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Straight to the Trades / Future Texas Entrepreneurs

February 11, 2026

Straight to the Trades / Future Texas Entrepreneurs

On February 10th, 2026 Hope Builds Life’s pilot program for the Straight to the Trades / Future Texas Entrepreneur program came to a close with a big blowout of eight teams competing for award money in a pitch competition to business leaders in Boerne, TX. 

High School seniors put together a business idea by finding a problem, developing a solution, building a business model and marketing the idea.

Then they built a pitch deck and presented to a crowd of around 50 people including business leaders who acted as judges, parents, school administration, Boerne EDC and more. After their pitch they had a Q&A where they had to answer questions on the spot to backup their idea. 

A daunting task for prospective regular business owners and yet the students rose to the challenge and excelled. 

A SURPRISE TWIST

The judges BECAME investors in two companies.

The students did so well that the judges insisted to adding to the prize pool and awarded TWO first place teams. 

When the program started, no one was thinking about their own business. By the end, 25% of the class is looking at starting one after high school. This goes to show, if you give someone space for creativity, give them the tools and knowledge to move forward, and foster a belief in them, then a whole new generation of small business owners will carry America forward.

FIRST PLACE WINNERS

Outlaw Belt Buckles

Ironline Trailers

SECOND PLACE WINNER

Freedom Fabrication

FreedomFab

OUR JUDGES

Bill Bird - Bird Imports

Michael Canteras - Woodforest Bank

John Williamson - Williamson Roofing

OUR TEAMS

Ironline Trailers

Drone Security Solutions

BOB Parking

Ironwood Furniture

Freedom Fabrication

Outlaw Belt Buckles

PinPoint

ArrowNav

Judging Criteria

Every team had a great idea and a viable business model. Ultimately judging came down to several things:

  • How Good the Business Idea is
  • How Developed the idea is
  • Slide Deck Quality
  • Presentation Quality
  • Does the judge believe in it to invest themselves

THANK YOU

Our Sponsors:

  • Longarm Technologies
  • Rebecca White

Thank you to our judges for graciously giving their time.

Thank you to the mentors who donated their time and expertise helping students prepare their pitches.

Thank you to Principal Benke and Champion High School for allowing us to run the pilot program.

Thank you to Samantha Morganroth and Das Greenhaus in collaborating this program.

Thank you to Michael Etheridge for spearheading and supporting the program from the beginning.

Thank you to Dr. Kraft, Boerne Superintendent, for allowing this Texas and nationally recognized Champion Agmech\Welding Program and for attending the pitch competition and seeing the fantastic results that came from it.

Thank you to all the students who were a part of this process. For your patience and open minds, and more so, your effort in building your businesses.

...AND FINALLY

Thank you Dorman Vick for bringing Hope Builds Life into your  Welding program and classroom, your tireless advocation for students going into the trades. Truly, your program is the best in Texas driven by your ‘students first’ mentality and fortitude.

This would not have happened without your support.

Want to Support The Trades?

Donate your time, or bring us to your school, contact us below

Donate your resources and help close the trades gap

His Way Press or Print

July 9, 2025

His Way Press or Print

His Way Press or Print is a professional apparel shop that understands the need to give back. Our official partner with all our promo and apparel needs, His Way has been awesome in supporting our mission. 

“We can make your vision a reality – from Custom Signage, Banners, Decals, and Stickers to help take your brand to the next level. Recently adding Video content for your social media platforms. Our heart’s desire is to create relationships with our partners. Something new can be challenging, at His Way Press or Print, you can ask any questions and leave our shop with as much information possible knowing that you are comfortable on the process of your Product.

The possibilities are endless and we are excited on what the future holds.”

www.hiswaysignshop.com

Kendra Scott Sponsors Hope Builds Life

May 27, 2025

Kendra Scott Helps Foster Children Have Joy

Kendra Scott understands that foster children need normalcy in their lives and birthday boxes are a way for families to bond and joy to be brought to the children.

Kendra brings beauty to the world through their craft, now they are helping children see beauty in the world and that people care. 

We are grateful for Kendra’s support and sponsorship to this mission to bring birthday boxes to foster children and help them in their day through recognition, validation, and letting a kid, be a kid.

Hope Builds Life – Helps the next generation in Trades!

May 27, 2025

Construction Career Academy helps prepare the next generation of high school graduates to join the Trades Industry.

Thanks to private and corporate donations, Hope Builds Life was able to provide tool grants to five deserving students entering the trades workforce next month with $1,000 gift cards to a home improvement store. 

Our mission is to close the growing trades gap by giving new tradesmen a head start by helping them get the tools they need to succeed at their new trade.

Dreambox Delivery!

April 14, 2025

Dreambox Birthday Boxes has started its deliveries! We are grateful to be able to help put these together with the help of our partners and donors. 

Shoutout to Jeremiah’s Italian Ice for their contributions to the boxes!

We are in process of the next batch now. If you want to help us you can donate money for the gift cards and cakes or you can directly purchase items for the boxes that we need.

Let’s make sure every foster kid has a real birthday party. It is the little things that help them feel worthy. Help us celebrate their life on their birthday.

Ethos Educate Shout out

April 9, 2025

Ethos Speech Language Learning Published

Ethos Speech Language Learning was featured in SA Voyage a San Antonio publication connecting the community and bringing exposure to San Antonio’s small businesses.

READ IT HERE

Why is this important? 

With our partnership with SCORE San Antonio, Hope Builds Life’s Strengthen Foundations program is producing results. Executive Director Andrew Flippo has been a mentor and coach to Ethos and received a shoutout from them in the article. 

We are excited about their success for the future.

www.ethoseducate.com