ACE Project teaches children business skills

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than a dozen children affected by gun violence had the opportunity to learn business skills.

The ACE Project in Louisville is celebrating its 14 students who started their own business through its Academy of Child Entrepreneurship Course.

The course taught Jayme Angton how to start her business, “All Things Girls.”

“I make a bunch of jewelry,” said Angton, CEO and owner of All Things Girls. “Basically, I make a lot of women’s jewelry, and this year I started selling men’s jewelry. I have a new collection called ‘All Things Men’ this year, and I also sell tutus.”

The 14-year-old worked through the seven-month program learning business vocabulary, financial skills and how to make a business plan.

“It’s a little hard; there is a lot of planning that goes into this,” she said. “This is like a whole-day process … and you have to make sure you’re prepared. You have to make sure you have projects; you have to make sure you can speak to people.”

Angton said she was shy before the program but now doesn’t mind getting out of her comfort zone. 

“The ACE Project has helped me come out of my shell and allowed me to do a whole bunch of different things with my creativity,” Angton said. 

The ACE Project’s mission is to transform the lives of underserved children and families affected by gun violence and trauma. Rose Smith, executive director of the ACE Project, said the program is a preventative measure to keep children busy.

“I had one young man tell me that when he does his clothing, it … gives him a sense of peace and it gives him a sense of belonging,” Smith said. “He enjoys doing it, and he (doesn’t) even think about wanting to go out in the street.”

The ACE Project provides financial support for students to get their business going. 

The free course will run again this summer. Children 10 to 18 years old can sign up.