Participants in the Advanced Minding Our Business program

Rider University’s Minding Our Business (MOB) program produces young entrepreneurs who capture national attention.

Twelve-year-olds Nikita Williamson and Lajirah Thomas, seventh graders at P.J. Hill Elementary School in Trenton, had impressive outcomes in the National Young Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition and Conference in Milwaukee, WI, on March 30. Competing against 300 middle school students nationwide, Williamson won the competition at the junior level, receiving a trophy and a $100 prize. Thomas earned honorable mention and received a certificate.

Both participate in MOB’s Advanced Program that oversees the MOB store on 15 East Front St. in downtown Trenton during the school year. Williamson runs Nikita’s Creations, which allows her to create and sell seasonal flower arrangements, greeting cards and scented potpourri. Previously, she has won or been a finalist at three annual MOB Business Plan Competitions. Thomas, the owner of Sweet Sensations, sells homemade chocolates, cookies, and sweet-smelling candles, all of which she creates.

Since 1996 MOB has trained and mentored more than 700 students, ages 10 to 14, in starting and running their own businesses. The MOB Advanced Program, created in 2004, is designed for those who need additional training and support to make their businesses sustainable year-round. Currently, there are 15 students enrolled in the 2006 program, which is financed in large part by a grant from the Coleman Foundation of Chicago. The program involves three components: one week of intensive training at Rider, a five-month business coaching program, and the MOB Store.

“A good number of our MOB students are strongly interested in running their businesses year-round,” said Dr. Sigfredo Hernandez, associate professor of marketing, “The most exciting program component for the students is the MOB store which opened last November.”

Williamson has learned that to be successful in business, one has to take risks. “You don’t know if a product is going to be a success or not but you must take chances to learn new things,” said Williamson, an honor roll student whose first business, Straight Street, gave her the opportunity to sell t-shirts and greeting cards. “MOB has been very educational. I look forward to going to new places to find more products.”

“It’s great to have a permanent location where I can sell my products,” said Thomas, an honor roll student, who plans to go to college.

Kevin Wortham maintains that Nikita and Lajirah epitomize the principles of hardwork, dedication and perseverance of students in the program. "They are what MOB is all about,” he said.