What is YEA Northshore?

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a year-long program designed to transform 7th-12th grade students into confident, knowledgeable entrepreneurs. The program guides students through generating business ideas, conducting market research, writing business plans, pitching to a panel of real investors, and launching their own company.

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This innovative, nationally successful curriculum connects students with their very own business mentor, provides exciting in and out-of-classroom experiences, and helps enact meaningful personal transformation in their lives.

YEA Northshore was founded in 2015 by local business leader, Mr. Shelby LaSalle. is one of over 150 national chapters partnership with YEA National. The Young Entrepreneur’s Academy was launched in 2004 in partnership with the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. Today, the YEA! has partnerships with several large, significant organizations in the United States, including Southwest Airlines, The Kauffman Foundation, The Saunders Foundation, Sam’s Club, The United States Chamber of Commerce, and many more. To date, more than 7,700 students have launched more than 5,100 real businesses and non-profits.

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“Passion, creativity, and resilience are the most crucial skills in business. If you’ve got those, you’re ready to embark on the journey.””
— Jo Malone, Founder of Jo Malone

Our Mission

YEA Northshore exists to create a positive, lasting impact for students and our local community. Our program provides a unique, immersive experience to help transform the way students think about their future.

We believe that our program provides:

  • A innovative, real-world-ready environment for students to enact positive economic, social, and personal change.

  • A powerful entrepreneurial and innovation push for our local business community— now and in the future.

  • A way for local business leaders to volunteer and create a tangible force for good for our community’s youth.

Is YEA for you?

Do you...

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  • Ever dream about starting your own business now or in the future?

  • Have a great idea for a business?

  • Want to learn valuable skills and build confidence that will help you be successful for life?

  • Want to connect with other students and business leaders who share your passion?

  • Dream about making the world a better place?

If you answered YEA! to any of the above, Young Entrepreneurs Academy is the place for you! You don’t need any prior business experience or even an existing idea to get started. Just bring your passion and drive and we’ll help you with the rest! 

YEA Northshore is for students in public, private, and home schools in grades 8th-12th in Tangipahoa and St. Tammany Parishes. Ready to take the plunge? Apply Now.

The Program

Here's a little more about our program:

  • YEA Northshore is located at the Small Business Development Center, near our partner institution, Southeastern Louisiana University.

  • Our classes take place in a real business classroom with state-of-the-art technology.

  • The program includes interesting projects and inspiring lectures.

  • Our instructors and mentors are business experts with a passion for building the next generation of business leaders.

  • Classes meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM (except for school holiday breaks)

  • Tuition for the year is $250 and covers all refreshments and expenses during classes. Payment plans are available. Many additional scholarships are available based on need for up to 100% tuition coverage.

  • Children of Southeastern Louisiana University faculty and staff receive a $100 tuition reduction.

  • Classes are limited to 25 students.

Our comprehensive, year-long program takes students through every step of dreaming up and launching a business:

  • Turn Your Passions and Talents Into a Real Business

    Learn from Legendary Entrepreneurs

  • Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

  • Develop Your Brand by Creating a Company Logo and Website

  • Meet & Greet with Members of the Media (maybe even get on TV!)

  • Learn To Manage Business Expenses and Income

  • Learn About Different Types of Business Structures

  • Get the Real Deal on Taxes

  • Meet a Social Entrepreneur

  • Write a Real Business Plan

  • Get a Business Bank Account

  • Learn About Government Resources

  • Get a Professional Style Makeover

  • Learn About Franchises

  • Learn About the Business of Sports

  • Learn How to Register Your Business at the Parish Clerk’s Office

  • Compete for Scholarships and Prizes at the Saunders Scholars Competition

  • Meet Other Awesome Entrepreneurs and Network, Network, Network

  • Make A Profit!

Important Dates:

  • September 7, 2023: Application Deadline

  • September 19, 2023: Orientation and Classes Begin

  • March 26, 2023: Investor Panel