Debra McClure goes the extra mile for her students!

Travis Early College High School teacher, Debra McClure started bringing JA into her classroom a few years ago. We asked her some questions about her experience with JA.

Why did you bring JA Entrepreneurship programs into your classes?

I was teaching business classes and thought it would be a great fit. JA brought in a great curriculum about entrepreneurship and running a business. 

Why do you think JA is important in your class?

This curriculum helped the students get hands-on experience taking a business idea and actually bringing it to life. Students got to learn valuable entrepreneurship skills of leadership, teamwork, and cooperation. In addition to entrepreneurship skills, JA students also had to learn about finance and how to work with money. Doing so helps them to experience the excitement of selling their products and collecting money. Many difficult challenges had to be faced in terms of splitting the money with their team. An overwhelming majority of student groups often chose to donate part of their profits to a charity. Thinking of others, taking risks, exploring leadership roles, and learning how to handle finances are valuable 21st-century workplace skills.

Why do you have JA in your class and why should other classes bring JA programs in?

I think all students should go through a JA program at least once. It is during the JA business programs that students learn about themselves, that their ideas are important, and that they can do more than they realize.

What growth have you seen in your students?

Some students really blossom with the JA program. I have seen quiet and shy students suddenly get selected to be the president of their company or start their own company and run a sole-proprietorship. I believe this is life-changing for them. By the end of the program, these once quiet and shy students are more confident and vocal. They also have more self-confidence.

What is it like having volunteers in your classroom?

The JA volunteers are great. I enjoy working with them to provide our students with an authentic learning experience. I always feel included and part of the team.

What is a piece of financial or general advice you rely on or wish you had learned earlier?

In terms of financial advice, I wish I learned in high school - I wish I learned that I had the capacity to earn my own income at an early age. I also wish I had a JA mentor to help me believe in myself more as a teenager and help me see that there was a world of possibilities out there waiting for me. I think that would have made a huge difference.

JA Inspire Career Day at Travis High School

At the JA Inspire Career Day - ten professionals came to speak and inspire the students at Travis High School about what career opportunities are out there and the path they took to get there. Throughout the morning students rotated through rounds of speakers where they got time to talk with professionals from the health care, hospitality, and business industries. Students were able to make connections and learn more about what it takes to make it to your end goal, and that everyone struggles to get there. We are so excited to continue this program with Travis High School, and look forward to bringing more speakers to share their careers with students. If you would like to get involved in our next event, reach out to us.

Thank you Howard Brooks of Ernst and Young for organizing your brilliant friends to share their stories and advice.

BBVA Gives Back with a Week of Service

During this year’s BBVA Volunteer Week, Junior Achievement was invited to a morning of volunteering at their 5th street location. Twenty volunteers took time out of their busy schedules to not only eat delicious breakfast tacos, but learn more about the mission of Junior Achievement, and help with stewardship projects like creating math manipulative bags for schools as well as rebuilding program kits. We are so proud of our partners like BBVA for continuing to champion JA - resulting in more young people reaching their full potential.

Thank you, BBVA!

Thank you Starbucks on 5th and Lamar in Austin for being today’s coffee sponsor!

Musa Ato Shares His Story with Round Rock High School Fashion Students

As part of an ongoing program Round Rock High School Fashion students have guest speakers come share their story of entrepreneurship and what they have learned along the way. Musa Ato from League of Rebels Mensware spent some time with students sharing his insights and what he has learned from years in the industry.

Ato on…

On how he got started: Two things brought me to this company- school uniforms and studying international business, economics and marketing. I grew up wearing school uniforms and I like the look of suits and jackets. I figured out how to get suits manufactured for myself to get exactly what I want. Then I began a brand to start selling them to other people.

On understanding strengths: I haven’t been to design school, and I have never cut a pattern. I approached my company from the business side- it was an expensive hobby but I understand brand equity and identity. Focus on your strengths and don’t try to learn other peoples jobs on the fly. I tried to learn alterations, but business is what I know. So, you hire where your holes are.

On building a brand: Build the brand any which way and any how. See a brand as a person, create an identity. If this were a person, what type of car would they drive, what color, what interior? Where do they eat for lunch. It helps you narrow the brand. When people come into the store it vibes with them. Quality and craftsmanship come first and over time customers will trust you in whatever you do.

On brand independence: Whatever I do personally doesn’t affect the brand, I am not the brand. I could come or go but the brand survives. Feel confident creating something and letting it run.

On brand loyalty: You want repeat customers, it’s the 80/20 rule; 20 percent of customers provide 80 percent of your business. They are easier to serve and it’s fulfilling to see people come back. Keep them happy.

