ST. LOUIS – Have you ever had a business idea, but didn’t know what to do with it? Fifteen eighth grade students enrolled in programs at Girls Inc. St. Louis (Girls Inc.) are figuring it out.

The youngsters were selected to participate in Girls Inc.’s inaugural Business and Entrepreneurship Program. They are taking all sorts of courses at the University of Missouri St. Louis, including business, marketing, artificial intelligence, and others.

The goal is to empower the girls and expose them to careers in business to help them decide what they want to do in the future. Meanwhile, they are learning what to do with their business ideas. At the end of the six-week program they will have an opportunity to work with local entrepreneurs and pitch their ideas in Shark Tank fashion.

Cheryl Jones, President and CEO of Girls Inc. St. Louis partnered with Ellen Dierberg, Vice Chairwoman of the board with St. Louis based First Bank to create the remarkable program, which lasts five years. It will be interesting to see whether the young ladies’ ideas take off and which career path, they choose upon completing the program. Nestle Purina and the Fabulous Fox are also proud sponsors of the program.

For more information about Girls Inc. St. Louis visit www.girlsincstl.org.