Tag: Mentors

At our 2025 Demo Day on May 7, our YES! Program entrepreneurs took the stage to pitch their business ideas after 12 weeks of intense mentorship, workshops, and real-world prep! Five standout teams walked away with a total of $30,000 in seed funding! 2025 Demo Day Funding Companies From AI-powered learning tools to inclusive workforce training, these young founders are building businesses that solve real problems. A huge thanks to our mentors, judges, and supporters who made this moment possible. Learn more about the YES! Program and share the opportunity with a young entrepreneur now.

What happens when you combine 25+ years of impact, a passionate team of educators, and a bold vision for the future? You get BizWorld+ — the powerful new evolution of BizWorld’s flagship program, designed to bring even more value, flexibility, and inspiration to classrooms around the world. Formerly known as BizWorldPRO, this reimagined version isn’t just a refresh — it’s a revolution. In a recent interview with Wendy Tibbs, a longtime BizWorld teacher turned Education Community & Outreach Coordinator, we got a behind-the-scenes look at how BizWorld+ is being built, why it’s happening now, and the game-changing impact it will have on both educators and their students. Why the Shift to the new BizWorld program? It’s more Than Just a Name Change! Over the years, BizWorldPRO became a beloved staple in classrooms worldwide thanks to its turnkey, engaging approach to entrepreneurship education. Teachers loved it because it worked — it brought out student initiative, built real-world teamwork, and sparked joy in learning. Now the new evolution, BizWorld+ brings critical insights directly from our educators, into the experience, giving them the support, context, and flexibility they need to teach confidently — whether they’re a first-year teacher or a seasoned pro. What Makes BizWorld+ So Powerful? 1. Customizable by Age and AbilityAs we progressively roll out the new content for each level (Initial modules will be available this July, with additional levels and tools released throughout the school year.) BizWorld+ will begin to include multiple tiers of difficulty and entry points—not just by grade, but by readiness. Whether you’re guiding third graders or high school entrepreneurs, teachers will be able to select the precise tools, lessons, and activities their students need. For example, early modules might start with color‑coded paper ledgers (perfect for less advanced students), with later modules coming soon that will teach spreadsheet formulas and more advanced exercises for older or more gifted programming. 2. Expanded Teacher SupportTeachers asked, and BizWorld listened! The new program will progressively include: 3. Built to EvolveWith BizWorld+, educators aren’t just end-users — they’re collaborators. The entire program is housed online, and teachers are invited to offer real-time feedback to continuously improve and adapt the curriculum. “We’ll have direct links right in the manual asking teachers, ‘Tell us what worked. Tell us what didn’t,’” Wendy said. This feedback loop makes BizWorld+ a living curriculum — designed with teachers, not just for them. The Heart of It All: Transforming Students While the upgrades for teachers are substantial, the biggest winners are still the students. As Wendy reflected, “BizWorld is not just about economics. It’s about life skills. When my students did BizWorld, they grew more confident, more collaborative, more goal-oriented. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just another unit — it was the unit that changed how they saw themselves.” From understanding money and decision-making to discovering the value of teamwork and leadership, BizWorld+ teaches students to think like entrepreneurs — and act like leaders. What’s Next? BizWorld+ is set to soft launch in July 2025, just in time for educators to explore the platform before school resumes in the fall. And the excitement doesn’t stop there — future updates include: Want to Be the First to Know? Learn more now on the BizWorld+ web page, stay updated on the launch, access sneak peeks, and be part of the growing community of educators transforming classrooms through entrepreneurship education. 🚀 Unleash your students’ inner superpowers. Experience the new BizWorld+.