On why he chose Austin: Austin wasn’t a saturated market, and it was growing. Now, if the big boys come here they have to compete with us. Look for a niche you can plug into. Your product should sell itself so look for an angle, and for whats missing in any situation.

Favorite part of creating your own business: Seeing the project come to fruition

Most complicated part of owning a business: Most complicated is dealing with people, and figuring out how to have employees and work together.

On what kids can do to get started now: Age doesn’t matter, with the internet and emails, no one can tell how old you are. You’d be surprised how much you can do. Don’t overthink things, just start. Don’t sit down and plan 5 years out, start the journey and do what it takes.

Making a Difference for Thirty-Five Years and Counting

Patton Elementary School's JA in a Day

Wooten Elementary School's JA in a Day

Stony Point High School's JA Company Program

Bill Taylor started volunteering with JA in the classroom over 35 years ago when it was first introduced to JA Project Business in Houston, TX. After teaching there for a few years, Taylor was hooked on teaching the students so much so that when he was later was hired on with 3M in Austin he requested that he be allowed to continue teaching JA classes. He has taught just about every program that JA offers. In a typical school year Bill teaches about ten JA classes in the Austin and Round Rock area.

Many of Taylor’s past students come up to him years later to thank him. One was a student at the University of Texas working at 3M as a co-op student. She thanked him for what she had learned in her JA class at Deer Park Middle School in eighth grade. Another past high school student said, “I learned more from your JA classes than any class in high school.” An elementary student told Taylor, “JA In a Day class was the best day of my life.” Students love “Mr. Bill” as he is often referred to by his students and he loves sharing JA and his own personal knowledge with them.

“Besides being so rewarding, teaching JA also improved my presentation and speaking skills, keeps me younger by working with students, allows me to give back to my community and also keeps me learning. I think by helping students be better prepared for being productive employees and financially literate, we are helping the future be better for everyone.”

If Taylor could bestow one piece of financial advice on his students it would be, “Start saving early, as compound interest is your friend. Heeding this advice gives one financial independence in their retirement years.”

Thank you Mr. Bill for helping so many young people to reach their full potential!

Not only does Bill volunteer for JA he also pays it forward by donating, to ensure that more students have access to JA programs.

If you would like to learn more about how to get involved with JA, click HERE!

#Volunteer #ChangeAgents

H-E-B gets a Standing Ovation at this year’s Broadway Bound Bowl-a-thon!

H-E-B Bowl-a-thon Event Team

William Pollock, Jeff Thomas, Emily Long & Tamra Jones

Lisa Leyva and Tamra Jones

Austin Store # 11

Hutto H-E-B Plus!

Austin Store # 3

Jeff Thomas and H-E-B Round Rock 4 Wizard of Oz

Tamra Jones, Lampasas Store and William Pollock

“What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening...” Jesus Christ Superstar’s rock opera lyrics couldn’t be any better to describe the 19th Annual H-E-B Bowl-a-thon benefiting JA of Central Texas! 

On Friday, June 28th approximately three hundred H-E-B Partners got on their best Broadway-inspired costumes and shuffle ball changed their way to Highland Lanes for the H-E-B Broadway Bound Bowl-a-thon. As always, this year was a celebration of community and a reunion of H-E-B Partners that are once again going center stage to educate and inspire the next generation of young people through JA. “...this year’s Bowl-a-thon was the BEST to date! It was so organized, festive – with creative design touches, tasty treats and fun for all!” said Tamra Jones, H-E-B Public Affairs manager for the central Texas region. 

H-E-B Partners really stepped up this year to make the event run so smoothly and to see their vision realized. Not only did they create one or more teams per store to raise money for JA of Central Texas but they also ran the photo booth and helped with set up, break down, registration, photography and much more. H-E-B Partners truly embody the pride of teamwork and giving back to the community. 

“It’s one of my favorite H-E-B events every year. Not just because bowling is super-fun, but because I am a supporter of what Junior Achievement programs are doing for our communities, ” said William Pollock, sixteen year H-E-B veteran and this year’s Bowl-a-thon Chairperson. 

The vibe was palpable at the Bowl-a-thon with cheers and high fives abound not to mention that Jeff Thomas, H-E-B Senior VP and General Manager joined in on the fun! This year H-E-B Partners worked together in their fundraising efforts by having store cookouts and asking friends and family to give which culminated in a total donation of more than $30,000 to JA of Central Texas! 

Thank you, H-E-B for helping provide more JA programs to Central Texas students! 

