Inspired to Continue Grandfather’s Dream Springfield Student Starts Award Winning Business
Springfield, MA — What started as a hobby has turned into a glimpse of the future for high schooler Jesmary Gonzalez. Through a Junior Achievement of Western MA program, she learned business skills, created a company to sell her baked goods and developed confidence to pursue her dream.
Her business proposal for baked goods company J&E Creations was among the top contenders in the Junior Achievement Enteenpreneur Program, where students come up with an idea for a product or service, determine the target market, calculate financial impact and then pitch the idea to a panel of judges. JA provides the high school students with seed money, business education and materials to present their plan.
Jesmary, a sophomore at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, learned to make baked goods during the pandemic and enjoyed sharing them with family and friends.
“This company program idea let Jesmary take it to the next step,” said Jennifer Connolly, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. “She took what was a hobby that she liked and turned it into a business where she’s making hundreds of dollars.”
All in the Family
Baking may be in Jesmary’s blood, but it took some time for the desire to emerge. Her grandfather opened a bakery briefly before his death, and she has learned some of his recipes through her mother.
“He may not have come from the highest of places, but he always gave to the ones around him and his loved ones,” Jesmary said, inspired to follow in his footsteps. “I want to start his unfinished dream.”
Her initial baking efforts during the pandemic weren’t always successful - even burning some batches - but she persisted and now earns both profit and raves from customers.
The most popular items are cake pops and chocolate-covered strawberries, but she has also made smoothies, tres leches, homemade ice cream, cookies and gourmet cupcakes.
Previously she had no idea what the future might hold, but being part of the JA program inspires her to attend college to learn business and culinary skills so that she can eventually open her own bakery.
“It opened my eyes,” Jesmary said. “It’s helped me realize that this is what I actually want in my future.”
She has learned that starting her own business and being an entrepreneur can be risky but that risks have to be taken. That same perspective is one she hopes other students will embrace.
“Find something you love doing, and don’t be scared to make mistakes because mistakes happen. Just go for it, take the risk and just do it. We only live life once,” she said. “Nothing is impossible, and faith can move mountains.”
Creating Entrepreneurs
Junior Achievement had its beginnings more than a hundred years ago in Springfield. It was founded in 1919 to give students entrepreneurial skills through an after-school program, and has morphed into more than 30 programs for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Programs help students understand financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career exploration, but the Company Program is one that Connolly feels is one of the most valuable.
“This is our foundation,” said Connolly. “I think it’s the most meaningful, most impactful and the most life affirming and changing program we have. It starts future entrepreneurs, it gives them a good feeling of success, and even if they don’t become business people they have developed the entrepreneurial mindset to look at a problem and challenge themselves to find solutions.”
“The competition helped me change my whole mindset.”
A panel of eight judges looked at all aspects of the business plans created by the participants. Jesmary came in third place with the judges but outdid everyone else for sales. One thing they suggested to improve her presentation is confidence, which she feels has increased even since the competition.
A Taste of Confidence
Presenting before the panel was “scary,” according to Jesmary. She was one of the few students presenting on her own instead of part of a team, but fears were calmed by encouragement of family and friends.
That encouragement is evident in her company name. J&E Creations uses the J of her first name and the E of her mother’s name. “Without my mom and the support of family and friends, I wouldn’t have been able to go to that competition,” she said.
Hearing feedback from the panel and encouraging words from those who tried her product empowered her to consider turning the business into a career.
“The competition helped me change my whole mindset. I used to be such a negative person, but now I’m being more positive,” she said. “My confidence level has shot up.”
Connolly agrees that this confidence will give her the edge Jesmary needs in order to be successful in business.
“She’s already shown she has the talent for it,” Connolly said.
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