A Newark Young Entrepreneur Reflects on Her Experiences

For the last three years, Newark Regional Business Partnership has sponsored and operated the Newark Young Entrepreneur's Academy (Newark YEA!) program. Designed to educate business minded youth and young adults about what it takes to actually start and run their own business, Newark YEA! has transformed multiple Newark middle and high school students into genuine, confident entrepreneurs. Through the 21-week program, students generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel of investors, and launch their very own companies.

(Kutorkor with her mother at the Saunders Scholars Competition)

Kutorkor Kotey is a rising junior at Bard High School Early College in Newark. She is also the sole proprietor of Kutor's Kloset, a unisex cultural accessories line, and she was the Newark representative for the 2018 Saunders Scholars Competition. NRBP and Newark YEA! are proud of Kutorkor's hard work and we look forward to supporting her as she moves forward with her business. Below, Kutorkor shares her experiences in our program. Send Kutor's Kloset an email for more information about the company.

For more information about the Newark Young Entrepreneur's Academy please contact Program Manager Emily Manz.

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As a student who is pursuing a career in business, participating in Newark YEA! was a great way to learn how to do what I love, which is making clothes. I have always been interested in fashion and have made some items in the past so when I heard the news of an after-school program that caters to youth and helps them create and launch their own businesses I was elated and couldn’t wait to apply. Being a part of this program has taught me how a business actually operates. I learned how to calculate gross profit, labor costs etc... Things I wasn't learning in school.

I joined the Newark YEA! program with the mindset of just creating my business, I didn't think that I would be selected to go to the Saunders Scholars Competition in Rochester, NY to represent the program and the city of Newark.

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Kutorkor (center) pictured with NRBP President & CEO Chip Hallock (left) & Newark YEA! Program Manager Emily Manz (right) at the Saunders Scholars Competition

I was filled with gratitude when I was told the news and as the time went by and it got closer to the day I was filled with all kind of emotions…excitement, nervousness etc. Even though I was nervous I would not trade this experience for anything else. I got the opportunity to meet like-minded people, share our business ideas and exchange contact information. Meeting the contestants encouraged me to continue with my business. I plan on starting small and eventually expanding into stores. Aside from meeting really great people, I enjoyed the hospitality everyone showed. My mom and I were provided with refreshments, t-shirts etc... The hotel room we stayed at for this period of time was really amazing.

This journey has been life changing and I couldn't have done it without the Newark YEA! program.