Fifteen middle and high school students graduated June 10 from the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy, completing a nine-month journey to build their own real businesses.

Among them were Xander Smith and Brielle Nye, two standout students whose business ideas were fueled by family legacy, creativity and personal growth.

The graduation ceremony, held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Grand Junction, honored the students’ work with plaque presentations, speeches and encouragement from local business leaders, family members and mentors.

A Spice Blend and a Story

Xander Smith launched Red Brick Seasoning, a unique all-purpose spice mix that began as a recipe created by his father.

“My dad made it when he was in his 30s,” Xander said. “He used it on everything: burgers; brisket; popcorn; vegetables. After he passed away, no one was making it anymore, so I thought, ‘Why not see what I can do with it?’”

Describing the flavor isn’t easy, he said.

“It’s got a sweet and spicy flavor,” Xander said. “There’s brown sugar, cumin, chili powder and other spices mixed in. It’s hard to describe exactly; it really depends on your taste.”

Xander said one of the most valuable lessons he learned was the importance of connecting with people.

“I’ve always been pretty shy,” he said. “But working on this business made me realize I had to step up and talk to people, explain what the seasoning is, how it works, and why they might want it. It definitely helped me open up more.”

He also found value in designing labels, packaging and learning how to brand his product.

“I’ve already started going to local food trucks and smoothie shops to see if they’d want to use it,” he said. “My goal is to build something people can use at home or even in commercial kitchens.”

Sewing Purpose Into Every Stitch

For Brielle Nye, her business Carry It On started with her grandmother’s passion for sewing – and a desire to reduce waste.

“My grandma used to sew Teddy bears and donate them to people in need,” Brielle said. “I wanted to do something like that, give back, but also make something useful and fun.”

Her business takes old or discarded clothes and turns them into one-of-a-kind bags.

“We also donate 10 percent of profits to environmental charities,” she said. “It’s about creating something new out of something that would’ve been thrown away.”

Brielle’s concept didn’t just win her praise locally. She was selected earlier this month to represent Colorado at the National Young Entrepreneurs Association Saunders Scholars Competition, where she showcased her brand on a national stage.

She said the biggest takeaway from the program was learning to believe in herself.

“Starting a business can feel intimidating,” she said. “But if you have confidence in your idea and you stick with it, you can make it work.”

Through the program, Brielle also learned how to write a business plan, consider different parts of running a company and structure things in a way that sets a foundation for success.

“We had a trade show at the mall, and I made a few sales there,” she said. “I’ve also started a social media page to get more exposure.”

A Rare Opportunity

Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a national program that helps students aged 11 to 18 turn their ideas into actual businesses. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the only Young Entrepreneurs Academy program currently active in Colorado. Students spend the school year developing business plans, pitching to investors and launching fully formed ventures.

“This graduation represents more than a program milestone, it reflects the power of young people to create, solve problems and contribute meaningfully to our community’s future economy,” said Candace Carnahan, president and CEO of the Grand Junction Chamber. “These students didn’t just learn business principles, they applied them.”

To learn more about the Young Entrepreneurs Academy or how to support local student-run businesses, visit www.gjchamber.org/yea.