By ED SALVAS
Members of the Asbury Park Police Department’s Police Athletic League believe there are some future business men and women hiding in plain sight in the city’s middle school and high school. Their challenge is to find them and help them learn some of the practices that can lead to success in a business of their own.
They have joined up with an organization called Step Up, Smart Up to get the students between 13 and 18 years old to attend a series of after school sessions to learn the basics of running a business. Asbury Park Police Lt. Lorenzo Petway and Officer Alex Mabe are leading the effort and have circulated fliers in the schools looking for potential leaders.
“It has already produced some response” said Mabe, who said the sessions are limited to 10 students who will meet twice a week for five weeks at the Launch Center, 1201 Springwood Ave. in space being provided by Interfaith Neighbors which has partnered with the PAL.
There’s a long list of jobs suited for young entrepreneurs. Among them landscaping, baby sitting, dog walking, auto detailing, pool maintenance, party planning, window washing and the beauty business. In addition, there are jobs that are needed in today’s technology, including E-commerce, social media and website development.
Mabe said that before the city signed on with Step Up, Smart Up, officials visited the city of Mount Vernon, N.Y. in Westchester County to see first hand how the program works. Once the students are signed up, there will be an orientation meeting with parents and after the series, local business owners will be invited to come in and explain the process to become an LLC (Limited Liability Company) and how to obtain a mercantile license to open a business, the minimal upfront costs of going into business
The first five-week session will be held in January and February. A second session is planned for the summer. For Information, call Lt .Lorenzo Petway, at 732-502-5767 or email PAL@AsburyParkPolice.org.
