About 20 students attended on each day of AEDC's two-day Teen Business Fair at the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center in Eureka. There, they learned how to write their business plans, and learned skills to start a business. E-Club Members from HSU worked with the kids one-on-one to build their plans.

Participating students came from schools all over Humboldt County, including Academy of the Redwoods, Arcata High School, Eureka High School, North Coast Prepatory Academy, Six Rivers Charter School, Zane Middle School and Zoe Barnum.

Madeira Seaman talks about her business, Maditude Adjustment.

Students got to hear from Monica Topping, local DJ and business owner, and Madeira Seaman, a fourteen-year old entrepreneur. After hearing stories and brainstorming ideas, the students got to work with their mentors to develop their own plans.

HSU E-Club member, Michael Wheeler, works with a student at the event.

On Friday, students got to learn marketable skills, like ironing, gift wrapping, car washing and pet sitting. Students also got to make an elevator pitch about their business. Those who made a pitch had business cards designed by Economic Fuel, and printed by Scrapper's Edge.

Kelly Miller from McCrea Nissan worked with a group of teens to teach the finer points of car washing.  

Eleven students participated in the Hospitality 101 Customer Service training on the following Saturday. College of the Redwoods presented a full day of "Shining Up Your Skills," and worked on customer service, team building and personality skills, and resume and interview techniques.

With business ideas from jewelry making, to gift wrapping to odd household jobs, several students left the event with direction about creating their own future -- and their own spending money.