The Future Is Local: JA Leads in Cultivating Youth Entrepreneurship
The 2025 JA StartUP Cohort
The 2025 JA StartUP Final Showcase on June 7th, presented by Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans with generous support from the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, marked a powerful milestone in our work to uplift young entrepreneurs and build a more inclusive local economy. JA StartUP is a new program launched this year to support young adults ages 18–25 as they pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Designed especially for entrepreneurs of necessity, the program offers mentorship, training, and financial support to help participants take their businesses to the next level.
Held at the Nieux Society—a venue that reflects the cultural energy and creative spirit of New Orleans—the final showcase brought together community members, local leaders, and supporters to celebrate the achievements of the inaugural JA StartUP cohort. A total of $25,000 in seed funding was awarded to the seven entrepreneurs through a combination of judges’ selections and enthusiastic community voting, demonstrating the value and promise these ventures hold for the region.
This year’s top awardees included Ty’reous Day, whose business, New Orleans Instrument Repair, earned $8,050 for its focus on musical instrument maintenance and musician education. Jailah Walker received $4,350 for her growing candle company, Scented Flames by Jai, which blends creativity and self-care. Atiba Fletcher of CGC Productions was awarded $4,050 for his storytelling-driven video production business. Additional participants in the 2025 cohort included Raheim Hubbard of HeimHubb, Guylon Wardlow of Klover Worldwide, Arianna Burke of The Art Shop, and Saqqarah Osin of Innovative Cuisine. Each of these ventures reflects the passion, cultural pride, and entrepreneurial spirit of our region’s young people. All members of the cohort received financial awards to help grow their businesses, as well as the opportunity to work with dedicated mentors—local entrepreneurs who will provide 25 hours of individualized guidance over the next year.
These mentorships, contributed by showcase judges and community leaders, are key to the long-term impact of the program. Leaders like Daryl Womack, Anna deTeige Harris, Tyler Abadie, and Kwamena Aidoo are investing not only in these young entrepreneurs’ ideas, but in their growth as future business and civic leaders. Their generous commitment ensures that the momentum generated at the showcase translates into sustainable progress, and we are incredibly grateful for their investment in young people.
The event also highlighted the power of community. Over 50 guests participated in live “JA Coin” voting, determining how a $5,000 community prize fund was distributed. The room buzzed with excitement as families, mentors, and supporters rallied around these young innovators. The level of engagement reflected New Orleans’ deep belief in its youth and the transformative potential of local entrepreneurship.
As participants shared their gratitude and growth, the impact of JA StartUP came into focus. “Having me in this program has benefited my business and pushed me to want even more for myself and the future of my company,” shared Atiba Fletcher. Jailah Walker echoed that sentiment, thanking JA staff for their unwavering support and mentorship. Their reflections affirm that JA StartUP is more than a business competition—it’s a launchpad for young people to build confidence, economic power, and a sense of possibility.
The success of this first cohort exemplifies how Junior Achievement is reimagining its role in building a “future-ready” ecosystem—one that not only prepares students for the workforce, but equips them to shape it. Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of this vision. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for nearly half of all private sector employment and create two out of every three new jobs. Entrepreneurs also foster economic resilience, civic leadership, and community identity. When young people are empowered to start businesses, they’re not just building futures for themselves—they’re helping to reshape the economic landscape of their neighborhoods and cities.
Junior Achievement is committed to leading that transformation. With continued support from partners like the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, we are creating real opportunities for young people to become the business owners, creators, and changemakers of tomorrow. The 2025 JA StartUP Showcase was just the beginning—and we can’t wait to see how far these young entrepreneurs will go.
