M.O.B. begun in 1997, is a community outreach project that seeks to advance the personal and vocational development of Trenton youth through entrepreneurship education and mentoring.   M.O.B.’s supportive, mentoring relationships and active-learning curriculum strongly support the development of important life skills, positive attitudes toward school and learning, and students’ self-esteem.  M.O.B. has three components: the Spring Program, the Summer Program, and the Advanced Program.

The M.O.B. Spring Program is a 12-week after-school program that serves about approximately 200 students at four Trenton middle-schools.  Students, divided into teams, attend twelve 90-minute training sessions.  Mentors, who are Rider College of Business Administration students, guide student teams through the process of starting and running a business, from concept to business plan to start-up loan, to grand opening.  Their efforts culminate in a Market Fair Day in which they put their businesses to the test.

The M.O.B. Summer Program provides 50 Trenton youth the opportunity to start and run a business individually (rather than as a team) during the summer.  Students participate in 12 days of entrepreneurial training at Rider University followed by 4 Saturday Market Fairs where students run their businesses with the support of volunteer mentors from the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce (MTAACC), parents, and business students from Rider University.  Students also participate in workshops on conflict resolution, career planning, use of the internet, operating a music business and preparation for college entrance; and they visit the wholesale district in New York City to buy the merchandise necessary to run their businesses at the four summer market fairs.

The M.O.B. Advanced Program is a new program designed for distinguished Summer Program alumni, ages 13-16, who are still operating their businesses but who need additional training and support to make their businesses more sustainable. The program will involve one week of intensive training at Rider University. Students will live on the Rider campus during that week. This will allow students to concentrate on their training without the distractions of their home environments. Central to the training is the development of skills and knowledge for students to make their businesses more sustainable. Students will learn how to achieve competitive advantages for their businesses. As part of the program, monthly business coaching sessions will provide needed support to the health and viability of our students’ businesses. At each session a seasoned entrepreneur from the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce (MTAACC) will share its expertise with students. Students will also reflect about their own entrepreneurial experience and will plan to run their businesses more effectively. In addition, students at these sessions will be able to apply for loans to finance business operations or for further expansion.

Impact on Trenton Youth
Research conducted by Hernandez and Newman (2006) on student outcomes supports the assertion that M.O.B. is an excellent model for mentoring and service learning in entrepreneurship of young urban adolescents in the US.  Research indicates that students in M.O.B. become more interested in going to college and in starting their own businesses.  Students participating in M.O.B. observe positive changes in self and improvement in important work/life skills.  Research on academic records data indicates that M.O.B. participation reduces school absenteeism and tardiness.  M.O.B. also improves self-esteem among participating students. (Hernandez and Newman, 2006)

Impact on Rider Mentors
The study by Hernandez and Newman (2006) also indicates favorable short-term effects on Rider mentors.  Mentors' reflections and end-of-program surveys provide evidence of a great learning experience and of the positive impact of M.O.B. on their personal and vocational development.  Most mentors characterize M.O.B. as a great learning experience that cannot be compared with what is learned in other college courses.  Mentors indicate experiencing significant learning about: self, the students, team and mentoring skills, and entrepreneurship.  They report that M.O.B. helps them prepare for the world of work, and that they would recommend M.O.B. to their best friends.

In addition, M.O.B. favorably influence mentors' vocational and personal interests.  The majority of the mentors at the end of the program plan to do more community service and express a greater interest in working with kids in the future.  Mentors clearly express an increased desire to include service to others in their career plans. A significant number of mentors also experience a greater desire to start their own businesses because of M.O.B. Through participation in the program mentors sample the process of starting and running a small business with their students which increases their interest in entrepreneurship as a career.  M.O.B. also helps mentors to understand poverty and to appreciate cultural differences. (Hernandez and Newman 2006)

For more information:
  
   Kevin W. Wortham
   Project Director
   Minding Our Business
   Tel: 609-731-9311
   Email: kevin@trentonbusiness.org
  
   Sigfredo A. Hernandez
   Founder
   Minding Our Business
   Tel: 609-895-5509
   Email: hernandez@rider.edu