Key West The Newspaper

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – Founder and CEO of Jack’s Stands & Marketplaces, Jack Bonneau spoke to students at Horace O’Bryant School, Key Largo School, Plantation Key School, and Sugarloaf School to offer advice and words of encouragement.

The 11-year-old entrepreneur spoke to more than 1,600 students recently to give them advice on how to thrive in the marketplace. He shared lessons he learned from beginning his own lemonade stand and words of encouragement post Irma. The 7th-grader from STEM Lab School in Colorado said MCSD students can achieve anything with a bit of optimism, an inquisitive mind, and something they are passionate about.  “No matter of their challenges, no matter their age that they can do anything they want; they just need to be curious, positive, find something their interested in and go after it.  Reach out to their parents, teachers, trusted adults and if they fail, learn from it and start again!”

Jack shared his story of going from starting his first lemonade stand to sharing ways young entrepreneurs can sell their products and ideas. He also spoke to the students about his experience on the network shows ‘Shark Tank’ and the ‘Today Show’. Jack said his story is important to share with other children, because there are very few that have stepped in to do it. “There’s not many examples of kids doing what I’m doing with both my stands & marketplaces; and there’s no one that I know that shares the stories of other young entrepreneurs to kids to inspire them and let them know that if they and I can do what we’re doing, that they can to.  I also wanted to provide encouraging words resilience and a positive message with all the challenges that they are experiencing due to Hurricane Irma.”

Jack donated $500 to each of the four K-8 schools he visited.  Jack said he was also fortunate to be able to provide matching funds of $500 to each school from mindSpark Learning.

Superintendent Mark Porter said Jack’s donation of his time and resources shows leadership qualities can be present in anyone, no matter their age. “Jack connected to our students in only a way that someone their age can. It is crucial for children to be able to see someone young, like themselves, actively setting goals to pursue their dreams. “

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Jack Bonneau is founder and CEO of Jack’s Stands & Marketplaces (JacksStands.com). He’s eleven years old and a seventh-grader at STEM Lab School in Northglenn, CO. Jack’s mission is to inspire and provide kids the opportunity to operate their own drink stands, sell their own products in real marketplaces; and share his great experiences and lessons he’s learned about entrepreneurship, business, financial literacy, and life skills such as confidence building and being social. Bonneau is member of the National Junior Honor Society, black belt in Wado-Ryu Karate, plays the piano, loves school, math, social studies and programming; and enjoys his family, friends, and his dog Curtsy.

Shark Tank… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7jX9SR0bfw&t

Inc.com http://on.inc.com/2uGfLTo

Ottercares video – http://bit.ly/MyBusinessAndOtterCares

Aspen Ideas Festival… http://bit.ly/AspenIdeas-MyBigIdea