OppenheimerFunds and NFTE would like to congratulate the finalists of the 2009 National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge!
$10,000 First Place Winner - Kalief Rollins, 17
Carson, California
$5,000 Second Place Winner - Zoe Damacela, 17
Zoe Damacela Apparel
Chicago, Illinois
$2,500 Third Place Winner - Scott Paiva, 18
Express Tax Service
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Kalief, Zoe and Scott not only scored the top prizes, they were also invited to the White House to meet with President Obama! Click here to see photos and read more about their experience.
And congratulations to all 28 students who presented their business plans in this year's competition! Click here for a complete list of competitors.
Click here to read the press release announcing the Challenge winners.
More about Kalief Rollins
“I’ve been an entrepreneur pretty much all of my life.”
Since the age of seven, Kalief has been selling whatever he could get his hands on to make money – first he sold candy to his classmates, then jewelry, which he would buy wholesale and sell for a good profit. Kalief’s uncle suggested that he and his brother should start a clothing business since Anthony liked drawing and Kalief was a born salesman, but the two brothers never pursued it because they didn’t have the equipment. Taking the NFTE class gave Kalief the skills that he needed to turn the idea into reality. His business, which he is still developing a name for, creates custom-made T-shirts. Kalief is currently attending Southwest Community College where he’s majoring in business. He hopes to transfer to USC during his junior year, go on to get an MBA, and eventually open his own store.
More about Zoe Damacela
“NFTE taught me how to be more responsible and more focused.”
At the age of 14, Zoe began selling custom made clothes. Since starting her own business, the high school senior has sold dozens of original designs. Zoe has worked with Chicago designers Nicole Valeri and Tennille White, and she has extensive experience in fashion show production. In the coming months, she plans to expand from one to three fashion shows of her own. The young entrepreneur has her own website and style blog, and she has been featured on Oprah’s Angel Network. After graduating from high school, Zoe plans to attend the Rhode Island School of Design and major in fashion and business. Eventually, she plans to open her own store.
More about Scott Paiva
“I loved having to come up with my own business idea from scratch – one that would work for me.”
For Scott, the desire to become an entrepreneur was a case of “like father, like son.” Scott’s dad owns and operates a financial services company; and, ever since he can remember, Scott has wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and be his own boss. So when he had the opportunity to take the NFTE class being offered at New Bedford High School, Scott was enthusiastic. He surveyed his fellow students to find out how much they would be willing to pay to have their taxes done by a high school or college student. So for his business plan, Scott created Express Tax Service, a tax preparation service for young people. Scott is attending Suffolk University where he’ll major in finance. Eventually, he plans to open a business of his own.
