Youth Venture

I am motivated individual with persistence, open mind, and aspirations to achieve my goals of becoming a successful entrepreneur and leader in business and the world. I was born in Praia, Cape Verde and came to the U.S. at the age of eight. While in Cape Verde living with my mother, a single parent, my older brother and I started a business venture renting our bicycles, lasting three months. In the process, we learned to budget for expenses like fixing flat tires, and reinvest profits back into our business. After coming to the U.S., I adapted to the culture fast. While at Fenway High School I participated in various after school programs, played basketball, football, and baseball—all for a short period of time each. I also participated in Junior Achievement Academy, where myself and thirteen other high school students launched a temporary business, titled Basket Fantasies. Again, a short term project, but learned plenty throughout the process and began to think about entrepreneurship as a career.

After graduating high school, I attended Quincy College, a two year college in Quincy MA. During my first year I worked two jobs and eventually ended up working one to focus more on academic. At Quincy I was very active in student organizations. I led and participated in four clubs, including Society of Entrepreneurs, which I founded with the help of seven other motivated individuals. Within two months we brainstormed and selected projects to plan and execute, put together the first student-planned conference at Quincy. In attendance were business executives from the area, students from various colleges, entrepreneurs, and the former Mayor of Quincy. I also led the Quincy College Newspaper, and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. In May of 2008 I graduated with an Associate Degree in Business Administration and transferred to Bentley College, now known as Bentley University in fall of 2008.

At Bentley I am a Residential Assistant and a Director of Bentley Entrepreneurs Society. I am well focused on my academic and professional goals. As far as employment I have had over five years of experience working and interning in the non-profit sector. My experience includes my first employment with Boston Teen Challenge Fund Coalition, sponsored and supported by the Home for Little Wanders. I volunteered at the Museum of Science for two years. I interned and worked at Citizen Schools for 29 months. I worked at the Greater Boston Food Bank as the Accounts Receivables during summer of 2008.

Throughout my experience I have learned to value constructive feedback, persistence, and patience. I am not afraid of failure but will work as hard as possible to not fail or not achieve a goal.

• I want to start a venture but don’t know which problem in my community to solve
• I have an idea for a venture but no team
• I need help completing Youth Venture’s action plan

Business, Civic Engagement and Voting, Community Organizing, Discrimination, Employment, Environment, Higher Education, Technology, Youth Empowerment