Do you know a high school student who is making a big difference in the community?  They can be nominated (or self-nominate) for the Parade All America High School Service Team. PARADE Magazine and The LEAGUE (a national youth service-learning organization which empowers young people to make a positive difference in their communities) are seeking nominations for a new form of award, The All America High School Service Team, to recognize students who have made exemplary contributions in the service areas of: health, education, environment, economics or community.   These students show service as a solution to solve community problems and the power of stories to inspire others to action. All nominations must be received online by April 14, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. EST.  Nominations will be scored by independent reviewers based on impact of using service to solve community problems.  Final winners will be selected by a blue ribbon panel of leaders from across sectors and will be invited to receive an award and accept the challenge of a task: developing their own ideas as a national group for promoting service and service-learning in schools nationwide.The 15 winning students will be invited to travel to Washington DC with a parent or teacher for a special ceremony on June 9. www.parade.com/service or www.theleague.org

Created by the Renegade CEO’s own Dallas, TX based Marshall Haas, the LimitlessVC BizBreak Contest (@BizBreak on Twitter) has launched and is in full motion. BizBreak is giving 1 remarkable entrepreneur 50% of the BizBreak app profits + $3,000! And what’s different about this VC fund is you DO NOT have to pay the money back. If that alone has motivated you to apply for the contest and you don’t like reading small print and just want to cut to the chase – Enter here: http://bit.ly/bizbreak

Otherwise keep reading and watch Whitney’s video

So why is it a Minimum of $3,000? Well because you determine the jackpot. The amount of money increases in the Limitless VC fund based on each purchase of the controversial (but entertaining) iphone app BizBreak . In the BizBreak app you score points every time you land a punch on your demeaning smart mouth boss…I know, I know…it’s a bit of dark humor.  Ask @marshallhaas (on Twitter) how many times the app was censored and rejected before it finally got approved.

Also, I promised Renegade CEO Whitney Washington, CEO, of Puzzle Piece Promotions, I would post her video that she created for the contest. She is a very talented self-taught videographer based in FL. She is currently enrolled in her first year at Full Sail University (FL) where she is getting formal training in video production, typography etc. Excellent piece Whitney! Great job on your video and good luck with the contest!

Whitney’s famous saying is: Stop trying to find yourself….Create Yourself! See her creative expression below:

The American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign is hosting the I Am Free Enterprise Video Contest and offering $100,000 in cash prizes for the most innovative, creative, and compelling story!

(Separate and independent of this contest, while noseying around on their website I noticed that they have a section called “Share Your Story” or something to that effect. So even if you don’t want to enter the contest, definitely rock some bootleg, cash strapped, guerrilla marketing through their website. It is a project of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce so you will definitely get some great exposure >> deets here http://bit.ly/bXFYzT )

Are you Free Enterprise? Do you know America’s next great inventor? Have you successfully launched a business or created a new product?

If you (or someone you know) has a great free enterprise story to tell or idea to share, we want to hear it!

[Note from your teenbizcoach - remember if your video requires you to share your idea/an idea, share the what and the problem it solves....not the HOW or your 'secret sauce']. If you are unsure of how to do this, send me a shout out and I will support you with this.

okie dokes- NOW

Shoot a 3-minute video explaining what free enterprise means and submit it to the contest.

Entries must be received by April 9, 2010 at 6 pm EDT.

Following is a summary of the contest -

Visit the Free Enterprise Web site to learn more about this exciting opportunity: http://www.freeenterprise.com/take-action/video-contest/

This information comes courtesy of Mara Tyler (thanks so much). Additional information about the program and nomination forms for the competition can be found at www.girlsgoingplaces.com and online at YouTube, MySpace and Facebook (Keyword: GirlsGoingPlaces). Note from Shonika - If you fit the bill and are a teen girl that I have personally had experience with, I will gladly nominate you. I do not have a problem writing the 750 word nomination essay on your behalf but you are going to have to make the personal ASK if you want it. Please read on for more details.

