Bethesda Teenager Selected as Junior Achievement Youth Entrepreneur of the Year

[Howard Hartman]

Greater Washington Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Competition
June 14, 2012
Competition Overview Past Winners Official Rules Junior Achievement	Adam Holland Selected As Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Adam Holland, a rising junior at The Landon School in Bethesda, MD, was named the Greater Washington Youth Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young and Junior Achievement of Greater Washington. Adam, who is 16, was honored for founding AJ's Hawaiian Iceez, a shaved ice frozen dessert company. In the spring of 2008, Adam and his brother Jonathan were thinking of business ideas that could help their parents pay for their little sister's tuition at a private school. He decided to start a company they would both enjoy, and after doing market research and determining the financial viability of the business, founded AJ's Hawaiian Iceez. From his initial setup in a tent with three tables, Adam has substantially grown the business, purchasing a mobile trailer that can quickly move from event to event. Today, AJ's Hawaiian Iceez sells authentic Hawaiian shaved ice as an alternative to ice cream, snow cones, and other frozen desserts. Careful attention is given to the preparation of the shaved ice, which has the consistency of snow, allowing the flavor to be dispersed evenly throughout it. Adam has propelled his business to success, generating over $100,000 in revenue over the past four summers by remaining customer focused and family friendly, all while maintaining excellent relationships with the coordinators of the events where he sells his product. He is also keen to give back to the community, annually donating up to 60% of select event sales to local schools and non-profit organizations. To learn more about AJ's Hawaiian Iceez, visit www.ajsiceez.com. “Adam has demonstrated tremendous entrepreneurial drive by turning his desire to help his family into a profitable and fast-growing business venture,” said Ed Grenier, President and CEO of Junior Achievement. “We are very pleased to partner with Ernst & Young to recognize Adam with this award.” This year was the ninth time the Greater Washington Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award has been offered. Adam was chosen from among numerous teen applicants for the honor, which includes a $1,000 award from Ernst & Young, as well as recognition at Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and the Washington Business Hall of Fame. Junior Achievement motivates students to develop the skills needed to experience the realities and opportunities of the 21st-century global marketplace; developing the confidence to enter the workforce and contribute to economic growth. Our program curriculum fosters work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills, utilizing experiential learning to inspire kids to dream big and reach their potential. This year, over 52,000 students in Greater Washington will participate in Junior Achievement programs. To learn more, please visit www.myJA.org.
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