FedEx Junior Business Challenge Kicks Off Season 3 with PGA

May 22, 2019

The FedEx Junior Business Challenge officially kicked off its third season on May 22, 2019. Jointly established by FedEx and JA Worldwide in 2017, teams of young entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges—sport stars, celebrities, and business world players—in an effort to score a $75,000 donation for their JA location, courtesy of FedEx. The first qualifying event in this year’s challenge was held at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, TX, on May 22.

Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour golfer Ryan Palmer and National Football League (NFL) player DeMarcus Ware served as two of the Fort Worth panel judges:

Many thanks to incredible judges at the #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge at @CSChallengeFW: 4-time @PGATOUR winner @RyanPalmerPGA; 9-time @NFL Pro Bowler @DeMarcusWare; @MonicaDonnerCS, VP at @CharlesSchwab; and Steve Slaughter, @HalleJoy founder. #SchwabChallenge @FedEx @JAFortWorth pic.twitter.com/7HsYYMNrqm

— JA Worldwide (@JAWorldwide) May 22, 2019

Such a great experience meeting with these great young minds. Thanks to @DeMarcusWare for the help! #FedExJuniorBiz https://t.co/rUZ2axeW31

— Ryan Palmer (@RyanPalmerPGA) May 28, 2019

Another successful #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge was held today @CSChallengeFW, including guest judges @RyanPalmerPGA and @DeMarcusWare, among others. #pgatour #FedExCares pic.twitter.com/6miZvDzsAc

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) May 22, 2019

Sports analyst John Denton emceed the event.

Had a blast hosting the ⁦@FedEx⁩ Junior Business Challenge at the ⁦@CSChallengeFW⁩ today! Some great business ideas from ⁦@JAFortWorth⁩! Thanks to judges ⁦@RyanPalmerPGA⁩ ⁦@DeMarcusWare⁩ ⁦@MonicaDonnerCS⁩ & Steve Slaughter #FedExJuniorBiz pic.twitter.com/xsaQYj7oir

— John Denton (@johndentonTCU) May 23, 2019

Special thanks to @johndentonTCU for emceeing today's #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge, and to all the @JAFortWorth, @CSChallengeFW, and @FedEx staff and volunteers who helped make today's youth #entrepreneurship challenge a big hit! #SchwabChallenge pic.twitter.com/3MMzek1y1v

— JA Worldwide (@JAWorldwide) May 22, 2019

Four teams from JA of the Chisholm Trail in the Fort Worth area participated in the event, pitching motivational journals for teen girls, bracelets made from parachute cords, high-performance umbrellas, and pet collars with matching necklaces for owners.

Up first at the #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge is “Our Story” from @JAFortWorth and @EatonHighSchool, offering a motivational journal for teen girls that helps reduce anxiety, stress, and more while focusing on achieve their goals! #SchwabChallenge @FedEx @PGATOUR @CSChallengeFW pic.twitter.com/FzUrBSJF9g

— JA Worldwide (@JAWorldwide) May 22, 2019

The second team at the #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge is Paraloop from @boswellhs, offering custom-made, engraved paracord bracelets. (And, yes, that's @DeMarcusWare, one of the judges, looking on!) #SchwabChallenge @JAFortWorth @FedEx @PGATOUR @CSChallengeFW pic.twitter.com/j1PkaQ4khe

— JA Worldwide (@JAWorldwide) May 22, 2019

Next up at the #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge is team Brella from @Southwest_HS, offering uniquely designed rain and sun shade umbrellas that stay drier and cooler than standard umbrellas! #SchwabChallenge @JAFortWorth @FedEx @PGATOUR @CSChallengeFW pic.twitter.com/MeauCBHwZE

— JA Worldwide (@JAWorldwide) May 22, 2019

The final team at the #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge is “G.O.A.L.” from @EatonHighSchool, offering pet collars that come with matching necklaces for owners . . . and giving a portion of proceeds to shelters! #SchwabChallenge @JAFortWorth @FedEx @PGATOUR @CSChallengeFW pic.twitter.com/GFyBGqfBO2

— JA Worldwide (@JAWorldwide) May 22, 2019

The all-girls team Our Story won the preliminary competition with their product, a motivational journal for teen girls that aims to reduce anxiety and stress and help set and achieve goals.

Thanks to @DeMarcusWare and @RyanPalmerPGA for helping us kick off season three of the #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge, and congrats to Our Story of @JAFortWorth for advancing to the finals! pic.twitter.com/yPbimzmN2F

— FedEx (@FedEx) May 23, 2019

Good times at the @FedEx Junior Business Challenge today – students from @JAFortWorth did a great job presenting their business ideas💡#FedExJuniorBiz #SchwabChallenge pic.twitter.com/9Fu7nLFSyZ

— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) May 22, 2019

Many thanks to incredible judges at the #FedExJuniorBiz Challenge at @CSChallengeFW: 4-time @PGATOUR winner @RyanPalmerPGA; 9-time @NFL Pro Bowler @DeMarcusWare; @MonicaDonnerCS, VP at @CharlesSchwab; and Steve Slaughter, @HalleJoy founder. #SchwabChallenge @FedEx @JAFortWorth pic.twitter.com/7HsYYMNrqm

— JA Worldwide (@JAWorldwide) May 22, 2019

Our Story will go on to the final round, to be held at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta, GA, on August 21, 2019.

The second of three qualifying events will be held on June 18 at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, CT. The third and final qualifying event will be held on July 2 at the 3M Open in Blaine, MN.