The KID trade program through the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce offers resources and mentoring of high school and high school students in order for them to start their own business.
Thirteen -year -old Caela Ryan did not realize that running a business in the summer market of canyon “Meet me on the road” was not as easy as it seemed.
But when the American High School student brought to the event, her high school student brought her happy business, she quickly learned the importance of serving with a smile.
Customer service was just one of the skills Ryan learned through the children’s trade program. This 10-week course through the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce teaches high school students on how to start a business in preparation for the city’s summer market.
Ryan has been part of the program since its inception in 2023. She said as she learned some money management skills in her high school classes, she did not prepare her to run a business just as the children’s trade program did.
“I think it tells the kids that they can do things themselves, it’s not just always for adults,” Ryan said. “This tells them how to be more responsible and manage money,” Ryan said.
In addition to the importance of time management, product consistency and perseverance, Ryan found joy at the beginning of a business he was passionate about.
“Judah is just a lot of fun. You can create many memories here and make new friends and you can learn how to build a business, ”Ryan said.
For her work inspiring dozens of young entrepreneurs in Napa District Like Ryan, the room received a regional award.
Children Trade was one of the four awarded programs of 2024’s Views of 2024 by the Western Association of Room Leaders in the Small Chambers of Commerce. The association is made up of rooms in 10 countries including California, Colorado and Montana.
“It is a great achievement for our small room here in the American Canyon and we are really proud of the children’s trade program,” said American Chamber of Commerce Valerie Zizak-Morais.
She said the program began two years ago after some students approached her about the sale in the annual market of the city’s summer popup “meet me on the street”.
She said she had to remove them as they did not have the right licenses to sell in the market.
This inspired it and the room to start the program to help students receive all the necessary local enrollments, licenses and certificates with a local mandate. The program covers costs for these certificates and the city of America Canyon offered a free business license for each student’s business to sell inside the city.
In addition to the legalities involved in starting a business, the 10-week program offers mentoring and training for students in the brand, building online platforms and sales tips.
“I think it’s important for kids to see leaders in the business community here in the country. This inspires them to want to work more,” Zizak-Morais said. “Even watching students of returning children who return … It helps new students in the room see that it is possible.”
In his first year, every student attending K-12 schools had the right to attend, and 32 students received their business licenses. In the second year, only high school students were right. Eleven new businesses were mined that second year, and there were 23 license renovations.
Businesses went from food retailers and craft -made crafts, to jewelery and vintage clothing. The president of the room said they do not limit the type of businesses, but encourage students to do their studies first.
She said through the program students are receiving information that may not usually be available at school.
“Hard hard for them to always know the process and where to go and how to find the correct resources to start a business,” said Zizak-Morais. “So with us providing this platform and these mentors from the business community really allows them to have a direct, quick way to get a starting business.”
Zizak-Morais said they have already started this year’s program. She said in the future, they hope to expand to other markets and create more opportunities for students to display their business skills.
You can reach staff writer Melanie Ngyen in 707-521-5457 OR Melanie.nguyen@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @Mellybelly119