What if your biggest leadership lesson came from knocking on strangers’ doors… to sell attic insulation? That’s how Aram Boyd got his start—21 years old, sweating in the California heat, learning how to talk to anyone and persuade them to say yes. That first job didn’t just pay the bills. It lit a fire. Today, Aram Boyd is a top executive coach, leadership trainer, and sought-after speaker who’s helped teams at Google, Cisco, Autodesk, and NVida sharpen their communication and connect with confidence. But one of his favorite stages? Coaching young entrepreneurs in the YES! Program on how to deliver their first-ever pitch. 💥 “Before they invest in your idea… they have to invest in you.” – Aram Boyd From Street Sales to Boardrooms Aram didn’t grow up dreaming of being a sales expert. He wanted to be a jazz musician. But life had other plans—and some surprising detours. A mentor introduced him to behavioral science and personality profiling. That changed everything. Suddenly, sales wasn’t about scripts. It was about people—how they think, how they listen, how they decide. He started closing deals. Then leading teams. Then training others to do the same. His career has taken him from knock-and-talk campaigns to C-suite boardrooms. And he’s bringing all of that hard-won wisdom to YES! students. Building Confidence, One Pitch at a Time Every year, the YES! Program gives students real-world experience building and pitching a business. It’s exciting… and terrifying. That’s where mentors like Aram come in. 🗣️ “These students are incredible. They just need someone to believe in them—and show them how to own the room.” In his pitch coaching sessions, Aram doesn’t just talk theory. He dives into body language, vocal tone, storytelling, and presence. He helps students turn nervous energy into magnetic confidence—even if it’s their first time speaking to a crowd. This is exactly what he does in his executive coaching business AB Strategic Leadership, as well. And he makes it fun. With his signature warmth and humor, Aram breaks down complex communication techniques into bite-sized, relatable lessons. 💡 “Confidence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being believable.” Why Mentorship Matters Aram first joined BizWorld through the National Speakers Association. What started as a one-time volunteer gig quickly became a passion. “I was hooked,” he says. “The kids. The creativity. The energy. You leave those classrooms feeling better about the future.” He’s coached dozens of YES! students since—and he’s just getting started. 🔥 “Mentorship isn’t a one-way street. I get just as much out of it as they do.” Calling All Changemakers! Want to make a real difference in a young person’s life? Step up. Share your story. Show up. Whether you’re a business pro, public speaker, or someone who remembers what it felt like to be 16 and uncertain—your voice matters. 👥 “These students are watching us. Let’s give them something real to look up to.” Ready to Make an Impact? 🤝 For Supporters:Want to help shape the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders?👉 Become a YES! Mentor | Donate to Support BizWorld 🌱 For Youth (Ages 16–22):Build your first business, pitch your ideas, and learn from mentors like Aram.👉 Join the YES! Program Aram’s Final Takeaway 💬 “Find your story. Own your voice. And when it’s your turn to speak—stand up and deliver.” Learn more about Aram Boyd and AB Strategic Leadership now!Connect with Aram on LinkedInVisit ABStrategicLeadership.com

What if the path to your dream career started with wrecking your car? That’s how Trina Limpert’s incredible journey began… One fateful day after having to ride her bike to her part-time job sliding around the greasy floors of a fast food joint, she realized she was meant for something more. Today, Trina is a tech powerhouse, the founder of Tech Moms, founder of RizeNext Corp, a bestselling author, and Utah Business’s Most Influential Woman of 2024. This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating women like Trina—moms, mentors, and entrepreneurs—who are redefining success and creating new opportunities for the next generation. ✨ “Every job is a tech job now. Hands down, you need to know tech.” – Trina Limpert From Farm Girl to Tech Executive Trina grew up one of ten kids on a rural farm, chasing goats and dreaming big. But it wasn’t until a crash course in Pascal programming (a now-extinct coding language!) that her passion for technology ignited. From there, she blazed a trail through roles at Novell, eBay, and Oracle—designing, marketing, and leading global teams in enterprise software. Despite all her success, one thing kept bothering her: Why weren’t more women in tech? Turning Anger into Action 🔥 “I started Tech Moms out of anger. I was tired of hearing ‘Women just don’t go into tech.’” Trina saw a massive disconnect. While companies were hiring talent from overseas, highly educated women in her own neighborhood were being overlooked. She decided to change that. Since launching Tech Moms, Trina and her co-founders have trained over 700 women, helping them transition into high-paying, flexible tech jobs. Graduates see an average pay increase of 42%—that’s life-changing impact. 💡 Calling all young innovators!Are you ready to explore your purpose and build the future you want to see?👉 Join the YES! Program – our no-cost-to-youth entrepreneurship program designed to give you real-world experience and mentorship from leaders like Trina. Finding Your Spark Whether you’re 15 or 50, Trina believes your purpose is already inside you—it’s just waiting to be uncovered. 🧠 “Think back: What toys did you love as a kid? That’s your spark.” She built motorized cars for her Barbies using an erector set. Today, she builds programs that drive women’s careers forward. Whether it’s engineering, coding, or quilting (yes, quilting!), Trina’s message is clear: 🌟 “You’re more powerful than you think you are. Don’t let anyone put you in a box.” Speaking Up & Showing Up Trina’s story reminds us that our differences are our strengths. As the only woman in many of her tech classes and corporate teams, she often had to speak up—even when it was uncomfortable. But when she did, magic happened. 🎙️ “I raised my hand and shared an idea. They said, ‘Why didn’t we think of that?’ That was the moment I realized I belong.” To every girl who’s felt out of place in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), to every mom returning to work, and to every young entrepreneur with a dream: 💥 You belong. And the world needs your voice. Inspired? Here’s How You Can Get Involved: 🌱 For Youth (Ages 16-22):Discover your spark, learn real business skills, and get mentored by leaders like Trina.👉 Sign up for the YES! Program 🤝 For Adults:You can help shape the next generation of changemakers. Whether you’re a tech expert, entrepreneur, or someone who believes in the power of youth…👉 Become a Mentor | Donate to Support Youth Entrepreneurship Trina’s Final Words of Wisdom 💬 “Get really clear on the problem you want to solve. Then go figure out how to solve it. That’s where your journey starts.” This Mother’s Day, we honor all the moms—and all the women—who are building businesses, breaking barriers, and blazing trails for future generations. Are you ready to help unleash the innovative genius inside the next generation of entrepreneurs? Learn more about becoming a BizWorld mentor and making a lasting impact on young innovators.

