VSEDC

🚀✨ Calling all teen innovators! ✨🚀

Join the Young Innovators Accelerator Fall Bootcamp, running from 9/23 to 12/6, every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 pm-6 pm. This dynamic program brings together 50 high school students from three Best Buy Teen Tech Centers across Los Angeles—including the South LA Teen Tech Center—for an exciting tech innovation challenge! 💡💻

Get ready to unlock your creativity, build new skills, and tackle real-world problems through cutting-edge technology. Who’s ready to innovate?

Reach out to for more information and register at the link in bio!

💥 “Every small effort moves you closer to your goals. Keep going.” Progress doesn’t always come in big leaps – it’s the consistent, everyday actions that build momentum. As a small business owner, each step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to your vision. Stay focused, stay determined, and trust that your hard work is leading you to success. 🌱🚀

Comment down below one small thing you're doing today to reach your goals!

👗✨ Teen Tech Thursdays: Fashion Design Fall Bootcamp is here! 🎉 Join us every Wednesday from 4pm-6pm, starting October 2nd - November 6th, to learn the art of fashion design. From sketching outlines to sewing your own creations, this bootcamp has everything you need to bring your fashion ideas to life! 🧵✂️

🔗 Sign up at the link in bio to learn more!

Give your teen the opportunity to shine – register today and watch their fashion dreams take off! 🚀

🌟 Grant Opportunity Alert! 🌟

The Changemaker Impact Fund is offering up to $1 million in grants to community-based 501(c)(3) organizations in 12 Changemakers focus cities:
Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC.

Preference will be given to those led by diverse leaders and addressing key areas like social justice, arts and culture, health equity, and education. Organizations working on reducing gun violence, increasing voting access, and supporting individuals with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply! 💡 Grants are up to $25,000 for a one-year cycle starting summer 2024.

📝 Learn more & apply now: https://bit.ly/3XDACTI

💬 Tag below a non-profit that fits the bill down below!

📅 Save the Date: October 4th!

We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, and everyone’s invited! 🎉 Join us from 4pm-6pm for an afternoon of fun and culture.

📍6109 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90047

Make sure to RSVP at the link in bio!

Don’t miss out! 🎨✨

👑✨ “Empowered women empower women.” In the world of business, lifting each other up is how we all rise. When women support and share their knowledge, ideas, and experiences, we create a powerful community that thrives together. Let’s continue to inspire, encourage, and celebrate each other’s successes – because when one woman wins, we all win! 💪💖

Tag your favorite women-owned business below!

🚀 Calling all young innovators! The Best Buy Teen Tech Center’s Fall Bootcamp is back, and this time, it’s all about Robotics! 🤖 Join SoLA Robotics on Fridays, September 13 - October 18, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm for an exciting hands-on experience where teens will learn to build, program, and bring robots to life.

Got a future engineer at home? 🛠️ Click the link in our bio to sign them up and let their creativity soar!

🚀 Introducing the $100,000 Imagination Fund! 🌟

Calling all designers, artists, photographers, and creatives—this is the opportunity to bring your vision to life without financial constraints. The Imagination Fund is offering $100K in grants to help creatives like you launch innovative digital projects in just 30 days.

The top 50 projects will receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 USD, based on need and potential community impact. Whether you're working on digital zines, motion graphics, films, or other online formats, if it’s original, impactful, and growth-inspired, it’s fair game!

📅 Applications will be reviewed by community voting and a judge panel.
🗓️ Selected artists will create asynchronously over a 30-day period, sharing weekly progress updates.

🌍 Open to creatives everywhere. Ready to turn your ideas into reality? Apply now and let your imagination run wild! 💥

Apply now: https://bit.ly/3zAF4KG

🎙️ Is your kid ready to dive into the world of podcasting? Sign them up for our Podcast Bootcamp Fridays! From October 4 to November 1, they’ll learn everything from crafting ideas to recording and producing their own show. Perfect for beginners or those looking to sharpen their skills!

