Three Central students participate in 34th annual MBV

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IOC9_14CentralStudents Walmart-St. Paul and Anchor Bank Snelling sponsored students (l to r) Augusta Allen, Ammie Vang and Liam Plambec to BestPrep’s 34th annual Minnesota Business Venture (MBV).[/caption]

An innovative business plan to develop a voice activated pillow that connects to your smart phone was praised by a panel of industry investors and was crafted in just one week by a group of high school students. Dozens of business plans such as this were created at BestPrep’s 34th annual Minnesota Business Venture (MBV).

While the business plans and monetary investment were imaginary, the ideas presented would give today’s entrepreneurs a run for their money. Walmart-St. Paul and Anchor Bank Snelling sponsored Central High School students Augusta Allen, Ammie Vang, and Samantha Yang to attend this unique opportunity. Additional sponsorship for the nine Central High School and Washington Technology Magnet students came from Securian Foundation, 3M Foundation, Ecolab Foundation, CHS Foundation and Margaret Rivers Fund.

“Walmart is delighted to partner with BestPrep to provide the Minnesota Business Venture experience for our local students,” said Mary Goulette, Walmart-St. Paul Midway Store Manager. “Preparing for life after high school is critical for future success and Walmart is privileged to play a part in this unique educational experience.”

MBV is a week-long business and career skills camp held in July in partnership with the Herberger Business School at St. Cloud State University and the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship at St. John’s University. Over 300 students representing 107 schools spent a week of their summer preparing for life after high school, learning how to start their own business, and improving their financial literacy skills.

More than 170 Minnesota entrepreneurs and business professionals shared their experiences and business insights with the future workforce. Students heard from a variety of speakers representing companies such as 3M, Allstate, General Mills, Cargill and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The speakers covered a wide range of topics such as managing personal finance, entrepreneurship, business ethics, and developing one’s personal brand.

Local business professionals, known as Resident Business Leaders, served as mentors to the students throughout the program. These volunteers, from companies such as Allianz Life, Ecolab, Securian, Thrivent Financial, Travelers and Xcel Energy, lived on campus for the week and guided a group, or “company,” of students through the creation of a business plan and proposal.

In addition to MBV, BestPrep offers the Technology Integration Workshop for teachers and four innovative programs – Classroom Plus, eMentors, Financial Matters, and The Stock Market GameTM – which help prepare students to be college ready and career bound.

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