The Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) offered at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted by College of the Canyons, and Valley Industrial Association (VIA) will be hosting an Entrepreneur Academy on Friday, Sept. 27.

The Entrepreneur Academy is a live, interactive event that will immerse aspiring and established entrepreneurs into the world of entrepreneurship and provide hands-on experience with creating, building and optimizing a business.

“The idea is to show young people in the community that they have options when it comes to their careers, they can even start their own business,” said Tora Brown, SBDC advisor. “Students in the Virtual Enterprise program set up a virtual business and learn everything there is about running a company, from picking a CEO, creating a budget and interviewing potential employees. This event will allow these students to participate and compete with business professionals in a trade show environment.”

At the trade show, YEP student entrepreneurs will exhibit their virtual business’ products and services at a booth—alongside the booths of established business owners— and will be judged for booth design, salesmanship, professionalism and customer service.

Mel Abraham, author, strategist and founder of Business Breakthrough Academy, will be the keynote speaker at the event. His presentation “9 Ideals of a Legacy Business and a Legacy Life,” will educate business owners on the importance of creating a legacy for themselves and their company at the same time.

“These kinds of virtual trade shows take place in various parts of the country,” said Steve Tannehill, SBDC director “It is exciting to host this Entrepreneur Academy here in the Santa Clarita Valley for the benefit of our YEP students, Virtual Enterprise students and the local business community.”

The Entrepreneur Academy will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.

The goal of the YEP program is to guide and encourage young people to consider careers in self-employment and small business ownership, along with developing management and problem solving skills that will assist them in any future career path.

The SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons was launched in January 2006. SBDC business advisors assist prospective and existing small business owners start, grow or expand their businesses by providing workshops, one-on-one consulting, trainings and other resources to the business community.

The SBDC’s main offices are located in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus.

SBDC services are also available at 9 satellite locations throughout the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys.

For more information about the Entrepreneur Academy or how to be a sponsor, please contact the SBDC at (661) 362-5900 or sbdc@canyons.edu, or visit www.cocsbdc.org.