Verizon is making it possible for many young budding urban entrepreneurs to fulfill their dreams. The company's recent $20,000 contribution to Rider University's Minding Our Business (MOB) program will help train young entrepreneurs in Trenton, Newark and Camden.

MOB students with Dr. Sigfredo Hernandez and Anna Lustenberg of Verizon

The dream has already taken root in Trenton. Since 1996, MOB has trained and mentored more than 800 students, ages 10 to 14, in starting and running their own businesses. Five young people from various Trenton public schools earned top recognition this month for their innovative business plans at Rider's annual summer MOB program, which makes them eligible to participate in the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce (MTAACC) Empowerment Fund Business Plan Competition.

The five were chosen from the 12 best business plans of the entire program. The young people received two weeks of intensive training at Rider learning how to start and run their businesses.

Business ideas varied from homemade jewelry and apparel, to chicken nuggets and snow cone kiosks, to children's toys. The MTAACC Empowerment Fund sponsored the event. Trenton area business owners, managers from local corporations, and MOB board members served as judges. Students in Rider's College of Business Administration acted as mentors/tutors for the budding entrepreneurs.

The results of the competition were:

• $150 was awarded to Trevon Molder, CEO of Ticks' Toys, a 7th grader at P.J. Hill Elementary School for first place;
• $100 to Sydney Bell, CEO of Syd's Jewels, an 8th grader at Hedgepeth-Williams Middle School for second place;
• $50 to Morgan Nelson, CEO of Bling & Other Things, a 6th grader at Kisthardt School for third place
• Ishanae Porter; CEO of Nay Nay's Fashion Boutique, a 7th grader at P.J. Hill Elementary School, won three tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure, placing fourth and
• Imani Fauntleroy, CEO of Iman's Hair with Dazzle, a 6th grader at the Village Charter School, won two tickets to Six Flags, placing fifth.

Due to the generosity of Verizon's support, MOB will be able to double in size in Trenton in 2008.

“I am deeply grateful to Anna Lustenberg, director of external relations at Verizon, who believes in the value of this program to urban youth, and to Verizon for this wonderful gift,” said Dr. Sigfredo Hernandez, associate professor of marketing and founder and director of Rider's MOB. “This gift makes our 2008 program expansion in Trenton and goals in 2009 to expand beyond the Trenton area a reality.”

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