The energy in the room wasn’t just celebratory — it was electric. These weren’t your average graduates. They were CEOs, founders, and visionaries. And most of them couldn’t yet drive a car.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) wrapped up its 12th annual session on June 10 with a graduation event that highlighted more than just diplomas. The 15 students, aged 11 to 18, had spent the past 20 weeks not just learning business — they built one from scratch.

Mesa County Teens Go All-In on Business

They came from middle schools, high schools, and home classrooms across Mesa County. Some wore dress shirts, others rocked sneakers and hoodies. But all shared a common thing: a fire to create something real.

Alessandra Muse, who heads workforce development at the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, described this class as “record-breaking.” Not just for numbers — though enrollment did hit an all-time high — but also for the creativity these teens brought to the table.

One student launched a nail care startup. Another was developing tech accessories. A few were working on social initiatives. There were handmade products, service ideas, and even pitches for nonprofits. It wasn’t just classroom theory. This was the real deal.

Muse put it this way: “Each student’s experience is different, but the goal is always the same — make sure they feel ready to launch.”

Learning the Business World… by Living It

The 20-week course doesn’t mess around. There are no filler assignments or fake scenarios.

Students got to:

• Pitch their business plans to real investors

• Take field trips to Grand Junction businesses

• Meet with local CEOs and founders

• Learn financials, marketing, and legal basics from professionals

• Actually launch their business by the end

There was no hand-holding here. But there was plenty of support.

“You can tell they care,” said Lily Alire, a graduate and now the proud CEO of Pressed & Polished, her own self-made venture. “They want us to succeed, but they let us figure it out.”

And that figuring out? It happened in late-night brainstorming sessions, during lunch breaks, and over coffee with mentors. This wasn’t a typical after-school program. It was more like a startup accelerator disguised as a class.

The Graduation That Meant More Than Just a Certificate

At the ceremony, no one was talking about test scores or grades. Instead, it was about grit, creativity, and confidence.

For Muse and the other instructors, it was a proud moment. “You watch them walk in, nervous, unsure. And then 20 weeks later, they’re presenting their business with this confidence that’s hard to describe,” she said.

Students stood before the crowd and introduced their businesses. They shared what they learned, where they failed, and how they grew. It was personal. And it hit home for a lot of the adults in the room.

Some parents teared up. Some business owners in attendance quietly slipped over to shake students’ hands afterward.

One parent, beaming, said: “I think she believes she can actually do this now — like, for real. That’s huge.”

Record Enrollment, Big Results

The 2025 class wasn’t just large — it was diverse in its ideas and outcomes. Muse emphasized that YEA is still the only program of its kind in Colorado. And that means demand is climbing fast.

Here’s a quick look at the numbers:

Every student who joined this year launched something. Not all of them plan to continue long-term, but many do — and some are already taking online orders.

And yes, some were turning a profit before the program even ended.

What Comes Next? For Some, It’s Just the Beginning

One girl wants to turn her product-based idea into a nonprofit focused on teen mental health. Another boy is working on a patent for his design. A few are talking about pop-up shops this summer.

And the Chamber? They’re already getting calls from younger students asking how to get in next year.

Applications for the January 2026 session will open in the fall, but Muse said they’ve already received over a dozen interest emails.

“It’s getting bigger,” she said. “And we’re going to need more chairs next time.”

It Wasn’t Just a Class — It Was an Identity Shift

What surprised many students wasn’t what they learned — but how they changed.

Some came in shy and unsure. Others had never spoken in front of a crowd, let alone pitched to investors. But by the end? They weren’t just talking the talk — they were walking it.

• A 13-year-old who once mumbled in class ended up landing local sponsors.
• A 16-year-old with social anxiety pitched confidently in front of 50 people.
• Several students built working websites, ordered inventory, and made their first sale — all before the ceremony.

“This academy made me believe I could actually be an entrepreneur,” one graduate shared quietly.

And that belief? That’s worth more than any textbook lesson.