Celebrating Local Entrepreneurs

Image caption: Cord Cleist, Skinny's Barbeque

From Kitchen Dreams to Culinary Success
By Cord Kleist, Skinny's Barbeque

I started working at a gas station/godfathers pizza at the age of 16.  From that first paycheck I was itching for another.   I worked hard and found myself rewarded with more shifts = more money.  I later found myself working for my brother and his business partners at a fast paced, order at the counter burrito/ taco spot, then called Mami’s Authentic, now called Estella’s located in Iowa city.  I used my hard work ethic and found myself leading others to do the same at a young age.  

My mom, dad and I opened Boonies on the Avenue when I was 18. We learned from the ground up and found out what true entrepreneurship was all about.  This only built my confidence and leadership skills, which I recommend everyone to work in hospitality at least once in their life.   

My favorite thing about being an entrepreneur is that my success is in my hands. Junior Achievement prepares the youth, the importance of running a business and what it all entails at young age.  I like to think these values being taught not only help in your business career but every day life.   

Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but with a positive attitude and a good personality it’s a lot easier! The thrill of doing something WELL is the chase that I am always chasing. That’s entrepreneurship to me.

Image caption: Grant Jaques, JA Student

The High School Entrepreneur’s Journey
By Grant Jaques, JA Student

When I was younger, I would accompany my dad when he would run his own stall in a local antique mall. He would go to garage sales, thrift stores, and auctions to find his inventory, and as time progressed, he taught me more and more about what antiques to look for and let me buy some myself. Eventually, we felt that the stall wasn't an efficient use of time, and at that point, we moved to online sales through eBay. A couple of years ago I was given the reins of the business so to speak, and I've been reselling out of my basement ever since. Because reselling hinges on finding cool and unique items, and meeting nice people with interesting stories, I don't see myself giving it up anytime soon!

Junior Achievement has helped me fully realize the importance of being able to do this as a side gig. I have learned important entrepreneurial skills and personal responsibility. I've gained confidence in my professional skills to go out and meet new people who are also in resale. On top of that, I've learned the importance of personal finance in the form of saving and investing, which gives me the reasoning to continue to resell and allows my business to keep going. I believe all of these skills are so foundational for any young person looking to go into business, and Junior Achievement teaches them to you!

Image caption: Cynthia Flores, Owner of The Wandering Crowd

From Hustle to Hope: How I Turned My Passion for Bartending Into a Business
By Cynthia Flores, Owner of The Wandering Crowd

Becoming a single parent can be one of the most challenging transitions in life. I know this from personal experience. I remember juggling two jobs—a full-time corporate position and a part-time bartending gig—just to make ends meet. But when COVID-19 hit, everything came to a halt. My part-time bartending job disappeared overnight, and I found myself forced to reassess my future. 

For a long time, I felt stuck in the grind of working hard but seeing little reward. But during the lockdown, with all the extra time to reflect, I realized something crucial: I loved bartending, I loved crafting drinks and serving people. I loved the energy, the creativity, and most of all, the human connection. That realization became my turning point.

Instead of letting the uncertainty of the pandemic keep me down, I used that time to research and learn about the mobile bar industry, which was gaining traction across the nation. I’d always enjoyed the social aspect of bartending the job, but I didn’t fully understand the depth of business operations. However, I knew I was ready for a change. So, I dove in, learned everything I could, and by the end of 2022, I took the leap and started my own mobile bar and bartending service business, The Wandering Crowd.

Looking back, I realize that I wasn’t starting from scratch. I had a foundation of business knowledge I didn’t even know I had. As a child, I participated in the Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown program, which gave me a real-world look at business operations. I learned about teamwork, leadership, and communication—skills that would be essential to running a business, even though I didn’t realize their full impact at the time.

Now, as a mother of three teenagers who’ve also had the opportunity to participate in the JA program, I can see how invaluable those experiences were. The JA BizTown program helped me understand financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and the power of collaboration, and I’m thrilled to see my kids gaining those same skills. It’s not just about academic knowledge; it’s about preparing them for the real world.

When I first started The Wandering Crowd, I didn’t know everything there was to know about business operations, but I did know how to connect with people, create memorable experiences, and bring joy through great drinks and good conversation. Those passions and skills carried me through the tough moments in my business journey and continue to guide me as I grow.

Starting this business has not only given me a fresh sense of purpose but also the flexibility to build a life that works for me and my family. It’s a constant hustle, yes, but it’s a hustle with purpose and rewards that go beyond just financial gain. And, perhaps most importantly, I’ve found that success doesn’t always come from a traditional 9-to-5 grind. Sometimes, it comes from taking a risk, following your passion, and learning as you go.

As a mother, business owner, and former JA BizTown participant, I encourage others—especially young people—to seize opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and leadership. Those lessons will stay with you and shape your future, just as they’ve shaped mine.

I want to thank Junior Achievement for being a part of my foundation. I’m excited to continue sharing experiences, building connections, and creating unforgettable moments through The Wandering Crowd.

Image caption: AJ Broman, JA Student

From Classroom to Marketplace: How One Student Entrepreneur is Thriving on Amazon
By AJ Vroman, JA Student

I decided to sell on Amazon while on a family vacation in Florida. My mom read an article about a high school student that started selling on Amazon in order to maintain a flexible schedule during school. My mom forwarded the article to me and suggested that I look into it. I was excited at the prospects of being in control of both my studies as well as the potential profit I could make. At the start, it wasn't always easy or fun as I was trying to understand all of the rules and requirements of being a Seller. However, a year and a half later, I could not have imagined where the business is today. 

Junior Achievement helped me launch my business since I was taught from a young age how to balance a checkbook and things like handling money and dealing with inventory management. Those skills are critical when it comes to running a business smoothly. The Junior Achievement program is very important for all kids regardless of if they are interested in business or not. It is very important for them to learn the skills that are taught to have the right foot forward in life. For those who are interested in business, it allows them to speak with local business leaders and even practice running their own at JA BizTown. They can have questions answered and get inspiration from volunteers who give their time. 

I feel that Junior Achievement is a very important piece of learning in every student's life, and helped me start my own business. I sincerely thank all of the volunteers and staff who taught me invaluable lessons when it comes to business ownership and day-to-day operations.