Fans of ABC’s “Shark Tank” which brings entrepreneurs in front of successful loan sharks to take their company to the next level would have been proud of some Phoenix-area teenagers. Nearly two dozen high school students participated in week-long training through Seed Spot to start a socially conscious business.
Courtney Klein Johnson, co-founder and chief executive officer of Seed Spot (courtesy photo)
The non-profit helps further development of social entrepreneurs via sustainable business solutions. They divided into five teams.
The one with Connor Willey, a senior at Brophy College Preparatory, emerged with top honors in both the judges and audience categories. Their “Souls for Shoes” concept was a hit. The idea is to help single leg amputees share their unneeded shoe.
Willey’s team earned office space at Central and Thomas for the next year and the opportunity to pitch his idea to investors at an upcoming investment convention. Several investors are already interested.
Willey will partner with the City of Phoenix to develop a business for amputees to share un-needed single shoes with other amputees around the world. He hopes to soon partner with the Wounded Warrior Project.
Seed Spot works with adult entrepreneurs too. Its chief executive officer and co-founder said the organization has helped 43 entrepreneurs with 88 percent of them still in business and the vast majority of that in still in Arizona. The effort has also done much for job creation and capital.
[quote_box_left]More on Seed Spot’s work with teens:
- 12News
- FOX10
- FOX10 highlights business of Seed Spot alum[/quote_box_left]
