Monroe County Startup

05/22/2026

As the 2025-2026 Monroe County StartUP year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on just how much this group experienced in only nine months.

This class met with mentors, bankers, CEOs, founders, and community leaders. They pitched businesses, received difficult feedback, solved problems, represented themselves professionally, built relationships, and stepped into situations many adults would find uncomfortable.

One lesson repeated time and time again by our guest speakers was that careers rarely follow a straight path. The twists, turns, and unexpected opportunities often become the moments that shape who you are and where you ultimately end up.

The majority of these students have now graduated and begun entirely new chapters.

To the Class of 2025-2026: Continue setting your goals higher than what feels comfortable, because you are capable of far more than you realize. I am incredibly proud of you!

This class is filled with leadership, ambition, resilience, creativity, and tremendous potential. I watched you grow in confidence, communication, professionalism, and your willingness to challenge yourselves. I have no doubt you will go on to build businesses, lead organizations, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for others.

As you move into your next chapter, continue setting your goals higher than what feels comfortable. Aim bigger. Expect more from yourself. Stay curious. Take risks. View unexpected turns as opportunities instead of obstacles.

Thank you to our students, families, mentors, board members, sponsors, guest speakers, and supporters who continue making Monroe County StartUP possible.

To the StartUP Class of 2025-2026: Thank you for your efforts, your willingness to embrace challenges, and for making this an exceptional year. I look forward to watching what each of you accomplishes next.

- Jim Hopkins

05/22/2026

Thank you to Jim Schutte for returning to Monroe County StartUP during our final week of class.

With all but one student graduating this year, Jim was invited back to help close out the experience and share perspective as students prepare to begin entirely new chapters.

Jim has a unique ability to connect leadership, business, and life experiences in a way that challenges others to think differently, ask bigger questions, and reflect on the paths they want to pursue moving forward.

As students prepare to leave Monroe County and step into college, careers, entrepreneurship, and new environments - conversations like these are tremendously valuable.

Thank you, Jim, for investing your time in our students for a second visit this year and for helping provide a meaningful send-off to an exceptional group of young adults.

Your willingness to share openly, challenge thinking, and encourage the next generation is sincerely appreciated!

05/21/2026

A sincere thank you to Chris and Stephanie Chambers for joining Monroe County StartUP during our final week of class to share an important message as our students prepare to spread their wings beyond the communities many have called home their entire lives.

Monroe County is a unique place to grow up. The safety, support, and sense of community many of our students have experienced here is something special. As students graduate and move into college, careers, and new environments, understanding that the world may look different beyond our county lines is important.

Chris and Stephanie shared practical advice and real-world perspectives on topics including campus safety, drink spiking, safe driving habits, seat belt use, distracted driving, situational awareness, and personal responsibility.

These conversations may not always be comfortable, but they are necessary.

Thank you both for investing your time, experience, and genuine care into preparing our students not only for professional success, but also for the everyday decisions that help keep them safe.

The impact of guest speakers often extends far beyond a single class period. I expect this conversation will remain with many students for years to come.

Thank you, Chris and Stephanie, for helping equip the next generation as they begin new chapters.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Hope Schwartz, our 2025-2026 Monroe County StartUP Entrepreneur of the Year!

This year’s Entrepreneur of the Year selection came from an exceptional group of students, making the decision especially difficult. The applicants represented impressive growth, strong businesses, professionalism, and a willingness to challenge themselves.

Serving as Class CEO, Hope consistently demonstrated strong leadership and a presence that naturally encouraged others to follow. Whether guiding discussions, supporting classmates, or taking initiative, her confidence helped shape the culture and experience of this year’s class.

At the conclusion of the program, she distinguished herself through her preparation, business understanding, professionalism, and overall performance in the Entrepreneur of the Year selection process.

Hope’s growth throughout the year has been impressive, and I have no doubt her leadership, ambition, and determination will continue creating opportunities far beyond Monroe County StartUP.

Congratulations again to our 2025-2026 Monroe County StartUP Entrepreneur of the Year!

04/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s trade show! It was such a great experience for the students to get out there and pitch their businesses and so much fun seeing them in action! We hope everyone got to see what an amazing program this is and everything we’ve been working on over the past several months. If you grabbed any business cards, be sure to reach out and connect. If you loved your products or services, let us know—we’d love to hear from you. Thank you again for all the support!

04/26/2026

04/25/2026

Our Monroe County Startup Trade Show is tomorrow! Be sure to come out and show your support from 1–4 PM at The View. Come learn more about our program, see what we’ve been working on, and check out the businesses students have worked so hard to build.

Not sure what to expect? Students will each have their own tables set up with displays showcasing their businesses, products, and services. Stop by each table, ask them about their ideas, and hear their pitches firsthand. Grab some business cards, take pamphlets with brief bios of each business and what they offer, and share the event with your friends. Many students will be selling products, while others will be offering services, custom orders, and quotes.

Enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments, and feel free to step outside and explore the balcony while you’re there. We hope to see you tomorrow!

04/24/2026

Need help finding us on event day? We’ve got you covered! This quick video walks you through exactly where to park, where to find the elevator, which floor to go to, and where to head once you arrive.

While you’re there, be sure to bring money and shop the trade show—many student businesses will be selling products, taking custom orders, and offering bookings or quotes for services!

If you have any questions, DM us or feel free to reach out. We can’t wait to see you there!

04/22/2026

Join us on April 26th at The View for an exciting showcase of student innovation and creativity at our upcoming Trade Show! Discover unique products, meet passionate young entrepreneurs, and support the next generation of business leaders. Stop by, shop local, and see the hard work our students have turned into real businesses.

04/19/2026

Here’s another one of our student entrepreneurs who will be at the pop-up this weekend: Big Day Baskets, a business that curates thoughtful baskets for special occasions and takes the stress out of gift giving so you and your loved ones can simply enjoy the moment.

Stop by to shop local, support student-owned businesses, and celebrate the creativity and dedication these young entrepreneurs have put into their work. We hope to see you there!

✨We’re doing a Pop-Up tomorrow at Makers on Main Street and would love to see you there! ✨