an interest in our 4-H members to develop their entrepreneurial mindset in creating a conceptual or existing business,” Ruiz said.
The 2026 event is set for April 28 and 29.
Entrepreneurs in 2025 were awarded in the following categories:
Finalist: Arbor Art–Phillips County–Wildcard; Aspire 3D–Logan County; Bling & Green–Neosho County; DebateDoc–Saline County–Wildcard; Evie’s Nutrition–Crawford County–Wildcard; Fruta Fiesta Designs–Rice County–Wildcard; J&P Precision Aerial Applications–Cheyenne County; Keller Cotton Candy Company–Ford County; Maxwell Kids Farm to Table–Pawnee County; Seeded by Aranzadi–Hodgeman County; Smoky River Pumpkin Patch, LLC–Lincoln County; Super Yard Bros Creations–Montgomery County; The Kansas Voice–Barton County; Thomas 3D–Elk County; Tymbersmith–Saline County–Wildcard; Vivian’s Slime–Anderson County
Exemplary: Alayna’s Jewelry–Shawnee County; Bound 2 Brew–Sedgewick County; Chargelet–Phillips County; Don’t Panic AI Tutors–Douglas County; Gotcha Gutters–Ellis County; Ice on Wheels–Barton County–Wildcard; Jayci’s Delightful Goodies–Norton County; Katie’s Car Freshies–Wabaunsee County; LaRosh Layers–Osborne County–Wildcard; M1 Pool Maintenance–Saline County; PAWsitively Perfect Pet Sitting–Osborne County; Raising Regenerative–Smith County; The Curly Collective–Riley County–Wildcard; Wovenique–Seward County–Wildcard.
The students also had the opportunity to participate in a tradeshow to showcase their businesses. The public was invited to attend and vote for their favorite businesses.
Tradeshow People’s Choice Award: 1st: Heaven on Ice–Morton County. 2nd: Katie’s Car Freshies–Wabaunsee County. 3rd: Daily Dough–Bourbon County. 4th: CozyCo Candles–Finney County.
The following were recognized for their outstanding and ongoing support of the YEC Series.
YEC Champion Award: Tristen Cope–Extension Agent, Chisholm Trail District. Julie Smith–Extension Agent, Wildcat District. Nora Rhoades–Extension Agent, Post Rock District. Carrie Poe–Business Advisor, KU SBDC. Alexis O’Hair–Economic Development Director–Morton County. Jessica Dinkel–Tourism and Events Director–Sherman County. Marquetta Atkins-Woods–Executive Director, Destination Innovation–Wichita
The Kansas communities that hosted a local YEC series event include: Allen County, Anderson County, Barber County, Barton County, Bourbon County, Butler County, Chase County, Chautauqua County, Cherokee County, Cheyenne County, Clay County, Cloud County, Cowley County, Crawford County, Douglas County, Decatur County, Elk County, Ellis County, Ellsworth County, Finney County, Ford County, Franklin County, Graham County, Greeley County, Harvey County, Hodgeman County, Jewell County, Kiowa County, Labette County, Leavenworth County, Lincoln County, Linn County, Logan County, Marion County, McPherson County, Mitchell County, Montgomery County, Morris County, Morton County, Neosho County, Norton County, Osborne County, Pawnee County, Phillips County, Pottawatomie County, Rawlins County, Reno County, Republic County, Rice County, Riley County, Rooks County, Saline County, Sedgwick County, Seward County, Shawnee County, Sherman County, Smith County, Stafford County, Sumner County, Thomas County, Wabaunsee County, Wichita County, and Wyandotte County. Additional communities were invited to participate.
For more information visit www.youtheshipchallenge.com.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
