Grow Ellsworth County
ELLSWORTH – After Grow Ellsworth County’s 2nd annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, Thaddeus, Cruz, Owen Donley, of Donley Business Ventures, LLC, and Layton Leiker, of Leiker Lures, qualified for the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge, held at Kansas State University, on Thursday. Both received high accolades and awards.
Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge – A state sanctioned contest sponsored by Kansas Masonic Foundation, Kansas Masons and Network Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Series (YEC). The competition is to encourage entrepreneurship in Kansas.
This competition is open to student-owned, managed and created ventures. Nine individuals and seven groups competed at the local level on February 20 in four different business categories: Executive summary, Elevator pitch, Trade Show, and Formal Presentation.
Leiker is a junior/senior high school student from Ellsworth. The student from Ellsworth Jr./Sr.
Thaddeus Cruz and Owen Donley were the reigning Ellsworth County champions for 2022. They entered the wildcard competition where they qualified themselves to compete on the state level. Their lawn care concept and their real estate development idea was accepted.
The two teams were competing against over 70 entries from states. Each team was judged on its executive summary, mock boardroom panel discussions, and tradeshow. Results were as follows:
Layton Leiker | Leiker Lures – First place Trade Show Winner ($1,000)
Donley Business Ventures -Finalist Rating ($1,700)| Donley Business Ventures -Finalist Rating ($1,700)
There are also cash awards.
Grow Ellsworth County is the leading agency for driving economic prosperity and health to Ellsworth County.
“YEC has created entrepreneurs, leaders, and future business owners in our community. Layton, Thad Cruz and Owen were all outstanding representatives of Ellsworth county and did a great job. The community is proud. “Our future is bright,” Stacie S. Schmidt, Grow Ellsworth County executive director said.
Leiker began by saying, “I am extremely happy to have been able represent Ellsworth County as part of the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge.” “Secondly, thank you to everyone who supported my business or me in any way. I’ve received as much support and encouragement as possible, from business mentors and family members to friends. Stacie is the last person I want to thank for her hard work for Ellsworth County Youth Entrepreneurship and for helping me with my business. Thank you all for your support!”
Grow Ellsworth County in partnership with Network Kansas will offer this opportunity to all Ellsworth County 7-12 grade students every year.
All of the local YEC participant performances can be viewed at www.growellsworthcounty.com.