The Big Idea SCV

HOLLY SCHROEDER President & CEO of SCVEDC

Do you have a big idea, product, service or concept that will set the world on fire? This February, the Baker Family Foundation, in partnership with the SCVEDC, is putting on an entrepreneurial competition called “The Big Idea SCV.”

The Big Idea SCV provides a unique opportunity for young adults ages 16 to 22 to submit their business idea, concept or product. No Idea is too big or too small.

This contest is designed to engage and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of the youth in our community. Yet even with a great idea, entrepreneurs need to have a well-developed business description, marketing research, defined strategy and a thorough financial framework. Imagine you’re on “Shark Tank” — how will you get the attention of the judges? You need a solid business plan.

The Big Idea SCV will challenge young adults to unleash their creativity, problemsolving, critical thinking and presentation skills, developing a mindset for 21st century careers, regardless of whether they become an entrepreneur.

The competition runs from Feb. 1 to April 26 in 3 phases. Applications are available at www. thebigideascv.com. There is no charge to apply, and we will be awarding prizes valued at over $25,000 throughout the course of the competition.

Young adults will pitch their “big idea,” and engage with experienced entrepreneurs and business people, receive critical feedback and mentorship on their ideas, join a community of like-minded young adults and compete for cash prizes. The Final event will be a “live” pitch event in front of an audience at LA North Studios in Santa Clarita on April 26th where we will present the winner a check for $7,500.00.

We encourage every student to throw their hat in the ring after all: Everything begins with an idea. Ready, Set, GO!

We would like to thank our “Presenting Sponsors” The Waschak Family, AllBRiGHT Painting, and DrinkPAK, as well as our “Workshop Sponsor” Sharpe Interior Systems and all our other amazing sponsors for supporting this event. And a special thank you as well to Hillary Broadwater at QM Design Group for contributing all the graphics and design work for the project!

Sponsorship opportunities are now available! Please contact us if you are interested or have any questions regarding the event. contact@ bffofca.org

**The Big Idea SCV is a signature project of the Baker Family Foundation (BFF of CA), in partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation. 

Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita to receive $675,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Funding for “Connecting to Success” Program.

The Valley Industry Association is thrilled to announce it will receive $675,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Appropriations funding to expand its popular educational offering, “Connecting to Success,” a highimpact workforce preparation program for youth in a business conference format.

“Congressman Mike Garcia was absolutely instrumental in securing these dollars specifically to support the Connecting to Success Program,” VIA CEO/President Kathy Norris said. “His dedication to the students of the Santa Clarita Valley is unparalleled and will allow us to create a program that serves not only the students of our valley but also the SCV business community through a well-trained and appropriately skilled emerging workforce.”

VIA Vice Chair of Workforce Development Ed Masterson echoed the sentiment, saying “I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Congressman Mike Garcia and his staff for their dedicated efforts in securing this most important funding for VIA’s Connecting to Success program.”

The Congressman commented, “I am proud to have helped the Valley Industry Association (VIA) secure $675,000 in community project funding for their ‘Connecting to Success’ program. This funding will go towards training thousands of students in the Santa Clarita Valley to develop their skills and workforce preparation, and connect these students with potential employers. Work like this that VIA does is a large part of the reason why so many of our students are finding success upon graduation, securing good-paying jobs, and continuing to bless our community by settling down in the Santa Clarita Valley to raise a family and live a meaningful life.”

The funds provided will allow for expansion of the program, an immersive education/business experience for local high school youth.

Knowing numerous appropriations requests are made each year, Norris said, “We were so fortunate our request was supported and approved for 2023. Seeing this come to fruition has been amazing!” It is anticipated the funds will be received within the next 60 days and will be put to use immediately.

“The program works because the presenters and facilitators are business professionals,” Norris said, “individuals who could actually be the future employers of the attending students. We work with more than 80 local business professional each year to deliver the program. The enhanced offering, thanks to the appropriations funding, will require additional volunteers, instructional videos, follow-up sessions, internships, mentorships, forums, special events and more.”

The new funding will also allow VIA to include the teaching of additional professional skills identified by the SCV Business Community as critical for a successful career future for program participants.

VIA has been serving the business community since 1981, and for the last two decades has worked to provide high school students in the Santa Clarita Valley an ability to think about their future and connect to potential careers. More than 35,000 students have participated in the program, which has helped steer them on a pathway to success.

David Cantrell Solarverse CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Hillary Broadwater QM Design Group IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Ed Masterson Michael Elliott & Associates VICE CHAIR WORKFORCE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Kim Thomson eXp Realty TREASURER

Tim Burkhart Consultant CORPORATE SECRETARY

Sue Tweddell Primerica VICE CHAIR EDUCATION

Kim Kurowski A-1 Party VICE CHAIR EVENTS

J.C. Burnett Courier-Messenger VICE CHAIR ADVOCACY

Justin Veyna Barkley Risk Management & Insurance VICE CHAIR MEMBERSHIP

Steve Nunez Mission Valley Bank EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Nola Aronson Advanced Audiology

Claudia Dunn-Martinez UCLA Health

Monica Fawcett City of Santa Clarita

Mike Garrison KKAJ, LLP

Beau Goodrick Owen, Patterson & Owen

Carolyn Hoffman

William S. Hart Union High School District

Laura Kirchhoff Circle of Hope

Kathie Martin Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency

Jill Mellady Mellady Direct Marketing

Randy Moberg LBW Insurance & Financial Services

Teresa Todd Point of View Communications

Omar Torres College of the Canyons

Maria Vartanian

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

Steve Youlios Jersey Mike’s Subs

Mark Young Donahoe, Young & Williams, LLP