Transforming Ideas into Businesses exists to mentor youth who have a passion for business so that they can turn their ideas into reality. Our goal is to serve youth ages 18-30 in Croix-des-Bouquets, which is located west of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. This project will impact this community by creating jobs, improving the local economy, and bringing people from different financial backgrou
nds together. Through providing start-up funding, we attempt to ensure that the businesses and their employees get off to a strong start and become sustainable. Providing jobs will fuel the economy because employees will spend more of their money in the local market. New small businesses will attract other business owners to the community. Improving the local economy will have a direct impact on the quality of life for Haitians in Croix-Des-Bouquets. The relationships that will be built between the youth and their mentors will bridge the gap between social classes, creating life-long connections that bring the community together. We plan to accomplish this goal with three main strategies:
Training: In the first year of the program we will train 30 youth for six months followed by three months of mentorship and project work. Training will include entrepreneurial mindset, marketing, business plan creation, and leadership skills. Local business owners will be invited to speak about their business and experience. Mentoring: After the youth successfully complete the training, they will enter into the mentorship part of our program. Successful business owners will be recruited as mentors and will meet with the youth one-on-one, listening to ideas and making suggestions that support the youth’s development, preparing them to be a successful entrepreneur. Financing: We will solicit sponsors and write grants to finance three of the 30 best youth projects. In the first year of the program the amount of money provided for each project will be 2,500 dollars. Financed projects will be evaluated and chosen by a jury of local business and community leaders.
