YEPS

What is YEPS?

YEPS is a close-knit, weekly peer group (4–7 members) for students in Grades 8–12 in Langley, BC. We focus on developing communication skills, analyzing real industry trends, and building hands-on mini businesses together.

These aren't kid businesses

If you want to make jewellery, don't go buy a crafting kit — work your way toward being an actual jeweller. If you're into robots, don't buy a robot kit — work your way toward a robotics company that stands on its own.

Starting this young is harder in places. There are things you can't legally do yet, and we work around them instead of pretending they aren't there. But it's easier in every way that lasts: you get to set it up properly from the beginning, you have years to learn, and you have room to make mistakes that someone starting at thirty with a mortgage simply doesn't have.

Session Structure

• 0:00 – 0:15 Settle & Dream Check-In

  Arrive, connect to Wi-Fi, and open up. Each member restates their long-term target out loud to lock in focus and build momentum.

• 0:15 – 1:00 Industry Deep Dive & Market Research

  15 minutes of hands-on research on laptops/tablets exploring the week's voted topic, followed by 30 minutes of breakdown: market gaps, trends, and real-world micro/macro impacts.

• 1:00 – 1:15 Task Selection & Accountability

  Each member selects two specific, actionable tasks they commit to finishing for their personal project before the next meeting.

• 1:15 – 1:55 Social Decompress & Free Time

  35–40 minutes to decompress, collaborate on ideas, play games, or keep building. This is where real trust, friendships, and organic networking form.

• 1:55 – 2:00 Final Re-Commitment

  Quick circle back to restate weekly commitments before heading out.

Why this structure?

I structured the typical day this way because restating dreams at the beginning helps people remember them and keeps the research and tasks pointed toward making them real. Looking at different industries builds knowledge and can spark ideas for anyone who doesn't have a business yet. Choosing two concrete tasks creates accountability and real momentum. Free time near the end lets the learning settle while people build trust and friendship with each other.

Practical Details

• Who it's forThis group is designed for the grade range of Grades 8–12.
• Group sizeThe group size is 4–7 people max.
• Session lengthThe session length is always about 2 hours.
• How long it runsYEPS runs while I’m a teen, and wraps up just before I turn 20. Everyone gets plenty of notice before the last session — here’s what happens then.
• What to bringLaptop or tablet preferred (phones not used during research); if you don't have one, you can share with someone. Feel free to bring a card game or something for the free period.
• LocationWe meet at a small family restaurant around Langley City — a place my own family has been eating at for years, so the staff know us. We're in the main dining room during normal business hours. The exact spot is shared with those who will participate.
• CostThe first session of YEPS is free, to garner interest in the program and test feasibility. After that it's $50/month — that's four sessions, and snacks at every one of them.
• What's includedWe meet at a restaurant, and snacks are included: fries, fruit, maybe toast. If you want anything beyond that — a full meal, a specialty drink — you order and pay for it yourself.
• PayingStripe is preferred — set it up once and it renews automatically each month, so nobody has to remember. If you'd rather pay cash, bring it to the first session of the month.

About

Hi, I'm Sophia, and I'm a homeschooled teen in Langley, BC. I created YEPS because I wanted to build a tight-knit space for teens to practice real-world communication skills, analyze modern business trends, and create real businesses that create real profit, and could be scaled throughout a YEPS member's life (although I can't guarantee success — business is business after all!).

I focus on keeping our weekly sessions practical, low-drama, and high-value so everyone in the squad can sharpen their confidence and move their personal projects forward. If you (the teen) or your child (parent of the teen) are entrepreneurial but are stuck in a loop of planning and prep, or a kid with a dream and feeling the 9 to 5 just won't cut it, then YEPS is for you! I myself am a kid with a dream, who knows the 9 to 5 won't work, and usually stuck in the planning loop. Join me on a wealth building journey to our dream!

Free Preview Session

Interested in seeing how a session runs? The first group meeting is 100% free for anyone looking to check out if this is right for them.