First Western Bank sponsors EPHS student for week-long business camp

Eden Prairie High School student Daniel Jiang participated in a week-long summer business camp, Minnesota Business Venture (MBV), through First Western Bank & Trust sponsorship.

The program is developed and organized by BestPrep, a Minnesota nonprofit dedicated to preparing students with business, career and financial literacy skills through hands-on learning. A total of 360 students from 92 schools attended in person this year and were selected to receive scholarships to participate in one of two MBV sessions hosted at the University of St. Thomas in July.

At MBV, small groups of students called “companies” spent the week developing an imaginary product or service. The students created a business plan and presented it to a panel of professionals, hoping to gain loan approval. While the proposals were theoretical, the ideas presented are meant to be a realistic representation of how companies run their businesses. Students in each company were mentored and guided by professionals from local companies throughout the week.

The students engaged in other activities throughout the week, with projects organized daily in a thematic approach, including Dare to Dream Day, Financial Freedom Day, Career Day, and Empowerment Day. Activities included guest keynote speakers, scavenger hunts, and mock interviews.

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