April 24, 2008

Young entrepreneurs to sell creations at market

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A group of 53 young entrepreneurs from Lewis School in Carbondale will offer the products and services they've worked on throughout the semester at the Carbondale Farmer's Market on Saturday, April 26.

Their displays at the market, in the Westtown Plaza parking lot from 8 a.m. until noon, are the result of their work with the Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center, within the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Office of Economic and Regional Development.


Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover Saturday's display and sale conducted by Lewis School's young entrepreneurs. It's set for 8 a.m. until noon at the Carbondale Farmer's Market.


The Office of Economic and Regional Development has assisted Betsy Brown, Lewis School academically talented teacher, this semester in working with the children to enhance their business knowledge and acumen. Special activities included an etiquette dinner at the SIUC Student Center, a presentation by guest speaker and local businesswoman Laura Harbaugh, a marketing day at the SIUC College of Business and Administration computer lab and an international luncheon at Hunan Restaurant.

Students worked on logo designs and business cards with assistance from Entrepreneurship Center staff to help promote their "businesses" and the sales events. The students will proffer a wide variety of handcrafted items at the market Saturday.

The final activity they'll participate in with the Entrepreneurship Center will be business plan presentations at Lewis School May 1. An awards presentation is set for May 28 during the Lewis School awards assembly.

For more information about the innovative programming, contact the Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center at 618/453-3805.