Kaitlynn Bono wins Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

Four Baldwin High School students participated in the second annual Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge March 1 at Baker University in Collins Library. Each student prepared a written business plan, performed an elevator pitch, had a trade show booth and gave a formal presentation.

The first-place winner was Kaitlynn Bono, a junior, and her business Katie’s Bath Essentials. She sells all-natural products, including bug spray, lip balm, hand sanitizer, body butter and shaving cream. She received $1,500 and will compete at the state level in April at Kansas State University.

Brooke Peterson, a freshman, and her business Everbrin Jewelry took second place and earned $1,000. Brooke sells earrings that are custom-made and lightweight. Grady McCune, a sophomore, and Anthony Dunn, a junior, took third and fourth place, respectively, and each received $500. Their businesses were both food-related. Grady’s business was called Grady’s Crepe Shack and Anthony’s was a cookie business called Desserts First.

Douglas County supports the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) program in association with the Network Kansas E-Community Partnership. Douglas County is one of many communities across Kansas to host an event designed to give students a hands-on entrepreneurship experience.