Registration opens:
October 16th, 2025

Teen Start-Up Academy

Presented in Partnership with Bolingbrook Bank & Trust

Calling all middle schoolers! This series will help prepare you to be the savviest business teen. Complete the first two sessions to participate in our Start-Up Market! (Grades 6–8)

Session One: Money Smarts

Thursday, November 6, 6 p.m.
The Vortex
Join us for an explanation of the Start-Up Academy program. Learn about saving and budgeting, money handling and more. Participate in a mock business where you’ll purchase supplies, create a product and sell to investors. 

Session Two: Marketing Matters

Thursday, November 13, 6 p.m.
Meeting Room C
We’ll show you how to use Canva to create your own promotional materials to market your products.

Get Down to Business!

Thursday, November 20, 4–7 p.m. (Drop in)
Meeting Room A
Time to prep! Print promotional items, ask for advice or drop off items in preparation for the Start-Up Market! Attendance is optional.

Start-Up Market

Saturday, November 22, 1–2:30 p.m.
Meeting Room A
Today is the day! Set up your table and be ready to sell to real library patrons and investors who are coming to shop! Please note, you can set up your table anytime between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Teens need to be at their tables by 12:30 p.m. on Market Day.

Upcoming events