The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies

04/05/2026

From all of us at CES, wishing you a blessed Easter filled with hope, purpose, and new beginnings.

04/01/2026

Today I was asked by a young man to provide more details about the problem-solving skills youth will learn at the Youth Summit. I was really glad to be asked because it proves that youth are indeed thinking.

At the Youth Innovation Summit, you won’t just “learn about” problem-solving; you’ll do it in real time.

You’ll be introduced to design thinking, a mindset used by entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators to tackle real-world challenges. It’s not about having the “right answer”, it’s about learning how to figure things out when there isn’t one.

Here’s what you’ll experience:

1. Understanding real problems
You’ll start by looking at challenges that actually exist in your community. not made-up scenarios. Think housing, environment, business ideas, or everyday frustrations people face.

2. Thinking like a social entrepreneur
You’ll learn how to create solutions that don’t just make money, but also make a difference. That’s the heart of a social enterprise, business with purpose.

3. Creative idea generation
You’ll be pushed to think beyond the obvious, come up with bold ideas, and build on each other’s thinking. No boring worksheets here.

4. Rapid prototyping
Instead of overthinking, you’ll build quick versions of your ideas...test them, break them, improve them. This is where things get fun.

5. Team collaboration & communication
You’ll work with others, learn how to pitch ideas, and gain confidence speaking up and being heard.

6. Resilience and adaptability
Not everything will work the first time, and that’s the point. You’ll learn how to adjust, rethink, and keep going.

The mindset you’ll walk away with:
Instead of asking, “What’s the right answer?”
You’ll start asking, “How can I create a better solution?”

And once that switch flips, it changes everything!

03/31/2026

This is bigger than one event. It’s about opening doors that many young people don’t even realize exist yet.

At the Priscilla Conner Youth Innovation Challenge, students will work directly with Sal & Chinloo Lama — engineers who are not only building incredible things, but also showing what’s possible for the next generation.

This experience is about more than engineering…it’s about helping young people see themselves in spaces they may have never imagined.

👉 Your ideas matter.
👉 Your future is bigger than you think.

We’re creating a space where thinkers, doers, and builders come together to solve real problems and build something meaningful.

🚨 Last chance to join us
📅 April 10 | UMF
⏰ Apply by April 1 at 5 PM
Registration link: https://forms.gle/oxjYqZFSiYJewYP59



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcj7Jl4LQXI

We've been making content for a couple of months now and have been asked a few questions we thought we should address in a video.*We are SOLIDWORKS employees...

03/30/2026

At the Priscilla Conner Youth Innovation Challenge, students will learn from engineers Sal & Chinloo Lama, the minds behind projects like this. ⬇️

This is the level of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on thinking they bring.

Now let’s be clear…we’re not building drift bikes on this day, but we ARE introducing you to them so you can access the opportunities and can:
⚡Be Confident
⚡Develop Real-world problem solving skills
⚡Be able to take an idea and turn it into something real with the CES team

🚨 Final days to apply
📅 April 10 | UMF
⏰ Deadline: April 1 at 5 PM
Link to Register: https://forms.gle/WAyUoGcwpJuEBbgy9



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oAgMYJ8cQ0

03/29/2026

Ready to change the world and build something of your own? 🌍✨
Final days to join the Priscilla Conner Youth Innovation Challenge.
Apply by April 1 at 5 PM. 🚀. REGISTRATION LINK: https://forms.gle/sY99ZYSrcYJR1E7LA

03/28/2026

LAST CHANCE TO UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL! 🚀 APRIL 1, 5:00 PM: Registration closes for the Youth Innovation Challenge on April 10 - and the best part? It's FREE! 💡 Don't miss this opportunity to turn your ideas into reality!

03/11/2026

Huge thank you to Mrs. Priscilla Conner for setting the bar high AND to AVCOG for reaching out and inviting us to help bring this opportunity to life. We are honored to facilitate this inaugural event and can’t wait to see what these young innovators create! Let’s build the next generation of CES Youth Changemakers together.

Know a 14–18 year old who should be in the room? Have them scan the QR code to register. Big ideas start young!!!

01/13/2026

Amazing inventions can come from our young people.....

A simple idea with world-changing potential.

Heman Bekele has been named TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year after developing a low-cost soap designed to help treat and prevent certain types of skin cancer.

His idea focuses on accessibility, aiming to make cancer prevention affordable and reachable for communities around the world. At just 15, his work has already drawn global attention from scientists, educators, and medical professionals.

01/10/2026

Some feel good messaging. "Dream as big as you can, and who knows where the road will take you."

12/29/2025

CES will be closed from January 5 through January 29, with reopening on January 30.

After five and a half years of continuous, full-tilt work, this brief pause allows us to step away for a rare personal opportunity and to intentionally prepare for what’s next. January is traditionally a quieter season following the holidays, and this timing allows us to be thoughtful, strategic, and ready.

We are gearing up for an exciting new chapter beginning February 1, including the launch of work connected to our Northern Border Regional Commission grant. That work deserves focus, energy, and a well-rested leadership team.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and belief in the mission. CES isn’t slowing down, it’s sharpening the pencil.

We’ll see you soon.

P.S. This short reset means we’ll be coming back recharged, focused, and ready to deliver big things for our youth and community. February is stacked, and we can’t wait to get back to work!

12/21/2025

Some days, the biggest joy at CES comes from the small stuff. A young person using the label maker to proudly post: “Free, but take 4 max", on the candy cane container. A message sent to youth co-workers reminding each other to apply discounts correctly. Another message saying, “The store is too small right now. There are 14 people in here shopping.” I just have to stop and smile. What I’m seeing is ownership and pride. It’s CES Changemakers who are paying attention, looking out for one another, and taking their roles seriously. Not because someone told them to, but because they care. There’s an innocence and empowerment at CES that’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. Our youth CES Changemakers are bought in. They’re learning real skills while being authentically themselves. And that combination? It’s powerful. This is why we do this work. Everything is working exactly the way it should and we are blessed. All this while the boss lady is home with the flu. ❤️

12/04/2025

Socks so bright, they'll make your feet feel like it's summer! 🌞 Don't be a party pooper, wear your most outrageous, festive footwear to our store and get ready to be sole-mates with our epic sock collection! 👣 Come on down and let's get this foot party started!