YELA

Empowering Future Leaders, One Idea At A Time

Program Details

Six-Week Intensive Summer Cohort (YELA Youth Only)

Cohort Dates: July 7 – August 15, 2025

Age Group: Youth Ages 13–19

Schedule: 3 sessions per week (Virtual)

Session Length: Approximately 2 hours each

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🎯 What Youth Participants Will Gain:

  • Core entrepreneurial and leadership development

  • Creative vision-building through mentorship

  • Financial literacy and credit awareness

  • Mental health & wellness empowerment

  • Branding, presentation, and marketing skills

  • Hands-on tools to prepare for starting a business

6-Week Program Overview

Youth Entrepreneurship & Leadership Academy (YELA)

Each week of YELA is carefully designed to equip your teen (ages 13–19) with essential business and leadership skills. Here's what your student will experience:

Week 1: Ignite the Vision

Your teen will kick off their journey by exploring identity, purpose, and leadership. Through team-building games and guided exercises, they’ll create a personal vision statement and connect with like-minded peers.
🧠 Focus: Self-awareness, confidence, teamwork

Week 2: Business Formation & Financial Foundations

We introduce creative thinking, business ideation, and financial literacy. Students will explore real-world problems, design potential solutions, and hear from guest entrepreneurs.
💡 Focus: Budgeting, innovation, entrepreneurial mindset

Week 3: AI Awareness & Future Tools

Teens will gain an introduction to Artificial Intelligence—what it is, how it works, and how they can ethically and responsibly use it to improve their business ideas.
🤖 Focus: Tech literacy, digital responsibility, creative AI applications

Week 4: Marketing, Branding & Storytelling

Students will dive into marketing principles using Canva, learn to craft their personal brand story, and develop visuals that represent their business idea.
🎨 Focus: Branding, visual communication, storytelling

Week 5: Pitch Like a Pro

This week, your teen will sharpen their public speaking skills and learn how to deliver a confident, compelling business pitch—just like on Shark Tank!
🎤 Focus: Presentation, persuasive communication, elevator pitch mastery

Week 6: Small Business Launch & Celebration

It all comes together! Students present their business idea to a panel of real professionals, receive feedback, earn a Certificate of Completion, and set goals for what’s next.
🏆 Focus: Execution, reflection, recognition

Eligibility Criteria

  • Youth ages 13–19

  • Commitment to full 6-week schedule

  • Completed interest form and intake questionnaire

  • Drive to lead, create, or grow in business and community impact

Contact Us

Open Hours

By Appointment Only

Contact Us

Address: Upland, CA

Email: contact@yela.academy

Telephone: (909) 706-8795