NATIONWIDE COMPETITION TO AWARD $30,000 IN PRIZES FOR TEEN GIRL ENTREPRENEURS

Guardian Announces Final Call for 2010 Nominations for Girls Going Places® Program

NEW YORK, January 12, 2010 – The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) today announced the final call for nominations for the 2010 Girls Going Places® Entrepreneurship Award Program. Under the program Guardian will grant a total of $30,000 to 15 teen business owners who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurship and community service.

“The Girls Going Places program inspires girls to see the potential of their entrepreneurial dreams by providing financial rewards and recognition for their business and community achievements, ” said Kathy Readinger, Guardian’s national manager of the program. “Since this is the tenth anniversary of Girls Going Places, we want to make a special effort to encourage girls across the nation to enter,” she continued. “The Going Places program is one of the many ways Guardian supports and recognizes women-owned businesses.”

Submissions will be accepted through February 26, 2010. Teachers, parents, and community members are encouraged to nominate accomplished young female entrepreneurs between the ages of 12 and 18. Adults can nominate girls by submitting a 750-word essay endorsing accomplished young female entrepreneurs. Nominees must also write a 250-word personal statement on entrepreneurship, leadership, financial independence, or giving back to the community.

The first, second and third place winners receive prizes of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively. The 12 finalists are granted prizes of $1,000 each. Girls can use the award to reinvest in their entrepreneurial projects or to save for college. Additional information about the program and nomination forms for the competition can be found at www.girlsgoingplaces.com and online at YouTube, MySpace and Facebook (Keyword: GirlsGoingPlaces).

With rising college tuition rates across the nation, Guardian is committed to ensuring that young women are aware of the benefits of business ownership. “The recent economic crisis accentuates the importance of business and financial education,” said Readinger. “With more than 10 million firms across the nation that are owned by women, we are committed to helping the current generation of women entrepreneurs and those to come.”

The Girls Going Places® Entrepreneurship Award program anchors Guardian’s Women’s Initiative, which was established to help women and women business owners create, invest, and protect wealth.

About Guardian

A mutual insurer founded nearly 150 years ago, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries are committed to protecting individuals, business owners and their employees with life, long term care insurance, disability income, group medical and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities and other financial products. Guardian operates one of the largest dental networks in the United States, and protects more than six million employees and their families at 120,000 companies. The company has more than 5,400 employees in the United States and a network of over 3,000 financial representatives in more than 80 agencies nationwide.

For more information about Guardian, please visit: www.GuardianLife.com

7 Great Gift Ideas for Teen Entrepreneurs (Under $100) This is the title of my debut post on PBS Nightly Business Report Blog. It is awesome, awesome exposure as their blog is ranked on Alexa #536 in the U.S. and #1550 in the world! Whooop!

Tentatively, I am a guest blogger, but I will be blogging bi-weekly about teens in entrepreneurship so I expect I will get a regular self-branded column….fingers crossed

Excited about what’s in store for 2010 as I have already gotten nearly a dozen entries to partner with the Renegades and someone even gave a donation of 1 year membership to DC’s National Press Club , for one very deserving Renegade CEO, who loves writing, media, journalism, photography, broadcasting….you name it!

And if you happen to live in the DC area, bonus- you will be able to benefit from networking with Who’s Who at the events that are hosted regularly at the Club (A DC landmark for 100+ years and counting)!

