Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Burns.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Peter. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. My family moved us to New York on August 8th,1972. I later joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduating from high school. I have a passion for working with our youth in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) and Entrepreneurship.
I have over 30 years of leadership and management experience in the telecom industry and 20 years of service with the United States Army Signal Corps (retired). I currently work for Nokia as a Business Development and Technical Tendering Manager, responsible for network integration and professional services in North America.
I serve in my Church and in my community on several boards that includes board member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Frisco Education Foundation, Frisco Public Art, and Junior Achievement of Dallas. Additionally, I also serve on the Leadership Frisco Advisory Council, and Chairman of Mindbender Academy, a youth STEAM camp and Program Manager of Frisco’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) and youth director at Friendship Baptist Church of The Colony.
I have been blessed to be recognized as the 2019 Frisco Distinguished Veteran, recipient of a Congressional Veteran Commendation, was named 2017 Frisco Style Magazine Person of the Year, 2014 Frisco Chamber Citizen of the Year, received the Badmus Law firm 2013 Immigrant Spirit Award and runner-up for the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award. My wife and I live in Frisco and have three children and three grandchildren.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Our biggest challenges are finding volunteers who would be able to commit to our program. There are over 100 locations delivering the YEA! Program however, we are the only program that is completely running by volunteers.
The biggest challenge for our students were understanding the financials of their company. For them, it is like earning an MBA in a few weeks. It was challenging for them however, we help them through that process with weeks on mentorship.
Frisco Young Entrepreneur Academy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I currently serve as the Program Manager of Frisco’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!). The Frisco YEA! Is the first chapter to form in Texas. It is a challenging program that takes students in ages 11 to 18 through the process of starting and running a real businesses or social movements over the course of a 30-week period. The program guides students through the process and every aspect of starting a business or social movement.
We provide students with mentors from the community that works with each student business and guide them to develop their business plan, pitch their plans to investors, to launching the venture, building a brand identity, e-commerce and web development, and even trade shows, all over the course of a school year. Our program is unlike any other simulation models. Frisco YEA! students leave our program with a fully formed and functioning business they can take into the real world.
We are celebrating our 9th year of success, launching 12 to 15 student-led businesses every year.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I measure success by the positive impact I have on the life of a young person, especially when you see them overcome challenges to accomplish their goals and giving back in their community. They become the leaders in their community and in school. It is a great feeling for me to see the confidence they display as they go about their journey.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6843 Main Street
Frisco, TX 75034 - Website: https://www.friscochamber.com/young-entrepreneurs-academy/
- Phone: (972) 335-9522
- Email: info@friscochamber.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friscotxyeapm1/
- Facebook: YEA! Frisco – Young Entrepreneurs Academy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YEAFrisco
- Other: https://www.peterburnsenterprise.com/
Image Credit:
Peter Burns
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
