The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Inside Williamson County’s Entrepreneurship Center
Most high school students are busy studying for tests, finishing homework and counting down the days until graduation. But what if part of your school day involved launching your own business? At Williamson County Schools Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EC), that’s exactly what students are doing.
Established in 2019 near Franklin High School, the EC gives students a chance to experience what it’s really like to start and run a business. And word has gotten around! What began with just seventy students has grown to more than 250, with students traveling from all eleven Williamson County high schools to participate.
Forget the typical classroom routine. At the EC, students might spend one day developing a product and the next preparing to pitch their idea. From budgeting and contracts to marketing and finding customers, they’re learning the ins and outs of running a business, all before graduation.
But the learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Thanks to partnerships with Williamson, Inc., the Nolensville Farmers Market, and the Downtown Franklin Rotary Club, students get to take their ideas into the community. They can sell products at local markets, pitch business ideas and hear directly from people who know what it takes to run a successful business.
The center also hosts monthly Mentor Days, giving students the chance to connect with local business owners and professionals who share advice, answer questions and offer a little encouragement along the way.
And some of these young entrepreneurs are already making quite a name for themselves!
Take Abigail Goddard, a 2026 graduate who developed Spikey, a keychain with testing strips designed to detect drink-spiking substances. Her invention earned her both Entrepreneurship Center and National Uncharted Final Pitch Champion honors. She’s now studying at the Wharton School.
Then there’s Anthony Beckett, who created Markify, a platform that turns student devices into collaborative digital whiteboards. Now attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Anthony also earned championship honors at both competitions.
Of course, not every idea becomes an overnight success, and that’s part of the lesson. At the EC, students are encouraged to “fail forward” and understand that mistakes are part of the process.
“Students quickly learn that failure is not something to avoid but rather something to learn from,” says Paula Chilton, Assistant Director at the Entrepreneurship Center.
It’s a lesson that goes well beyond business. Students leave with stronger communication skills, more confidence and the ability to tackle challenges, whether they’re starting a company or pursuing an entirely different career.
Now in its eighth year, the EC is beginning to see former students return to Williamson County as young professionals, bringing the program full circle.
Interested in getting involved? Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all eleven district high schools can apply through an application and interview process. Eligible rising freshmen who participated in the middle school MX program may also apply.
Who knows… The next big business idea might be coming from a Williamson County classroom!
To learn more about Williamson County Schools Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, including student opportunities and how to get involved, visit wcs.edu.
