17-year-old Teaches Business Through Duct Tape Workshop

William Beacom, a 17-year-old entrepreneur from Midland High School, has developed a Duct Tape Craft Workshop that will be featured at the St. Ignace Public Library Saturday, June 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program is open to the public and all young people are invited to participate.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and MSU Extension, the program's goal is to inspire older youth and teens to learn how to use their creativity to launch their own businesses.

Inspired by "The Red Green Show" six years ago, Mr. Beacon created his first duct tape wallet as a hobby. He has now turned his hobby into a profession and has taught people from all over the state. In December 2006, he was a guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and has shown Mr. Letterman how to make a duct tape wallet.

As part of the 4-H Youth "Kids to Entrepreneurs" program, Mackinac County was selected to be one of seven counties throughout the state to pilot the youth entrepreneurship project.

The goal of the project is to create at least one 4-H Club with 10 to 15 teen youth involved in an entrepreneurship and financial education program, with a focus on creating a local business.