Thank you to our In-kind donors, Alamo Drafthouse and Esther’s Follies. 

Click HERE to see all photos from the H-E-B Broadway Bound Bowl-a-thon.

And the 2019 Winner of EY’s Young Entrepreneur Award goes to…

Junior Achievement of Central Texas’ (JACT’s) core belief is “Opportunity is for Everyone.” This principle helps to guide the JACT volunteer mentors who work with hundreds of local teens from a variety of backgrounds to start and run real businesses through the JA Company Program. Ernst & Young (EY) is a dedicated community supporter of the JA Company Program and JA serves as the youth entrepreneurship partner for EY.

This year, EY has helped JA Company Program student Yoselin Molina start the path towards realizing her dreams of entrepreneurship by awarding her the prestigious 2019 EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year Scholarship Award. 

Although Yoselin just completed her junior year Austin ISD’s Travis Early College High School, this is the second JA student company she has helped to start. Her first experience was during her sophomore year when she served as the Director of Marketing and Social Media at Hope Goals. This JA student company sold lanyards to spread the joy of soccer to children in countries that could not afford to buy equipment. When she returned to the JA Company Program in her junior year, she joined an incubator group where she launched her own enterprise - Yoselin Designs, making handmade leather handbags. Yoselin spent her first few months studying the market, prototyping designs and researching different materials to use. In just one month she went from a felt prototype to a completed product. No small feat considering she cuts, punches and sews everything by hand. 

Yoselin’s mentor tells us, “Yoselin puts her whole heart and mind into her company. Not only in the design of her bags but the various details around her business from marketing to finances. Her impressive drive helped take her from a student who was interested in fashion to working Austin fashion week and starting her own handbag company. Not only is Yoselin committed to her own success, but she is always ready to help her classmates with their businesses.”

Her first bag - a hand stitched buffalo leather tote, quickly sold and she re-invested her profits back into her business. This summer Yoselin is designing and producing her first collection of handmade, vegan-leather totes, clutches and key chains with the goal to build enough inventory to launch her first line in the fall.  

Yoselin says: “As I move forward in the future, I want to be able to give back to my community and the harder I work the more I will be able to give.”

Congratulations, Yoselin! We wish you great success in all of your future endeavors.

Thank you to all of our dedicated JA volunteers!

Thank you to EY for their commitment to partnering with JA to create a “Better Working World.”

Twenty years of making an impact that matters ­- Deloitte’s 20th Impact Day

IMPACT Day is an opportunity for Deloitte people to put their passion, determination, and skills to use for the benefit of their communities—leaving behind their laptops, conference calls, and emails to make a difference in the communities they serve. They provide skills-based volunteering and a helping hand to hundreds of not-for-profit organizations where they share their knowledge and expertise.

This summer the Deloitte community volunteered at Wooldridge Elementary School. They delivered JA programs to every student attending the Boys and Girls Club, teaching them about financial literacy and entrepreneurship. In addition to that volunteers wrote countless thank you cards, made phone calls, packed gift bags, and created new kits from recycled JA materials - meaning that Junior Achievement can serve more students with JA programming next year and put the savings directly back into our programs! 

 Thank you, Deloitte!

#ImpactThatMatters

Frost Bank Teaches Financial Literacy at Oak Springs Elementary

“Partnerships matter!”  said Principal Monica Woods as Junior Achievement and Frost Bank volunteers returned to Oak Springs Elementary on April 23 and 25th for two days of financial education during Financial Literacy Month.

“JA in a Day is a great way for our bankers to get back into the community.”

-Betty Davis, Frost Bank Vice President of Community Development.

Following training by Junior Achievement staff, Frost Bank employees from Commercial Lending, Corporate Banking and Relationship Managers spent the day in an elementary school classroom.  “I love teaching the fourth grade curriculum JA Our Region,” said Tyler Jones, Frost Bank Assistant Vice President, Relationship Manager. “I teach some fundamental tasks of business ownership through a fun game called Hot Dog Stand Game.  The kids get so excited, they don’t realize they are tracking revenue and expenses!”

Frost Bank has been a financial sponsor of Junior Achievement for many years and chooses to return to Oak Springs Elementary in Austin ISD every year.  This year we had 11 volunteers teaching 11 classes with 187 students.

Love was in the Air during Wooten Elementary School’s JA in a Day, sponsored by 3M

“Had a great day with Miss Weeks' 1st grade class today at Wooten Elementary. She was a fantastic teacher and the class seemed to have a great time.” John Fuex, Deloitte Services.

Martin Miller from CapitalOne with Ms. Lakoski’s Second Grade class.

