This year we are pleased to report a very strong set of Young Entrepreneurs Award winners. The competition was so good that the selection committee decided to give three additional Honorable Mention Awards! Congratulations to all competitors and awardees - you ALL rock!
The overall $1,000 Young Entrepreneurs Award winner is Morgan Gullett, 15, of Allen County.
Morgan co-owns a film production company (MG Entertainment, LLC) and was busy this summer filming two music videos. She has won numerous awards for her writing, production, acting, and casting for the shorts and music videos she has already produced - and has a feature film concept in the early stages of development. To say that she does it all would perhaps be an understatement. Visit her website to learn more.
The next four Young Entrepreneurs Awardees each won a $500 award.
Cameron Cage, 16, of Allen County operates The Flame Candle
Cameron has been selling candles since he was twelve. Over the years, he has done what all highly successful entrepreneurs do - he listened to his customers and fine tuned his business for them. By finding the right product niche, The Flame Candle is on track to beat 2020’s $80,000 revenue and hit six figures in 2021. Cameron credits part of his success to mentor Tony Hudson, the Executive Director of Blue Jacket. Thanks, Tony, for inspiring such a successful Young Entrepreneur!
Ben Richards, 20, of Allen County operates film production company Richards Entertainment.
Currently studying media at Indiana University, Ben already has produced two feature films, The Forge Reclamation and the just-released Moira. Not one to rest on his laurels, Ben has his third feature film already in development. And, he does some freelance commercial video as well. A staunch believer in Indiana filmmaking, Ben wants to eventually work with other IU grads and Indiana resident filmmakers to grow the film industry right here.
Sydney Hefty, 18, and Matthias Hefty, 15, of DeKalb County operate Acacia Ranch Show Goats
This sister and brother team have been operating this business for a few years now. What started as a way to help local 4-H students to raise and show goats has grown into a successful business! They still provide help (like coaching) to 4-H students and families, but their business model has grown to include a farm-to-fork component. They buy back the show goats from the 4-H families and take care of butchering and distribution. Fun fact - some of Northeast Indiana’s strong immigrant populations are some of the biggest regional markets for goat meat - and now they can get it fresh. fresh, fresh! Lastly, please congratulate Sydney and Matthias for placing second in the entire State of Indiana at the 2021 Innovate WithIN student venture pitch competition!
Jade Henry, 13, of Allen County operates More Than Just an Art
When your grandfather is John Dortch, Fort Wayne’s most prolific entrepreneur mentor, it’s pretty much pre-ordained that you will catch that entrepreneurial spirit. When Mr. Dortch gifted her an LLC at the age of 9, she dug in and got started. As a talented artist, she started selling her artwork. Jade then did what many successful entrepreneurs do. She listened to what her customers wanted (and bought) and pivoted her business in that direction. That took to her to focusing on selling handmade bracelets (made with her own creative touch, of course). Here’s a rhetorical question for you - how many middle schools students do you know who have successfully operated a business for four years?
The final three awardees caught the attention of the selection committee and were each awarded a $100 Honorable Mention Award.
Kyle Weese, 19, of Allen County operates Premier Web Solutions
Kyle started Premier Web Solutions when the pandemic literally shut down his junior year of high school (he recently graduated from New Tech Academy at Wayne HS). Instead of just taking a long extended vacation, Kyle [very entrepreneurially] decided to put his digital art and design skills to work making websites. The selection committee was impressed with Kyle’s work as a salesperson. Between April and November of that year, Kyle called hundreds of businesses until he started getting traction. His hard work certainly paid off! Today he is busy, growing, employs some part time people to help with logo work and copywriting, and has plans to expand further. With that sales attitude, we have no doubt he will succeed big time!
Aidan Custer, 19, of DeKalb County operates Custer and Williams, LLC.
Aidan and his business partner, Simon Williams, run a remodeling and contracting business. Besides having done total house remodels, they keep busy focusing on interior work like painting, drywall repair, flooring repair, and minor electrical work. What is important to note is that Aidan and Simon are graduates of Garrett High School’s Construction Trades Program. A shining example of how to do trades education right, this program is known for being one of the best in the land. We love that it also produces entrepreneurs and new businesses like Custer and Williams! And we love that Aidan and Simon thought (and acted) entrepreneurially!
Mayloni Dial, 15, of Allen County operates Loni’s Bomb Time
The first thing you notice when you visit Mayloni’s website is the breadth of her product line coupled with the professional presentation. For a 15 year old brand new entrepreneur, that signals success for years to come! The selection committee noticed that, too, and awarded Mayloni an Honorable Mention. Go visit the site - or find her at periodic pop-ups - and see for yourself. Indulge yourself a little bit and grab a bath bomb, shower steamer, or maybe a cupcake bomb (no, don’t eat it, no matter how realistic it looks).
Please join us in congratulating ALL of the 2021 Young Entrepreneurs Award winners!