Ohio Business Week gives students tools

High school students will compete by creating their own ‘paper’ companies.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — More than 125 students from across Ohio, including 25 from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, will participate in Ohio Business Week at Youngstown State University Sunday to Saturday.

“YSU plays a crucial role in helping the foundation prepare Ohio’s youth for future leadership roles in the business community,” said Nancy Whetstone, executive director of the Ohio Business Week Foundation. “After attending OBW at YSU, students will emerge from the program with the skills necessary for success in higher education and the work force.”

High school freshmen, sophomores and juniors participate in the program.

They work together to form companies and learn business skills, concepts and theories from local and regional business leaders and compete in activities that promote leadership and ingenuity. They also learn about entrepreneurship by developing a business plan, a marketing plan and a financial plan for a start-up business.

Advisers and guest speakers represent large and small businesses from around the state. Students will attend workshops on elements of cost, marketing and advertising, personal finance, business communications, ethics, customer service and entrepreneurship. Most activities will take place in Kilcawley Center.

“We strongly believe in preparing Ohio’s youth for success in the American free enterprise system,” said Betty Jo Licata, dean of YSU’s Williamson College of Business Administration. “Each summer, Ohio Business Week participants leave our campus with a better understanding of entrepreneurship, business success and ethical business practices.”

Participants are assigned to a “company” with 10-12 other students and a loaned executive called a company adviser. The students develop an idea for a new business venture; complete business, financial and marketing plans; construct a trade show display; develop an advertisement or Web page; and create a TV or radio commercial.

At the end of the week, the companies compete in the Emerging Entrepreneur Project Competition. To prepare students for the competition, the foundation relies on business leaders from across the state of Ohio to provide mentoring and expertise to the student teams.

OBW students also will tour local companies, including AVI Food Systems, Home Savings & Loan Co., Schwebel Baking Co., Aerolite Extrusions, Great Harvest Bread Co., Wendell August Forge, The Vindicator, WFMJ-TV-21 and Vinylume Products.