The Scholarships are Sponsored by the Ohio Leadership Council
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Young Entrepreneur Foundation announced that Carter Bzovi and Andrew Benisek are two Ohio high school seniors who are among the 115 scholarship winners of NFIB’s 15th annual Young Entrepreneur Awards. The scholarship program rewards and encourages entrepreneurial talents among high school students who own and operate their own small business.
Thanks to Visa Inc. and other small business supporters, the 110 high school seniors who won a Young Entrepreneur Award received a $2,000 college scholarship. Carter Bzovi of Wauseon and Andrew Benisek of University Heights, Ohio received the Daniel J. Mirto Scholarship, which is funded by Ohio small business owners who are active with NFIB across the state.
“Our members in Ohio truly get behind supporting this program. They view these outstanding students as the next generation of entrepreneurs who will follow in their footsteps. When they get to meet these young business owners, it offers them great hope for the future of America,” said Roger Geiger, NFIB/Ohio Vice President and Executive Director.
Carter’s business is Carter’s Produce and provides fresh produce to local consumers including local restaurants and stores. Working with a mentor who is a veteran of the produce business he has implemented an efficient seed planting, fertilizing, and crop irrigation system to enhance his final product. His passion for agriculture comes from his grandfather who is a farmer. He also currently runs two produce stands.
Andrew’s business is Ohio Valley Beverage was through the Saint Ignatius Entrepreneur Academy Shark Tank. Ohio Valley Beverage creates customized glass bottled soda and water for businesses, weddings, events, and fundraisers, specializing in small orders and 100% customization.
Five additional students were named finalists for NFIB’s top two scholarships: the 2017 NFIB Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the 2017 NFIB Dan Danner Leadership Award and will be honored at an event in Washington, D.C. on July 27. The top two winners will receive a $15,000 scholarship, and the remaining three finalists will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
To qualify for an NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award, students must be seniors in high school who own and operate their own small business. They are required to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors and future goals. NFIB members around the country interview the applicants for the Young Entrepreneur Awards.
For more information and a full list of this year’s winners, please visit www.nfib.com/2017yea/
