Pacific Northwest Youth Entrepreneur Expo (PNWYEE) is a one-day free-to-the-public community event that aims to "Bring the Joy of Creativity" to the community. Their mission is to provide a platform for youth entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their creations, alongside offering entertainment, food, and children’s activities. PNWYEE promotes cultural experiences and community support, with proceeds benefiting local charities. Kirkland Lifestyle caught up with five participants about the businesses they created for the expo.
Name: Avani Bansal
Age: 16
Name of Business: Dream Dresses Nonprofit
Business Description:
Dream Dresses is a 501c3 nonprofit that donates traditional Indian clothes to underprivileged kids in India. We have donated to over 9500 underprivileged kids, allowing them to celebrate Indian festivals in the proper attire that they would otherwise not be able to. Dream Dresses has collection centers in 10 different states (including WA) in the US and is an international organization, with bases in the US, UK, and India. More info here: dreamdresses.org
What inspired your idea?
Dream Dresses was inspired by both the large need for traditional clothes in India and the lack of places available for people to donate them. We create a win-win situation by collecting traditional clothes from Indian families in the US and UK and distributing them to underprivileged kids in India.
Name: Taanvi Arekapudi
Age: 15
Name of Business: Uplift Teens Today
Business Description:
Uplift Teens Today’s goal is to break the stigma among youth, share resources, and provide support to help them on their mental health journey. I wrote Uplift Teens Today: Coping Strategies for Mental Health and the Emotion Cards Deck as the first teen-to teen mental health resources.
What inspired your idea?
My personal lived experiences inspired me to help not only myself but my peers. At the age of nine, I found myself struggling with my mental health after unexpectedly moving to a brand-new country. Trying to adjust to a new culture and make new friends while dealing with the normal pressures of being a teenager, I began experiencing anxiety, isolation, and low self-esteem. I sought out coping strategies to help me navigate these overwhelming feelings and began to heal my mental health. I learned that mental health is something that we all need to take care of and that there are things we can do to improve our mental well-being. Now, I am dedicated to helping other struggling teenagers by sharing the coping strategies I learned. I want others to know that they are not alone and with the right support and tools, anyone can learn to manage their mental health and thrive.
Name: Shraavya, Ameya
Age: 8 years, 9 years
Name of Business: Thalir Treasures
Business Description:
As two young entrepreneurs, they are committed to handcrafting unique items with love and dedication. The business model is designed to raise funds and support educational opportunities for underprivileged children. Each sale serves as a catalyst to inspire others to join them in their mission to make a lasting impact. Together, they craft with care, sell with purpose, and pave the way for brighter futures for children in need.
What inspired your idea?
The love for art and the thought that every kid deserves education and basic needs. Thus, Thalir was born to achieve this goal.
Name: Rehet Kapoor and Siri Mutalik Desai
Age: 16
Name of Business: Sketchbook Studios
Business Description:
Sketchbook Studios is an initiative dedicated to fostering a love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) concepts and promoting the development of critical thinking skills in children through art. Through our Imagine Labs program, we teach weekly STEM lessons at preschools to create a positive atmosphere where children can explore difficult concepts in an engaging manner.
What inspired your idea for your business?
It all started during a visit to The Sammamish Montessori School, where we observed a growing emphasis on the art within STEM curriculum in classrooms due to high parent demand. Since both of us are incredibly passionate about art and STEM ourselves, we began thinking about hosting workshops to inspire that same passion for art and STEM in young children as well. The Expressions Arts Prep Academy and Microgrant programs provided us with the resources to bring these workshops to life and create Sketchbook Studios. Now, we host weekly STEAM workshops at The Sammamish Montessori School, have raised over $9,000 to donate back to Expressions Arts, and have been able to turn STEM into something that kids enjoy and look forward to.