Denise Maple, founder of VaVaVroom LLC, received a Future Founders Champion of the Year Award to recognize her contributions to the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's Future Founders Program. The Future Founders program was created in 2005 to expose students to careers in entrepreneurship and to foster skills such as public speaking, presentation, technology, and financial literacy skills by giving them the opportunity to work with successful local entrepreneurs.
Maple was presented this honor at a ceremony located at the Hard Rock Cafe, on May 4, 2011. Notes Maple on her award, “I really enjoyed working with the students on their business plans. I was the one mentoring them, however I still learned a great deal from them about the importance of creativity. I get as much out of it as I give. Seeing these kids learn and gain confidence throughout the year is very rewarding for me.”
The Future Founders Champion Award is awarded to volunteers who have made a significant impact on the lives of our young entrepreneurs. These volunteers have been committed to Future Founders for multiple years and are champions of the effort to expose students to careers in entrepreneurship.
This year’s Future Founder's contest included steeper competition; participants grew from 160 students in 2010 to 200 students in 2011. Students at five south side Chicago public high schools were provided the opportunity to become young entrepreneurs. The competition required students to develop and showcase a business plan for a new products or service they created independently. The students were recognized for their businesses by a panel of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. A total of $25,000 in prizes were awarded to various participants. The champion award and 1st place in the technology category was awarded to Anthony Driver from the Chicago International Charters School's Ralph Ellison campus for his unique Charge 'N' Go device. Driver's device charges consumer electronics. Karalyn Kelly, a junior at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, won the product category with “Food Girl”, a business that makes and delivers lunches for high school students and faculty. For more information about the Future Founders program, visit www.chicagolandec.org/futurefounders.
Maple is no stranger to mentoring since she has held various leadership roles at LaSalle Bank, including a Senior Vice President position. Maple also understands what it takes to create a successful new business, as the founder of the increasingly popular female motorcycle apparel company, VaVaVroom LLC. She created VaVaVroom in 2007 to counter a lack of femininity and style in an ever-increasing market of women motorcycle enthusiasts. The apparel company delivers a passion for design, fit, and practicality to the industry.
Denise Maple, recipient of Future Founder's Award
Teacher Scott Steward ofGwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy was honored for his contributions to the Future Founders program.