Joel Longstreth from Brentwood Plastics counts ballots with Ms. Campos’ Second Grade students.

David Johnson with CapitalOne adding up profits from the Hot Dog Stand game.

Shannon Gleeson with A+ Federal Credit Union works with First Graders.

Yulissa Biddy from CapitalOne works with Third Grade students on planning a city.

Angelo San Segundo, Wooten Elementary School’s principal kicked off JA in a Day on April 26th by saying “We love having JA volunteers in our classrooms!”

Thanks to 3M’s generous sponsorship of JA programming at Wooten Elementary, the 500+ K-5th grade students learned hands on about entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness. This year, Wooten’s JA in a Day happened to coincide with the very same week 3M was moving into a new facility so volunteers from several other firms stepped in to teach the lessons.  CapitalOne Bank, Deloitte Services, A+ Federal Credit Union, TriNet, Frost Bank, and Brentwood Plastics were among the companies who provided volunteers.  Truly a great community collaboration!

Principal San Segundo summed up the successful JA in a Day as follows:

 “Not only are the JA Volunteers trained professionals taking time to inspire our students, but we also love showing the community the great things happening Wooten.”

@GHWootenWarrior  #AISDProud

AT&T Inspires Local Students with ASPIRE Program

On April 12th AT&T opened their doors to students from Bertha Sadler Means YWLA to share with them the possibilities that await when they graduate and encourage them to stay in school. The AT&T Aspire program is designed to open students eyes to the world of work around them and to prepare them with essential career readiness skills that they will need to enter the working world.

Over the course of the Job Shadow the students were able to experience the day in a life of an AT&T employee, learn about how to job hunt and build the perfect resume. They also had the script flipped on them when they were put in the shoes to sell a product to a customer. At the end of the day the students were able to participate in a panel discussion with employees from different branches of the company. Having the ability to ask questions of managers and time to hear how these individuals got to where they are is important for students because they begin to see themselves there as well.

I learned that I should be working on my resume now. Even though I am not really looking for a job yet it is good to start keeping track of all of my accomplishments and awards. My resume has all of my volunteer activities as well as the clubs I am a part of, and the awards I have won at school.

-Giselle

We want to thank AT&T for hosting our JA Job Shadow, supporting our students and helping them step out of their comfort zones to learn new skills. Many of these students do not see much beyond their immediate neighborhood, and having the opportunity to meet people from their community that grew up where they did makes a world of difference. These students have a bright future, and it was made a bit brighter because of the mentorship from AT&T volunteers.

Financial Literacy Deep Dive

FactSet Volunteers lead Credit Score Lesson

The school year may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean that the learning is. This week we spent Thursday at Travis Early College High School working with Juniors and Seniors to take a deep dive into personal financial literacy. On a testing day where most upperclassmen spend the day outside of their normal routine, JA took advantage of the schedule change to put on a Financial Literacy workshop.

We asked the students what they wanted to know and built a program around their feedback. Students wanted to learn about how to manage credit cards, interest rates and how to manage the cost of living. This day was tailored to fit exactly what they wanted to learn about.

-Lacy Blakley, Assistant Principal

Junior Achievement brought in volunteers and subject matter experts to lead workshops on budgeting, the difference in credit and debit and how to manage debt. This was our first event like this at Travis High School and we are excited to start planning for next year. Volunteers spent the day in the classroom while students rotated through the lessons. We want to thank our volunteers for spending their day with our students to make sure that they feel better prepared to take on the world. We want to thank FactSet for volunteering and sponsoring this programming. Without the support of our sponsors and volunteers JA would not be able to provide days like these to our students.

Austin-area Women Learn Why Financial Equity Matters at JA F.E.M. Forum

JA of Central Texas kicked off Financial Literacy Month by bringing together over 100 women executives, emerging leaders and students to learn how to improve their own financial wellness and empower others to become more financially literate at the inaugural JA F.E.M. Forum.  Speaker and Panel Moderator Lisa Kottler set the stage for the event when she shared that financial inequity for women can start at an early age - a recent report found parents paid boys twice as much for doing chores per week than girls.

The panel of women experts included Stuart Vick Smith, Tausha Robertson, Tiffanie Harrrison, Kelcy Flores, and Allegra Moet Brantly. During a discussion about learning to make your money work for you, panelist Allegra Moet Brantly challenged the audience by asking "is your money sitting on the couch watching Netflix or is it working out on the treadmill?" Other words of wisdom from panelists included ask for a mentor, always pay yourself first by saving a set amount from each paycheck, don't spend more than you earn and ask the questions that feel on the edge of comfort when negotiating your salary.

