Be Noble Inc. and Thrive Noble County are working to increase the number of entrepreneurs across Noble County by providing a pathway for teens to gain traction, receive feedback, and grow in their entrepreneurial interests.
Local efforts are getting a boost through NoblePalooza, an Expo to Thrive, coming to the Community Learning Center in March. Organizers have announced the opening of applications for Noble County teens to participate in NoblePalooza’s Youth Business Fair.
The community has long supported teens engaged at The Crew Youth Center in Kendallville by attending the organization’s annual business fair, where students showcase unique products and hone their entrepreneurial skills. Over the past two years, The Crew’s youth business fair has taken place during NoblePalooza. This year, event organizers decided to expand the scope of the event by offering all high school aged students from across Noble County the opportunity to participate in NoblePalooza’s Youth Business Fair. Kids from The Crew, as well as others from across Noble County, are invited to join in the fun.
The NoblePalooza Youth Business Fair is free and open to all high school-aged kids living or attending school in Noble County to show off their entrepreneurial spirit, ranging from sharing an idea to selling established products and services. What makes this fair different than some similar efforts is a commitment by organizers to provide meaningful feedback through one-on-one coaching to every youth who applies, regardless of how far along in their journey they are.
“The intent of NoblePalooza’s Youth Business Fair is to ensure no kid is left behind or made to feel like they are not far enough along to be a part of this community experience,” explained event coordinator Lori Gagen. “Kids can apply to sell their products and services, or just be present to learn from one another, build relationships, identify mentors, pitch their concepts, and receive feedback from the community. We have local business coaches lined up to help ensure every teen who applies has an opportunity to grow.”
Gagen’s colleague, Tara Streb, is collaborating with Steve Franks, entrepreneurship program director for Believe in a Dream, to identify and begin building relationships with youth in Noble County in hopes that NoblePalooza’s Youth Business Fair can become a pathway to even more opportunities within the region to grow and launch their businesses. Franks, along with individuals at organizations like the Northeast Indiana Innovation Collective (NIIC), are poised to continue working with young entrepreneurs as they move past high school.
The application to participate in NoblePalooza’s Youth Business Fair is simple, by design, and available online at thrivenoblecounty.org/youth-business-fair. Applications can be submitted electronically or on paper and must be submitted by February 9. Streb is coordinating with Franks to connect with local educators who are currently tasked with nurturing young minds interested in starting their own businesses to help pitch the event. Any adults who wish to connect to help kids learn about the fair are encouraged to reach out to Streb at (260) 636-3800 or by email at tara@noblecountyedc.com.
Participation in the business fair is free and a number of applicants will be invited to use exhibit space at the expo to sell their products and services. Others will be provided space to network and engage with the community. NoblePalooza is expected to attract hundreds of community members and highlights nearly 100 local organizations who provide services to community members, volunteer, and leadership opportunities, and more; a marketplace featuring locally-owned small businesses including artisans, business service providers, and others; and the Noble County Master Gardeners Symposium, featuring multiple workshops for growers at all levels to learn about a variety of topics related to food and flower production.
NoblePalooza, an Expo to Thrive, is free and open to all ages to attend. Attendees have opportunities to win a variety of great door prizes from exhibitors and vendors, and other freebies. The event will take place on Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Learning Center, 401 E Diamond Street, in Kendallville. For more information, visit thrivenoblecounty.org/noblepalooza.
