This Saturday, May 3rd, Brielle Nye, founder of Carry It On, will represent not just the Grand Valley, but the entire state of Colorado in the 2025 Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) National Competition—a prestigious event that brings together the top student-run businesses from across the country.
Brielle earned this honor after being selected as the Saunders Scholar Award winner at the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce’s YEA! Investor Panel last month. Her business, Carry It On, transforms thrifted clothing into sustainable, one-of-a-kind tote bags—and donates a portion of profits to charitable causes.
You can cheer her on and watch the competition live HERE.
on Saturday, May 3rd. The livestream begins at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time (12:30 p.m. Eastern)
As the only YEA! program in Colorado, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has proudly offered this intensive, real-world entrepreneurship program for over a decade. Students in grades 6–12 spend the academic year developing and launching their own businesses—from product development and financial forecasting to branding, marketing, and pitching.
The national competition will include three semifinal rounds, followed by a final round featuring the top six businesses. Students will pitch their businesses live to a panel of judges and compete for college scholarships, national recognition, and up to $5,000 in cash awards.
Awards include:
- First Place: $5,000 plus a $30,000 scholarship to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and a full tuition scholarship to the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship
- Second Place: $1,500 plus a $24,000 scholarship to RIT and a full tuition scholarship to Golisano
- Third Place: $1,000 plus a $20,000 scholarship to RIT and a full tuition scholarship to Golisano
- People’s Choice Award: $500 cash prize, voted on by the public
If Brielle advances to the finals, our community will have the opportunity to vote and help her win the People’s Choice Award. Tune in, show your support, and help elevate this young Western Colorado entrepreneur on a national stage.
For more information on the Grand Junction YEA! program, visit www.gjchamber.org/yea.