In the entrepreneurial journey, guidance can make all the difference. At BizWorld, our mission to “equip future generations with entrepreneurial life skills to unlock their potential and create economic opportunity” comes to life through the dedication of our volunteer mentors. These professionals don’t just share knowledge—they help unleash the innovative genius inside each young entrepreneur. The Power of Mentorship: Paying It Forward For many of our volunteers, their commitment to mentorship stems from their own experiences of being guided—or sometimes, navigating without that crucial support. “Having a mentor is super important,” emphasizes Larry Jacobson, Author, Speaker, Coach and BizWorld Volunteer. I remember at one stage in my career I couldn’t find a mentor when I really needed it and it was really frightening to have to build alone…” Today, Larry donates his time to ensuring young entrepreneurs don’t face the same challenge. “Through my coaching and mentorship, I give people the motivation, strength, and permission to take action and make change happen.” Marc Hankin, an International Patent, Tradework and Copywriting Attorney who leads IP workshops for our young entrepreneurs, shares similar sentiments. “Everyone has benefited from mentors in their careers, and unfortunately there often are not enough mentors to go around, but they are so needed and important!” Having spent 37 years in the intellectual property law industry, Marc finds additional fulfillment in guiding the next generation through the complexities of protecting their innovative ideas. Translating Expertise into Accessible Wisdom Our mentors excel at making complex professional concepts accessible to young minds. Whether it’s intellectual property law, public speaking, or effective communication, they’ve mastered the art of simplification without sacrificing substance. Lital Cohen, a Public Speaking and Communication Coach who helps our young entrepreneurs tell their stories effectively, emphasizes: “KEEP IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE! Simplicity does not mean that it’s not sophisticated.” With clients ranging from Stanford University to Google, Lital brings high-level expertise to her workshops but delivers it in ways young entrepreneurs can immediately apply. When we asked Marc Hankin how he breaks down complex IP concepts into practical advice he had this to say, “One simple tip that I always share is to before you create a product, do a little bit of searching to see what’s already out there! A little bit of Google searching can go a long way.” By focusing on actionable steps rather than overwhelming theory, he empowers young entrepreneurs to protect their innovations from the start. The BizWorld Difference What draws these accomplished professionals to volunteer with BizWorld specifically? For many, it’s the quality and motivation of the young entrepreneurs themselves. “I’ve been very surprised by the quality of the YES! Participants! They’re really smart and have really good ideas, and they’re open to listening to how to improve,” shares Larry Jacobson. “I used to worry about younger generations, but there are clearly a lot of really smart younger kids who will hopefully help to fix the world.” For Marc Hankin, it’s about the unique opportunity to work with highly motivated students. “It’s very rewarding to work with highly motivated students! These young professionals want to be here!” he explains. “BizWorld has created a really great and unique program and being able to contribute to these young entrepreneurs future success is a really great way to give back.” Lital Cohen, who has been volunteering with BizWorld for over eight years, is drawn by the organization’s authentic commitment to its mission. “It’s rare that you get a chance to impact an organization filled with employees that really work from the heart; that makes it so easy to want to support BizWorld!“ The Transformation: Witnessing Growth and Impact Perhaps the most rewarding aspect for our mentors is witnessing the transformation of our young entrepreneurs throughout the program. “In the beginning of the YES! program I see confusion and a lot of shy faces, but at the end at Demo Day when they’re ready to pitch their businesses, WOW! It’s amazing to see the transformation from shy, to them pitching and answering live public questions with confidence, all while still being their authentic selves.” In our exclusive interview with Marc Hankin he told us, “I love watching these young entrepreneurs learn new concepts… Seeing the lights come on for the students as they really understand how they fit into their industry and how they might protect their specific businesses and inventions really makes this all worth it.” A True Community of Mentors As we continue to grow our impact—reaching over 890,000 young people since our founding—we’re always seeking new mentors to join our community. You don’t need to fully understand entrepreneurship or the BizWorld programming to get started. As Lital Cohen advises: “If you simply have a gut feeling of curiosity, I recommend you come as a visitor or guest to an event and get a sneak peek! Even if you’re unsure about it, I suggest that you volunteer your time anyway; you don’t have a long or big commitment! I started with 1 workshop and now I’ve happily given 8 years of volunteering because of the impact that I saw was happening.” The benefits flow both ways. “Mentorship is good for the mentor as well!” Lital points out. “The highest level of happiness comes through giving and then seeing the impact!” In Marc Hankin’s words: “Everyone has benefited from mentors in our careers… for the system to keep circling and working, you have to be willing to give back to it! It can’t just all be take, take, take because end of day it won’t be self-sustaining, you have to give back.” Are you ready to help unleash the innovative genius inside the next generation of entrepreneurs? Learn more about becoming a BizWorld mentor and making a lasting impact on young innovators. Watch our full feature video interviews with each of our mentors on our Youtube Channel linked below. Larry Jacobson, Author, Speaker, Coach – Business Website | BizWorld Interview on Youtube Marc Hankin, International Patent, Trademark and Copywriting Attorney – Business