Women To Watch – National Teen Girl Entrepreneur Contest

I’m going in a slightly different direction for today’s Women To Watch series because it is timely and it’s a great opportunity for our future women entrepreneurs. It is our responsibility to raise our daughters with the mindset of an entrepreneur and empower them to know their idea could blossom into the next woman owned business.  When I came across the contest below I had to share it with you.

Girls Going Places®

The Guardian Life Insurance Company yesterday announced the final call for nominations for their 10th Annual Girls Going Places® Entrepreneurship Award Program. The program will grant a total of $30,000 to 15 teen business owners who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurship and community service.

The program is designed to reward the enterprising spirits of 15 girls ages 12 to 18  who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship; are taking the first steps toward financial independence; and make a difference in their schools and communities.

“We believe that it is important to introduce entrepreneurship and financial knowledge as early as possible. If teens are exposed to information at a young age, it becomes very natural for them as they get older”

Guardian created Girls Going Places in 1999 to educate young women about the financial and entrepreneurial opportunities available to them. To date, the program has received over 40,000 submissions from teen girls and has awarded over $250k to almost 100 young entrepreneurs.

How To Enter

Submissions will be accepted through February 26, 2010. You can download the submission form here.  Teachers, parents, and community members are encouraged to nominate young female entrepreneurs between the ages of 12 and 18.  Girls cannot nominate themselves but MUST have a 750 word recommendation letter written by an adult.

The recommendation letter should address how the nominee:

• Demonstrates budding entrepreneurship or financial acumen?
• Takes the first steps towards financial independence?
• Makes the difference in your community or people’s lives?

Nominee’s personal statement should cover their thoughts on:

• Entrepreneurship
• Business leadership
• Financial independence
• Giving back to the community

The Prizes

• First Place:  $10,000
• Second Place:  $5,000
• Third Place:  $3,000
• 12 finalists are granted prizes of $1,000 each.

Girls can use the award to reinvest in their entrepreneurial projects or to save for college.

Additional information about the program and nomination forms for the competition can be found at “Girls Going Places” and online at YouTube, MySpace and Facebook (Keyword: GirlsGoingPlaces)

What a wonderful opportunity to encourage our daughters and budding young female entrepreneurs!  I hope we each know at least one such young lady in our life and will take the time to nominate them.  Just the nomination in itself will encourage their spirit.  I will do a follow up post when the winners are announced, so watch for it.

Guardian has proven to be a strong supporter of women in business.  They are the National Association of Women Business Owner’s Corporate Partner of the Year and have some tremendous resources on their Women’s Channel. It’s worth checking out.

Do you know of any young female entrepreneurs?  Are there any other contests featuring women in business that you would like to share? Please leave the info and any comments you have below.  I love hearing from you!

To Your Success,

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Tagged as:  Contest · Female Entrepreneurs · Women To Watch