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Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA)

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA)

June 13, 2004

ENTERPRISING YOUTHS HONE WORK SKILLS AT CONFERENCE

Author:
SANDRA JILL PENNECKE THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

Edition: FINAL
Section: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON
Page: B6
Dateline: KEMPSVILLE

Estimated printed pages: 2

Article Text:
Rakevis Lacey and Marvin Hodges made friends with other young entrepreneurs when they attended the ninth annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference.

Jaren Kelly said he met “associates.”

Each of the youths is a member of LEGIT, or Learning Entrepreneurs Getting It Together.

They, along with three other members, attended the spring conference in Dallas, Texas. General Motors hosted the May 12-16 event, sponsored by Black Enterprise magazine.

The conference was broken down into age-appropriate levels of instruction: Weepreneurs (ages 4-6), Futurepreneurs (7-10), Junior Executives (11-13) and Future CEOs (14-18).

While there, participants learned business lingo such as “cash flow” and “revenue” and heard first-hand experiences on starting their own businesses. They also worked in teams to develop imaginary business plans.

That’s more than just a dream for most of the youths involved in LEGIT, an entrepreneurial training program started by Terry Kelly.

The Charlestowne resident launched the program in 1999 to provide youngsters with business stimulus outside the classroom. They gain the know-how and financial resources to start businesses for themselves, instead of running through a variety of low-wage jobs.

Members meet three times a month, September through June, at the Berkley Community Center in Norfolk. The classroom lessons use a curriculum from the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

Some LEGIT youths already have a jump on enterprise.

Jaren, 15, a student at Tallwood High School and the son of Terry Kelly, started two businesses several years ago: Green by Nature, a lawn care service, and Legit Wear, featuring custom design apparel and screen printing.

Norfolk resident Rakevis, 11, and Tallwood Elementary student Marvin, 10, started their own clothing line called ASAG, or Always Seeking A Goal.

“They’ve sold almost 200 items so far, they’re approaching $1,500 in sales and are trying to get their line in area clothing stores,” said Kelly, 46.

He wants the youths of today to aim high and realize that they can aspire to be their own bosses.

“The sky’s the limit,” said Kelly, a shipfitter mechanic at Norshipco. “Youth entrepreneurship programs teach people how to envision their future and then create it.”

Rakevis and Marvin already know what those titles mean. Rakevis is the chief executive officer of ASAG, while Marvin is its president.

“If you educate someone how to do something, they’ll have that forever,” said Kelly. “If you put the kids in our hands, we’re going to give them knowledge.”

Jaren knows that first-hand as he begins his third business venture, MACS - or Mailing Assembling Copying Services - for special needs workers.

“You’re going to get to where you’re going as long as you keep going. Never take ‘no’ for an answer, ” said Jaren, who was chosen to attend the Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., this year.

* For information about joining LEGIT, call 479-4191 or e-mail tklegit yahoo.com.

Copyright (c) 2004 The Virginian-Pilot
Record Number: 0406130243

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