Post for Week of Dec. 18, 2009: http://bit.ly/7aFG5h

iPhone Apps Madness continues for the Renegade CEO’s. Marshall Haas, BizBreak iphone app (Jan 2010 release) was just annouced as one of the Finalists in the App Star Awards (look for the ‘orange’ video). The App Star Awards acknowledges ‘Brilliant Upcoming’ iPhone Apps so this is obviously a huge honor to be considered for this award given the app has yet to launch.  The distinguished panel of judges includes technology and social media’s who’s who: Michael Arrington of Tech Crunch , Technical Evangelist Robert Scoble and French Blogger Loic LeMeur (creator of Seesmic.com). To read more about the app and see the list of distinguished judges: http://bit.ly/4tKXYM

This is huge news and comes fresh off the success of Ed Nash’s www.fitorfugly.com , which has reached nearly 10,000 paid downloads after being on the market for just over 2 weeks. It also got mentions in the Huffington Post and the Real Housewives of Orange County.

The Biz Break App allows you to release that bent up frustration that evolves from being constantly degraded by beating up your boss (VIRTUALLY) [only teenagers could think of something like this and actually be able to get away with it- huh?]. Wondering when he is going to partner up with [insert another Teen Renegade CEO] and introduce a version where you can [too good to put in the public domain]…..now that’s an idea!

The App is due to release in January 2010 with some other fun perk$ associated when you download the app but you’ll have to follow his blog to learn what it all goes down: www.bizbreakblog.com

Peep the preview video below for the BizBreak iPhone App. Awesome Job, Marshall! Love the background music

Congratulations to Renegade CEO, Matthew Turcotte, CEO of North Shore Web Development. He was the first place winner at the Jefferson Community College Business Plan Competition. He won $1,000 and further kudos since he is still in high school, WHOOOOP!

Deets on the entrants and the events here.

Apply now for the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation  Young Entrepreneur Awards. They are currently accepting applications for the 2010 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards beginning midnight, October 31 through 11:59 p.m., December 31, 2009, any high school senior graduating in 2010 may apply online for a chance to win a scholarship valued from $1,000-$10,000.

This post comes courtesy of NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation.

Teen Entrepreneur Ben Lang (@entrepreneurpro) on Twitter has recently announced a new contest on his blog. It is quite easy to enter and the prizes are great (several which are sponsored by the Renegade CEO’s).

1. Enter the contest via his blog. This is actually the direct link to the post.

2.  Win Great Prizes! The groovy prizes that can be found in his prize vault are:

• An $18 gift card to Barnes and Noble
• A copy of the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Book ($27/value)
• A copy of Nintendo Brain Puzzles Game (Courtesy of @kidcriticreview)
• A DVD of the YES Movie (Young Entrepreneur Society, 29.95 value)
• A one year subscription to Inc. Magazine ($19.95 value)

There will be one winner for each prize (so that’s 5 chances to win)!!! The drawing will take place this weekend and will be done by the innocent hand of Ben’s little sister

Good luck to all who enter!

@teenbizcoach

@DavidBeKing

Self-Proclaimed Internet Business King, 20 year old David King, @DavidBeKing on Twitter has announced a contest to promote the release of his new traffic building system,  Traffic on Demand, TOD. To promote his new product launch he is giving away 3 copies of the full version of his Traffic on Demand System. To enter the contest you need to answer 2 questions in the comments section of his blog (see the blog post for the questions) and share the contest on your blog, Twitter, Facebook and/or preferred social network. Hence why I am writing this blog post. If I didn’t love this kid and chat with him all the time on Twitter, I would not be going through all these changes  Having worked with him in his teen years (he turned 20 this summer) and knowing all the support and advice he gives to many of the teens in the Renegades network I would certainly support him regardless of whether or not a contest was being offered.

He is looking for any type of promotional support for his program. Bonus points if you create a video in You Tube. I would definitely like to see one or more of my teen Renegade CEO’s win a copy of the Traffic On Demand System. For those interested in the contest you can check out the details on his blog (http://retwt.me/jvqu)

Regardless if you decide to enter the contest, you should definitely connect with him on Twitter @DavidBeKing

Good luck to everyone who participates in the contest. And be sure to let us know if you win so that we can feature you on the Renegades blog, which is now ranked in the Top 300k in the U.S. Whooop! As always, appreciate your continued support.

@teenbizcoach