North Las Vegas resident Lydia High teaches entrepreneurial skills

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Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) August 13, 2010 -- At 16 years old, Sierra Vista High School junior Jamie Marentes has accomplished what many adults dream of doing -- she's opened her own business.
ADmire Advertising Company is the result of Marentes' hard work, a little luck and the Teen Entrepreneurs of Las Vegas program, founded by North Las Vegas resident Lydia High.
Marentes' company, which specializes in advertising campaigns branded for the young and hip, already has one client lined up, and she hopes to triple her client base in the next six months.

"This has been an amazing experience for me," Marentes said. "I hope to build my company to be as successful as some of the larger companies that already exist here in Las Vegas."
Marentes is part of the 20-member inaugural class bred by the program, which High said she started in 2007 after recognizing a need for mentorship among valley youths.
"Our mission is to introduce young people to the world of business and promote free enterprise for teen entrepreneurs," High said. "There is a great gap of mentors and leaders in this community so far as entrepreneurship goes."

The program helps participants ages 14 to 18 develop business plans, negotiating and marketing skills and financial literacy, along with corporate and legal issues pertaining to business. Participants also are given a stipend of up to $500 to jumpstart the business.
The class, which meets weekly at the College of Southern Nevada's West Charleston campus, provides all materials, supplies and textbooks for students and is free.
High said the 16-week program also educates teens on the importance of building leadership skills.
High will be accepting applications for the class' second cycle through June 3. Applicants must furnish two recommendation letters, write an essay about why they would like to be involved and fill out an application that can be found on the organization's Web site, www.teolv.com.

High said the current batch of students was discovered through communications with high school counselors and principals.
A youth entrepreneurship conference designed for junior high and high school aged kids is scheduled at the Cannery July 25.
"Many of the same principles will be taught there," High said. "We wanted to give younger kids a chance to learn this process."
The conference will feature speakers from local businesses and the Internal Revenue Service.
Admission is free.
Not everybody who enters the program has an idea for a business, but High said that having one will make the process a bit smoother.

"If they don't have an idea, we can help with that," she said. "But to start right out of the gate with marketing and business lessons is ideal."
High said she is working to promote overall education and to build a diverse program where kids from every economic and social background become involved.
"I'm a huge advocate for pursuing college," she said.
The program features field trips to wholesale markets and lectures from local business owners who can offer students a perspective on what it is like to own your own business.

"I have a 15-year-old student who publishes her own magazine with more than 500 subscribers," she said. "We have a window washing and drum lesson business. We even have someone doing a cookbook. There is so much potential in our youth. I'm just trying to help them get their foot in the door."

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