When assessing the current landscape of entrepreneurship in the United States, one thing is certain, now more than ever: you’re never too old, or too young, to start your own business.
When it comes to the latter end of that point, the administrators of Pittsburgh-based Propel Schools are keenly aware of this. And while Propel has a well-earned reputation for changing the way that the academic experience is presented to students in the Pittsburgh area, for the past few years, Propel has gone above and beyond when it comes to supporting the growth and development of the entrepreneurial spirit in these students as well.
Since 2013, Propel has proudly presented its Student Business Plan Competition, in which middle and high school students from Propel’s 10 Pittsburgh-area schools work with area entrepreneurs and business leaders to develop business plans, researching and learning every facet of what it takes to start and run a business venture.
Recently, Propel concluded its third annual Student Business Plan Competition,which saw nine student-run businesses compete for a $1,000 prize, money earmarked for laying the groundwork for turning the students’ winning idea into a reality.
On today’s edition of The Raja Show, we welcome the winning team, Propel Homestead Innovators, comprised of Propel Homestead seventh-grade students Nekiya Washington-Butler and Velton Kenney, onto the show to discuss their winning business idea, as well as the research and work that they put into developing the winning plan. Plus, we welcome their Project Coordinator, Shaunika Robinson, as well as Pittsburgh entrepreneur Josh Cotherman, Founder of The Cotherman Group, and Propel Board Member who developed the idea of the Student Business Plan Competition.
You won’t want to miss what our students, as well as their mentors, have to say about what it takes to craft a winning plan, and the work they’ll need to do to make that plan a successful reality!
-Also, for the majority of U.S. taxpayers, be they individual or businesses, Tax Day, April 15, has come and gone. While this day has spawned many a headache (or, if you’re receiving a refund, a sigh of relief), there’s one question you should be asking yourself right now….
What do I do now to get ready for next year?
According to accountant Dave Wilke of Wilke and Associates CPA, it’s a question that not enough people ask. But proper planning NOW will make things a LOT easier come next year’s tax time.
On today’s episode, Dave takes a break from catching his breath after the tax season rush to check in with The Raja Show to discuss the things that business owners and individuals should be doing right now to ensure things will go smoothly for them (….and for accountants like Dave and his staff) when April 15, 2016 rolls around. From effective record keeping strategies to a look at what new Federal and State tax laws may be coming down the road, there is no doubt that one of the best accountants in the business will have you covered.
