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Kids in Business

Story and Photos by Kerly Suffren

 

Most businessmen or women didnžt begin at age nine.

However, for the youth attending Playing 2 Winžs entrepreneurship seminar, theyžve got a quick start at what making money is all about. For Kevin Maultrie a 14-year-old resident of the Bronx, the experience was a very rewarding one. "This class taught me how to become a businessman," he said. Many kids throughout the community learned how to create and start a business. They learned about product cost and customer service. Equipped with that knowledge, all the kids in the class started their own business.

The kids learned how to develop and make t-shirts using their computer skills and pictures taken throughout Harlem. They developed logos such as " Harlem 2000 " and "Before you can be a New Yorker you have to dress like one." Following the start of their new business, the kids displayed many of their products to their parents at the end of the week long seminar.

Amongst those at the presentation was councilman speaker Bill Perkins as well as young businessman Joseph Park. Park started Kozmo.com, an online video delivery company. Kozmo delivers videos and snacks throughout Manhattan in one hour or less. Park spoke to the kids about the important aspects of a business, the importance of customer service and much more. Park was an investment banker on Wall Street until 1997, when he left. He left to start Kozmo.com, which he estimates would bring revenue of 20 million dollars next year. The kids were very inspired by his accomplishment and they all hope for their own businesses to take off as well.

Indeed with their energy and eagerness to learn, I have no doubt theyžll reach their goals. But for those who were not so fortunate to attend the program at Playing 2 Win to learn how to become a business person, Kevin Maultrie has this advice, " Just come to the program and Ižll teach them what Ižve learned."


Read Kerly's original story on Playing 2 Win

 

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