FARMINGTON – The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies storefront officially opened at 156 Main Street this morning; the cooperative store will focus on selling gift items, as well as student-made items.
CES was founded by Bonita Lehigh, who formerly taught business classes at Foster Center and Technical Education Center in Regional School Unit 9. The non-profit aims to support young entrepreneurs in their business goals through mentoring and hands on experience. The storefront will give students and recent graduates an opportunity to earn money, by working in the store, selling their products, or pretty much any other avenue they can think of. The goal of CES is to be open-ended for students who are unsure of what they want to do.
“I had never really thought about being an entrepreneur. I’m so young it didn’t seem like a possibility, but I guess it is,” Mt. Blue High School senior Shaila Mondor said.
Mondor started sitting in on Lehigh’s classes when her sister was enrolled in the course.
“I grew really attached to Lehigh. After she left Mt. Blue we stayed connected,” Mondor said.
Mt. Abram sophomore Maddy Contreras will be one of the students showcasing her work in the shop. Contreras makes t-shirts, using her own designs as well as those requested by customers. She’s been doing it since she was a kid, she said, bit had never thought about selling them until she met Lehigh.
“It could be a future career for me. It’s been a great learning experience that I wouldn’t get in school,” Contreras said.
To learn more about The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies click here.
Fabulous!What other merchandise do they sell?
Best to everyone participating. Such a wonderful opportunity
What a great program! And an investment of an amazing amount of energy, visioning and work behind the scenes. Well done, and best of luck!
Will you ship products?
I Would love a townie t-shirt to celebrate the 30 plus years the Shumways called Farmington home!
Congratulations to you all !
What a great idea! And I love the “Townie” sweatshirts.
Thank you for your well wishes! We sell candles, chocolates, gorgeous purses made from military canvas, cards, children’s workbooks, jewelry, womens blouses, fine soaps, spirit balls from Kitras Art Glass, gifts, and more! We are learning the importance of inventory, greeting customers, being personable and professional, bot to mention counting back change. We hope you come by and see us soon! If you are interested in mentoring or working us, please give our store a call at 207-779-1779.
Carol, we will happily mail products! Thank you!. Please call us between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and one of our amazing youth volunteers will help and follow through.
Thank you! Bonita Lehigh
Sorry for the typo! B is close to N on my phone keyboard. Haha!
What a great way to build respect for the many men and women in our country who have the courage to wear the many hats needed to run a small business.
Fantastic idea!
Bonita what are the chances younger students can apply to have their items for sale? Is there an age limit? Do you have any information I could pass along to my students?
Thank you