NextGen CEO

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NextGen CEO, is a six-week digital business education course that teaches kids the basics of starting their own business. The NextGen CEO curriculum is centered around opening up a business selling strawberry-themed desserts. However, we encourage all of our students to be creative, and they are welcome to start any business of their choosing. At the end of the program, NextGen CEO students will get to open their own dessert stands (or another concept that they created) at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall.

The program is produced to communicate at a sixth-grade learning level and covers six main categories:

Business Fundamentals (Forming a business plan, setting up a bank account, etc.)
Cost Models
Food Safety & Food Prep
Marketing & Customer Service
Money Management
Future Planning

Each virtual session includes a local business leader as a guest speaker. Local business experts will also be available during regular "office hours" to answer questions and provide guidance. All virtual sessions and "office hours" will be conducted via Zoom.

Registration for NextGen CEO's Fall 2023 session has closed. Stay tuned - we will begin registration for our special Summer 2024 session in the Spring of 2024.

Questions? Contact Strategic Initiatives Manager Yuliana Nelson at yuliana@santamaria.com.

Program Timeline & Sessions

NextGen CEO will return for a special Summer 2024 session! Stay tuned - the summer program timeline and additional details will be available in April.

NextGen CEO Program Kickoff Event (Sponsored by Toyota of Santa Maria)

Session 1: Fundamentals of Setting Up Your Business (Sponsored by CoastHills Business Development Department)

Session 2: Cost Models (Sponsored by YPP)

Session 3: Safety and Food Prep (Sponsored by Better Produce)

Session 4: Marketing and Customer Service (Sponsored by Dignity Health Marian Regional Medical Cente)

Session 5: Savings and Money Management (Sponsored by CalPortland)

NextGen CEO Business Launch Day! (Sponsored by Santa Maria Town Center)

Session 6: Future Planning & Program Graduation

Program FAQ's

My child is not in the 6th grade, can he/she still participate?

We want your student to participate. Our material is aimed at children in upper elementary grades. You know your student and their capacity. Younger students may need a bit more help from you. Older students will see this as an introduction to concepts they can develop more deeply.

When does NextGen CEO start?

Must students log in on a certain day and time?

This program is set up to complete one course per week, but is designed to allow your student flexibility. Find a time that works best for your student and participate then. The great thing about this program is you can customize it to whatever schedule works for you.

The program does have required weekly zoom sessions to allow students to check in on their progress and get questions answered by local industry experts. Additional information about the zoom sessions and schedule will be discussed at the program kickoff event.

Are there restictions on the type of product sold at the business launch day?

We love entrepreneurs! While the program is designed around selling strawberry-themed products, we do allow students to choose to sell a non-food item, but highly encourage the incorporation of a strawberry component. Utilize the NextGen CEO coursework to start whichever business works best for you!

Please note that selling a food item does have additional requirements, including getting a food handlers permit and prepping your product in a commercial kitchen. All of these details will be covered during the program.

Are there any additional costs?

Will students be graded?

As in business, success is measured very differently. We want this fun experience to be a life lesson on how to start a business, create positive customer experiences, manage and save money, and build a brand. There are no grades, just an opportunity for learning beyond the classroom.

Students who complete all sessions and participate in the business launch day will receive a certificate at the NextGen CEO graduation event. NextGen CEOs who wish to continue their business endeavor after the program will have access to our NextGen CEO Alumni Group to assist with continuing their business.

What materials are required?

NextGen CEO Alumni Network

Are you a NextGen CEO alumni who is continuing your business after the NextGen CEO program? Be sure to join our NextGen CEO Alumni Network! This network provides resources on how to successfully continue your business endeavors after the NextGen CEO program, and local opportunities to sell your product to the public!

To learn more and join our network, contact Yuliana Nelson at yuliana@santamaria.com.

Looking for help with your business and not sure where to start? Visit our page on Doing Business in the Santa Maria Valley for resources or to request additional assistance with your business.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Help build the next generation of local entrepreneurs - invest in the NextGen CEO program! Sponsorship opportunities are detailed below. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Strategic Initiatives Manager Yuliana Nelson at yuliana@santamaria.com.

Session Sponsor (limited number available) : $3,000

As the Session Sponsor for the NextGen CEO Program, you will receive the following benefits and features:

You are the sponsor for one of the six course modules and will receive the following promotion:
Featured in social media and communications associated with your session.
One pre-recorded welcome message to be played as part of one of the six virtual sessions (maximum 30 seconds).
Your company logo will appear on the NextGen CEO website.

Investment Details

Investment Amount: $3000
One year sponsorship, includes both the Fall & Spring NextGen CEO Cohorts

Investor Fund Sponsor: $500 & $1,000 levels available

As a sponsor of the NextGenCEO Investor Fund, you will help our NextGen CEOs successfully launch their business, and support them as they continue their business endeavors! Your investment will help fund:

NextGen CEO Grants: a limited number of grants will be awarded to NextGen CEOs who chose to pitch their business idea to a panel of business experts.
NextGen CEO Alumni Program: this new program will provide NextGen CEO Alumni business coaching services and a peer support group of other NextGen CEO participants who are continuing their business ventures.
1 year complimentary Chamber Membership for all NextGen CEO graduates.

Investment Details: Sponsorship includes the Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 cohorts of NextGen CEO.

$1,000 sponsorship package includes:

Opportunity to be a panelist for the NextGen CEO Business Pitch (to determine grant recipients)
Recognition on Chamber Website
Recognition at NextGen CEO kickoff event, business launch day, and graduation
Invitation to NextGen CEO kickoff event, business launch day, and graduation

$500 sponsorship package includes:

Recognition on Chamber Website
Recognition at NextGen CEO kickoff event, business launch day, and graduation
Invitation to NextGen CEO kickoff event, business launch day, and graduation

NextGen CEO Program Sponsors

NextGen CEO is made possible thanks to the generous support of our Chamber Investor Program, and our NextGen CEO program sponsors, who have provided additional financial support so we can make this program available to our local future business leaders at a reduced cost.