Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661
MADISON – Two Wisconsin high school seniors have been named “Young Entrepreneurs of the Year” by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Public Instruction. The pair, Kristen Bare of Sauk Prairie High School and Anthony Hernandez of Waukesha North High School, will be recognized during the first national Entrepreneurship Week USA, February 25-March 2.
“I am delighted to announce the first winners of this new honor,” said Commerce Secretary Mary P. Burke. “Kristen and Anthony are both great examples of Wisconsin’s best and brightest young entrepreneurial spirit.”
“Through hard work and determination, these two students have embraced their dreams and turned them into successful businesses,” said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. “Their ability to take financial risks, balance priorities, and follow their ambitions are the essence of entrepreneurship and exemplify our efforts to help students understand their roles in the family, society, and world of work.”
Kristen runs an agricultural business out of her family farm in rural Sauk Prairie. She raises and markets cattle, dairy cows and chickens. Anthony operates two businesses – Tony’s Mowing and Plowing and Turf Doctors, LLC. They will each receive a recognition plaque signed by Governor Jim Doyle, as well as a free business counseling session through a Wisconsin Small Business Development Center near them, and an opportunity to receive business mentorship.
Kristen and Anthony will also be featured in their own live, one-hour web casts on March 1 where they will have the opportunity to talk about their businesses and answer questions from other young, aspiring entrepreneurs. The web casts will be broadcast from their respective high schools: Anthony Hernandez at 9:30-10:30 a.m. and Kristen Bare at 2:30-3:30 pm.
To access the web casts and submit questions to these two successful entrepreneurs, link to: http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-YouthEntrepreneurWebcast.html
For more information regarding Entrepreneurship Week USA contact Carol Dunn, small business ombudsman, at 608/267-0297 or carol.dunn@wisconsin.gov or visit http://www.entrepreneurshipweekusa.com
