“Her desk was always covered by papers,” recalls Taylor fondly. “It was funny to see.”

It also inspired him, and Taylor strove to learn more about small business development. So when Mt. Hood Community College’s Small Business Development Center launched the youth entrepreneurship and business incubator program Project Proto in January 2015, it was almost natural that he was drawn to the opportunity.

During that first year of Project Proto, Taylor and 92 other high school students spent five months pitching business ideas, performing market research, securing funding and launching their businesses. Taylor and several of his classmates established Good Old Fashioned Caramel Corn, a business that produced traditional-style caramel corn.

“Most candy stores today only add a little caramel to their popcorn,” Taylor explained. “We put in a lot, making it really rich…Many customers say it reminds them of the caramel corn from when they grew up.”

They sold their product at various farmers’ markets – including the Gresham Saturday Market at MHCC – and similar outdoor events. The response was “overwhelmingly positive” from consumers, from business partners and from the community overall, Taylor added. And it was a lot of fun to create the company.

“I’ve had a lot of jobs over the years, but this was probably one of the most fun, exciting and challenging experiences of my life. And it was definitely a great eye opener to what business building is like,” he said.

Next up for Taylor and Good Old Fashioned Caramel Corn: Securing enough capital to buy their own caramel corn-making equipment and rent out kitchen space. Currently they rent the necessary food production equipment; by buying it, they expect to raise profit margins.

SBDC business advisor Adam Reid helped launch Project Proto. Now, as the lead instructor, he pitches the program to local high school students and helps them take their businesses from ideation to working concepts and actual companies.

The program focus, explains Reid, is to help students gain real-world experience and not just learn business from a textbook – an opportunity they often lack in high school and an increasingly necessary skillset.

“Entrepreneurship is going to become one of the most vital components of our economy,” said Reid. “I think it’s vital for students to learn those entrepreneurship skills, like problem solving, innovation, creativity, people leadership, and to start their own companies and become self-starters.”