For the second year, the Manteno Chamber of Commerce welcomes two young entrepreneur companies to their Jr. Chamber of Commerce. The program is an additional membership opportunity open to students that currently have a business or those who are participants in the Junior Achievement program at Manteno High School.
The Chamber offers this program as a way to introduce students to the Chamber of Commerce and to educate them on the importance of involvement in the Chamber as a business owner.
Two Manteno High School business classes that are operating their own respective businesses within the Junior Achievement (JA) program have both joined the Manteno Chamber of Commerce through their newly formed “Junior Member” program.
The two businesses, Cozy Keepsakes and Upcycled Decor, operate out of Mrs. Kelly Short’s business class at Manteno High School.
Cozy Keepsakes’ mission is to create keepsakes that bring comfort to people through a quality product that connects them to their memories and tells their stories. The pillows are made with the customer’s shirt of choice. All of the cutting, pinning, and sewing are down in house by students in the supply chain department. Their sales goal is 195 pillows and have already sold 151 pillows. They are planning to take 10% of profits to make pillows (projected to be around 50) to donate to children’s hospitals at the conclusion of the company in April.
Upcycled Décor’s mission is to reuse, repurpose, and reimagine ordinary items into extraordinary products. The items available are succulent plants in upcycled tin cans. Great for a gift or home décor. Prices are 1 for $10 or 3 for $25. Our vision for this company is to be good stewards of our environment and encourage others to reuse, repurpose, and reimagine. Our sales goal for the year is $5400 total or $300 per student in the class.
