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Health & Fitness

Ernst & Young, Dept. of Public Instruction, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin: Carter Drake selected as Wisconsin's "2014 Young Entrepreneur of the Year"

Wisconsin’s exemplary student business-owner will be recognized at the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame on April 10th at The Pfister Hotel

MILWAUKEE, WI – A dream to start his own business, and inspiration from working in the yard with his father led Carter Drake to launch Dreamscape Landscaping. At the age of 15, Carter got the opportunity to provide his first business quote to a local woman that needed lawn care services. Word got out that he was providing excellent service and he started receiving numerous calls from all over town and soon, that one client allowed Carter to become a young entrepreneur.

The 2014 Young Entrepreneur award, presented by Ernst & Young (EY), is a partnership between Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Carter invested in his company by purchasing new lawn equipment and began marketing his company through the launch of a website, social media channels, vehicle decals, advertisements in the yellow pages, posted flyers and official business cards.

The initial efforts in launching his business quickly grew his company from two (2) clients to over seven (7). Service offerings ranged from pulling weeds, to mowing, to building retaining walls and fire pits. As his skills and business expanded, he has been able to invest in new equipment and offer new services to his clients.

“The best part about owning my own business is that I’m learning valuable life skills that give me an upper hand in future job opportunities or future career areas,” Drake said.

"Along with Ernst & Young and DPI, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin is thrilled to honor Carter Drake as this year's Young Entrepreneur of the Year", said Tim Greinert, President, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. "Carter not only represents excellence in entrepreneurship, but he is a role model to all young people looking to start their own business."

Junior Achievement is dedicated to helping today’s students learn from and be inspired by business people and entrepreneurs. In thousands of classrooms throughout Wisconsin, students are being given life lessons by volunteers that have built and operated successful businesses Through JA programs like JA Be Entrepreneurial, students are introduced to the essential components of a practical business plan, and challenged to start an entrepreneurial venture while still in high school. They evaluate an entrepreneurial idea based on product, customer, and competitive advantage criteria and demonstrate business-planning skills for venture start-up, marketing, financing, management, and ethical decision-making.

Carter has also taken classes in plant science, landscaping and horticulture. In addition, he has learned how to fix small engines which has allowed him to do his own repairs, saving him time and money.

Carter envisions Dreamscape Landscaping gaining more clients in the coming year as he plans to expand his service offerings and will implement a new advertising strategy this spring. To see Drake’s Young Entrepreneur video application, as well as those of the other 2014 finalists, click here.

About The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program
The Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 140 cities and 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential. For more information, please visit www.ey.com.

About the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
The Department of Public Instruction is the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is advancing education reforms to ensure every child graduates ready for further education and the workplace. http://dpi.wi.gov

About Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Inc. is dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. The organization prepares young people for the real world, showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, create jobs which make their communities more robust, and apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Over 168,000 students in the state of Wisconsin put these lessons into action every year and learn the value of contributing to their communities. For more information, please visit http://Wisconsin.ja.orgto the Wisconsin JA Business Challenge on May 1, 2014, hosted and sponsored by ACUITY, Sheboygan.



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