Even though they can come in every age, there’s something inherently youthful about entrepreneurs.
It takes an idealistic spirit to believe that your abilities, ideas, and products will succeed in the marketplace—and boundless energy to see that they do. And since cultivating entrepreneurs is vital to the creation of a vibrant economy, it’s one of many reasons why the Business Development Board of Martin County is so excited about the addition of Indiantown High School to our community.
Opening Aug. 9, the school will serve ninth through 11th graders. Operated by Indian River State College in partnership with the Martin County School District, Indiantown High School will give students access to a unique educational experience.
Like Clark Advanced Learning Center—which is located on IRSC’s Chastain campus so students can also take college classes—Indiantown High School will offer students the chance to earn college credits as well as technical certifications in variety of trades and vocations. The discipline and determination required for a young person—especially one still in high school—to earn such achievements will not, I’m confident, be lost on a prospective employer.
As they advance in their schooling the students can gain access to an impressive assortment of academies such as Medical Science, Emerging Technology, Mechanical Technology, Construction Technology and Environmental Technology. They can study for and earn certifications, among others, in Medical Assisting, EKG, automotive repairs, electrical, welding, HVAC, agriculture, Social Media Strategy, Adobe Illustrator, and Business Communication.
One of the most appealing aspects of Indiantown High School—particularly for a certain personality type—is that it’s right-sized, allowing instructors the ability to provide students with individualized attention. We found this feature especially relevant when considering the Emerging Technology Academy’s certification in Entrepreneurship.
Famously equipped with active minds and abundant energy, entrepreneurs often admit to having a touch of attention deficit disorder. Their impatience and unquenchable curiosity eventually lead to new discoveries.
So, an intimate learning environment with the right dynamics for one-on-one instruction is ideal for creating our next generation of entrepreneurs.
At the BDB, in addition to our core services of site location, financial assistance, market intelligence, business-climate advocacy and speed-to-market support, we support and celebrate entrepreneurs. At the 2022 Martin County Business Awards of the Year, we unveiled a new category, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year.
Keegan Nunes captured the inaugural prize for her company, K-Soaps, for which she sculpts gorgeous bars of organic soap using a cold-press recipe she refined herself. She even donates a care bag of soaps to people in need with every sale. If you really want to feel inspired (and humbled), note that she took home the honor at the ripe old age of 11!
While Keegan set the bar (pardon the pun) high, we have no doubt that thanks to Indiantown High School, plenty more remarkable young entrepreneurs will soon join her ranks in the future.
Onward and upward Martin County . . . our future is bright!
This article can also be found in the July 9, 2023, Friends and Neighbors of Martin County Newsletter.