🗓️ Fridays | Oct 4 - Nov 1
⏰ 3PM - 5PM
📍 Best Buy Teen Tech Center

✨ Parents, register your aspiring podcasters at the link in our bio!

Ready to take your business to the next level? 🚀 Join our upcoming FREE workshops designed to strengthen your knowledge on business basics! From our Permit Lab to Accounting 101 and building strong Business Credit, we’ve got you covered with essential tools for success. 💼✨

🔗 Don't wait—register today and secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3zylZJ0

🌟 “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” As a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to make everything flawless. But remember, excellence comes from aiming high, learning from setbacks, and continually improving. Focus on progress over perfection, and let your pursuit of greatness push your business to new heights! 💼✨

Tag a small business owner you love below!

🌿✨ We’re thrilled to have kicked off Latinx Heritage Month with our first heritage month community partnership with !🪴

Through our Pot Painting & Repotting Workshop, we connected with each other through our shared love and appreciation for plants. It was a beautiful way to celebrate culture, creativity, and community. A huge thank you to Latinx with Plants for helping us make this event so meaningful! 💚

Got any questions about plant care or plant-parent life? Drop them in the comments below, and Latinx with Plants may cover them in future workshops! 🌱

🌿 Giveaway Opportunity 🌿

VSEDC is kicking off Latinx Heritage Month by partnering with for a hands-on Pot Painting & Repotting Workshop—and we’re giving 3 community members a chance to join us for free!

Here’s your chance to:

🪴 Get creative with pot painting
🪴 Learn essential plant care and repotting tips
🪴 Network with our very own VSEDC staff & fellow community members

We’ll be choosing 3 winners from the comments and reach out via DM the end of today, so don’t miss out on this fun and informative workshop.

📆 Date: TOMORROW - September 13, 2024
📍 Location: Latinx with Plants

Comment below to enter and celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with us!

Want to enter?
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Save this post
3️⃣ Comment your favorite plant emoji and tell us why you’d like to attend!

🚀 Unleash your creativity at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center’s 3D Printing Bootcamp!

🖨️ Join us every Wednesday from 4 PM to 6 PM, September 11 to October 16, as the experts from SoLA Robotics guide you through the world of 3D printing. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a future engineer, this hands-on bootcamp will help you turn your ideas into reality!

👉 Don’t miss out on this chance to innovate, create, and explore new tech skills!

🔗 Sign up now at the link in bio and take your creativity to the next dimension.

🚨 Calling all bars and restaurants! 🚨

The SkyTab Rescue Mission is back, and they’re ready to help FIVE deserving businesses reach new heights! Whether you’re navigating tough times or looking to achieve your restaurant dreams, they’ve got your back.

Each winner will receive:
⭐ A complete SkyTab POS system
⭐ A $20,000 business grant
⭐ A consulting session with Jon Taffer of *Bar Rescue*

That’s a total of $100,000 in prize money to help transform the future of five businesses! Ready to be rescued?

Applying is simple! If you’re a current bar or restaurant owner or manager, you’re eligible — no need to be a Shift4 or SkyTab customer. The contest is open from September 3, 2024, until October 14, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.

To apply, just fill out the application with your contact details, info about your restaurant, a short video submission (2 minutes or less), and a media release form.

Apply now for your chance to win! 💸

Tag a restaurant owner you know below! 🥣

Thai Buckman, Director, Technology & Innovation at our South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center, captured it best: “It’s a launchpad for young minds to bring their ideas to life.”

This fall, we’re thrilled to continue this spirit of innovation with our Fall Bootcamp and Youth Innovators Accelorator, running from September 11 to October 16, Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Join us as we build on the energy of our Youth Innovators Accelerator, empowering the next generation of future innovators!

Learn more at the link in our bio or head over to for more info! 📰

Tag below a parent who has a teen that would benefit from our very own Youth Innovators Accelerators program! 💻

🚀 Ready to turn your business dreams into reality? Join us next week for FREE workshops on Entrepreneurship 101, Business Taxes, and our Permit Lab! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, we've got the tools and insights you need to succeed. 💼💡

Don't miss this chance to learn from the pros and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs! ✨

🔗 Sign up now: https://vsedc.org/events/

💪✨ “Do your best!” – It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up every day with determination and giving it your all. As a small business owner, your best effort today is the foundation for tomorrow’s success. Even on tough days, your consistency, dedication, and hard work will push your business forward. Trust the process and keep bringing your best to the table – it all adds up! 🚀

Share this with someone who needs to hear this!

