May 20, 2016
Can you imagine a world without new businesses? Where new ideas, new products and new jobs aren’t developed? Sadly, this is a reality. The state of entrepreneurship in the United States is on the decline, dropping nearly 30 percent during the economic collapse and has been on a steady decline since 1978. Fewer new businesses mean fewer new jobs. A U.S. Labor Department statistic shows that companies less than one year old contributed 5.2 million jobs in 2014, dropping from 6 million jobs that were generated in 2013.
The OtterCares Foundation and OtterBox are working hard to curb this trend. By inspiring and equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs with the skills they need to pursue new ideas, develop new businesses and create new jobs. Through various programs, students in Northern Colorado and San Diego are exposed to entrepreneurial and philanthropic education, helping to foster the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
From left to right: Caroline Wendt, Tiana Noble, Caiden Boyt, AJ Ott, Tyler Hobbs, Nancy Richardson and Curt RIchardson
One program in particular is focused on supporting future entrepreneurs eager to hone their business skills and prepare for business ownership. Established in 2007, the OtterBox Entrepreneur Scholarship was created to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in local students. This year, OtterBox proudly awarded five students the OtterBox Entrepreneur Scholarship. 40 students from six different Poudre School District schools applied for the scholarship. Out of those 40 applicants, five exceptional entrepreneurial students were recognized and honored as recipients of the 2016 scholarship.
- Caiden Boyt: Caiden, graduating from Poudre High School, is planning on studying business at Fort Lewis College. Caiden had a lawn mowing business as well as started a YouTube channel with friends, sharing videos about unicycling and fly-fishing. He hopes to one day open his own fly-fishing guide company.
- Tyler Hobbs:Tyler, graduating from Fossil Ridge High School, is planning on studying photography and graphic design at Colorado State University. She started her entrepreneurial venture by opening a photography business, and has already been booked for weddings, family portraits and senior photo sessions. Tyler hopes to one day become a destination wedding photographer.
- Tiana Noble: Tiana, graduating from Fossil Ridge High School, is planning to study business and marketing at the University of Colorado. Tiana has a passion for fashion, and her dream is to work in the fashion industry, one day creating an internationally known brand.
- AJ Ott:AJ, graduating from Fort Collins High School, is planning on studying business finance at Colorado State University. AJ is an accomplished golfer and hopes to become a financial advisor after graduating from college.
- Caroline Wendt:Caroline, graduating from Fort Collins High School, plans on studying interior design at Colorado State University. Caroline has already launched a business called Pots of Love, selling hand-painted ceramic pots with positive and encouraging messages placed inside, and donates a portion of her proceeds to support women’s empowerment.
All of us at the OtterCares Foundation and OtterBox congratulate this year’s scholarship recipients! We can’t wait to see how these scholarship recipients live out their dreams and make the world a better place!