“Power is unlimited, we don't have to compete with each other to reach our goals” were the reflections from JA teen entrepreneur and student speaker Lawrel Andry on what she’s learned about how women can be stronger together. The JA F.E.M. Forum culminated with table attendees working together on a JA Financial Literacy Lesson on budgeting. JA-developed lesson plans are engaging and easy-to-follow, allowing JA volunteers to incorporate their unique experiences.

AB PCI Brings Financial Literacy to Travis High School

Thank you to Alliance Bernstein PCI for partnering with Junior Achievement to bring more Financial Literacy programming to Travis Early College High School. This year AB PCI not only sponsored the program financially, but they volunteered with Travis High School to teach students about business basics and financial literacy all school year. These volunteers worked with students in a traditional JA classroom and also made our first ever financial literacy deep dive day possible. We thank you for your passion and drive to make sure that every student is able to handle their finances with confidence.

Inspiring Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

During a Ladies of Distinction Meeting at LBJ ECHS, Sheila Hawkins Bucklew from Hawkins Bucklew Jewelry Designs came to talk with the girls about her entrepreneurial journey and what she has learned along the way. During her JA Launch Lesson Sheila shared how she went from a real estate to a jewelry entrepreneur and how perseverance plus a clear vision along the way helped her achieve her dreams. She encouraged the girls to be confident and determined, and never take their eye off of the vision they have for themselves. Through this session  the girls shared their passions and gifts to see how they align and what they are doing to grow towards their goals.

“Our biggest takeaways from today was- just do it! Stop planning and don’t listen to the self doubt, it will stop you. It doesn’t have to be perfect to get started, do it now! “

Sheila also highlighted how entrepreneurship gives women options to do and be whatever they want, and that there is a community supporting you; “The best thing about entrepreneurship is that we are collaborators, not competitors!” This group of ladies are the next generation of attorneys, doctors, educators, entrepreneurs and leaders in their community. We are so thankful to Sheila Hawkins-Bucklew for spending her time with them today and for the Ladies of Distinction for having a JA Launch Lesson. We can’t wait to see what companies these ladies start!

Spots open for Austin's Park n' Pizza Job Shadow January 28th!

Interested in learning more about the hospitality and entertainment industry?

Join us on January 28th for a Junior Achievement Job Shadow in partnership with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). During this afternoon participants will get a behind the scenes look at how Austin’s Park n’ Pizza operates. Learn the ins and outs of the different aspects of this business, then participate in the working session with members from IAAPA. This is an opportunity to learn this business from the inside out.

Details:

Date: January 28, 2019

Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm

Location: 16231 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, Pflugerville, TX 78660

Participants must be able to provide their own transportation to the venue.

Want to join us? Sign up Here!

Junior Achievement at Texas A&M Central Texas

Thank you to our lunch sponsor H-E-B!

On November 9, 2018 Texas A&M Warriors Accounting Society partnered with Junior Achievement of Central Texas to bring a group of students from the Killeen ISD Career Center on Campus for a day of financial literacy education. During that day over 60 students received exposure to financial literacy education delivered by student volunteers who acted as ambassadors of Texas A&M Central Texas. While on campus students received information about how to plan financially for their future and spent time on a college campus where they received a tour of the facilities, learned about available programs, and gained insight about how to apply to become a student at Texas A&M Central Texas. The group of students from the Warriors Accounting Society to took on a leadership role while guiding students through the JA activities and sharing their personal stories about education and their chosen career path. Thank you to Texas A&M Central Texas, the Warriors Accounting Society and Killeen ISD Career Center for coming together for this event. Because of you Junior Achievement was able to bring financial literacy education to a new group of students who otherwise would not have had access to these programs. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

JA Maker Bowl 2019

Last week, JA Maker Bowl brought together Austin-area businesses and supporters of JA of Central Texas for an afternoon of friendly competition, fun with colleagues and friends as well as the opportunity to raise funds to help bring JA’s programs to more students. Our hats go off to the Westlake Gutter Girls Team and to Bill Taylor for winning the coveted fundraising prizes. Special thanks go to EY for being a Kingpin Sponsor and to MHA Architecture and Agile Assets for their Lane Sponsorships.

A Glimmer of Hope enables JA Start Up Summer Incubator at LBJ High School

The Mess Means We're Working

JA Start Up Summer Incubator keeps students engaged and new ventures emerge. 

During June, JA students worked through their business ventures as part of A Glimmer of Hope Austin's investment in our programs at LBJ High School. Program participants learned the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, worked on new ventures, received mentorship and worked on prototyping new ideas.