Level up your business skills this September with our free workshops! 📈💼 Learn everything from securing a VSEDC loan and mastering business taxes to building solid business credit and more. Join us for the knowledge and resources you need to grow and thrive. 💪🏽

Don’t miss out — register now! Sign up: https://bit.ly/3zylZJ0

🚀 Ready to bring your ideas to life? Join us for our Fall 3D Printing Bootcamp at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center! 🎨🖨️

Happening every Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, September 11 - October 16, this hands-on program is your chance to boost your creativity and explore a technical skill that’s shaping the future. Who knows? This could be the start of your next big invention! 🌟👩‍🔧👨‍🔧

Sign up today and start printing your dreams! Head over to for more information on how to join.

Tag below a parent you know who’s kid would love to learn more about 3D printing 🌟

🌱✨ Success isn’t about the destination; it’s about the journey of growth, persistence, and learning along the way. For small business owners, every step – the highs, the lows, the lessons learned – shapes your path to success. Embrace the process, keep refining your craft, and trust that each challenge is helping you grow stronger and wiser. The journey is where the real magic happens! 🌟

Share this with a business owner that needs to hear this!

🎉 August is Black Business Month! 🎉

In partnership with & , our Black Business Month Mixer brought together visionary entrepreneurs and trailblazers shaping the future! ✨ We honored Black entrepreneurs with the Business Excellence Award for their incredible contributions to the business community. 🏆

Moderated by Rocsii Wooley, the event featured an expert panel from the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC). Panelists Libby Williams (COO), Thai Buckman (Director of Technology & Innovation), Jessica Aquino (BusinessSource Center Program Manager), and Jazz Keyes (LA County EMI Leader) shared invaluable resources and opportunities for Black business owners.

Missed out? Comment below if you’d like to be invited to future community events like this! 👇🏾

🍂 Get Ready for Fall Bootcamps! 🍂

This is the perfect place for teens to dive in, get involved, and explore their passions. Whether you're dreaming big, eager to learn, or ready to create, our bootcamps offer a chance to make it happen!

Create & Innovate: Design unique 3D printed items or learn to build and program a robot.

Find Your Voice: Start your own podcast and share your unique perspective with the world.

Design Your Future: Expand your creativity with cutting-edge fashion design workshops.

Explore Your Musical Side: Dive into activities that spark your music-making journey.

Level Up Your Leadership: Build essential leadership skills alongside a VP.

Turn Ideas Into Action: Learn how to take your business ideas from concept to reality.

From budding entrepreneurs to future tech innovators, there's something for everyone! Don’t miss out on this chance to learn, grow, and make new friends along the way.

🔗 Spots are filling up fast — sign up now: https://bit.ly/3z45NLN

The from The Mama Ladder is dedicated to helping ambitious mom entrepreneurs grow their businesses, here’s how you can qualify:

You’re a mom—whether you're a new mom, stepmom, foster mom, or have adult children.

You own at least 50% of a for-profit product or service-based business and are committed to growth.

Your business earned at least $10,000 but no more than $500,000 in the past 12 months.

You’re based in the U.S. or Canada.

Apply now and get the support you need to scale your business: https://bit.ly/474ISQQ

Tag a hardworking mom-preneur you know in the comments down below!

💪✨ Keep going, keep striving, and always remember that the greatest achievements often come after the greatest challenges. As a small business owner, every hurdle you face is an opportunity to grow, learn, and get one step closer to your goals. Whether it's overcoming setbacks, pushing through tough days, or celebrating small wins, your resilience is what sets you apart. Keep believing in your vision – the journey is just as important as the destination! 🚀

Tag your favorite small business owner below to send them some words of encouragement! 🌟