‘Inspiring children to become the architects of their futures’ is the mission statement of BizWorld, and Oakland-based organization that offers entrepreneurial programs to elementary and middle school children across the U.S. and in 100 countries around the world. Through teacher-led programs, young students are introduced to the world of entrepreneurship with a goal of awakening their entrepreneurial spirit and nurturing their business ideas into reality.

The original BizWorld program began as a grassroots movement in Silicon Valley in an effort to teach students business skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, leadership, and creativity.

Lucia Patterson, 11, of Oakland was given the People’s Choice Award during BizWorld’s “Girlpreneur” Entrepreneur competition in 2016. In the competition event, Lucia pitched her business idea — a female-run sushi restaurant — to a panel of judges/investors that included Mark Cuban, Tim Draper and Sue Siegel.

“I already had the idea of the sushi business, but BizWorld was really helpful and supportive with additional ideas to polish (refine) it,” says Patterson. “I learned that other people really support my idea and want to make a difference.”

Asked about opportunity in general, Patterson says that, “I believe everyone deserves a chance to do what they love and if they work hard they can achieve that. Anyone can become an entrepreneur if they have an idea, or a problem they want to solve.”

Patterson’s mother, Christina Villareal, was witness to her daughter’s personal growth through the BizWorld program.

“I think the experience gave her a chance to develop a belief in herself to do hard things she’s not done before, or to not feel intimidated by people who have more experience than her. She’s more willing to try new ideas now, and encourages other kids to believe in themselves and to pursue their own personal interests and turn that into a business.”

When asked what other business ideas or passions she has, Patterson said, “I’m trying to brainstorm other ideas. I know I want to be an entrepreneur.”

Ester Hernandez, 14, of Oakland was the Grand Prize Winner at BizWorld’s Girlpreneur Competition last year. Ester presented her business and product, Beadphones, which are headphones with a surrounding cover to prevent the earphones from getting tangled.

Developed as a group project at her school, Beadphones is a very practical, feasible and innovative example of knowing your market and fixing a common problem with a consumer product that has all the market potential for success. It’s a product that Ester still makes and sells today.

“You learn how to be a leader and come up with creative ideas and work together with people,” says Hernandez. “I want the business to grow bigger and I see it as a great opportunity for the future and help me get into college.”

Bianca Lorenz was Hernandez’s seventh grade school teacher last year, which was Lorenz’s second year using the BizWorld program.

“The students generated their own ideas and created their own products - they created what they wanted to,” says Lorenz, who formed the program as a ‘seventh grade Shark Tank’.

She says it was great to see students developing business ideas they’re really passionate about and to see their increased confidence, leadership skills, and collaboration.

“Going forward, I see that they are more confident in themselves and in their ideas and that they know that their thinking is valuable,” adds Lorenz.

“Be creative, because you never know what your ideas can become,” offers Hernandez. “You never know how far you can go with the little ideas you have. It might be something great in the future – you never know.”