Amelia, age 9, opened her first business checking account on Friday, with her profit from the week spent at "MY OWN NEW BIZ" day camp and sales afterward.  She left the camp with 16 dollars and 40 cents profit having donated part of an $11 gift to the Animal Rescue League and she more than doubled that by the day's end.

During the day Friday, campers went to homes and businesses in Windsor Heights and found willing customers to buy their product -- chocolate chip cookies.  They sold so many, that when they got to a local bank in Windsor Heights, their supply of only three remaining packages of cookies couldn't fill the order.  Amelia went home to her kitchen after camp that day, baked a double batch of cookies with her dad, and went back to bring smiles to her new friends -- and customers -- at the local bank.

The beginning balance in her new account was 34 dollars and 88 cents, after expenses.  Two days later, she has earned another 15 dollars from her new business, "One Smart Cookie".

In addition to the financial gains, Amelia has enjoyed making new "friends, baking, learning about money and how to earn, save and share."  Ten percent of the profit earned by the young entrepreneurs is to go to a non-profit of their choice.  Amelia wants to give to the Animal Rescue League because that's where her family's dog, Layla, came from.

When Tanner attended his first My Own New Biz camp, he returned home full of smiles and ideas. Did I mention his pocket was full of money to fund his next venture? He immediately began on a business plan to sell balloon animals to children and families at local events. He set his pricing and his product list, he selected local events to sell at, he recruited his neighbor and brother to assist him and he was ready to sell. Unfortunately, the next local event was rained out.

After hearing about Amelia's great success, as they were fellow campers, Tanner has decided to go back to the drawing board and rethink his product choice. Perhaps he should go back to cookies which don't need a special event for sales. Decisions, decisions!

The great news is that this is a true business experience! Many business owners find themselves thinking through their products to determine which is more marketable and more profitable in the short and long run.

Tanner is also still deciding on the name of his company, but his checking account is open and ready for business!