FLEX ABY Finalists pictured with Judges. Tabarri Mathis, a junior at Monroe Comprehensive High School, won first place, securing his spot at the state finals in April and earning $3,000 in prize money.  Mathis’ business, Malik’s Perfect Stitch, is an apparel business offering custom tailoring services. Samantha Aberdeen, a junior at Dougherty Comprehensive High School won second place and $2,000 with her business, SJ Apparel, a business specializing in custom-designed bracelets, earrings and unique fashion accessories. Michael Anderson, a senior from Westover High School, won third place and $1,000 with Mike’s Saxes, an entertainment-for-hire business specializing in jazz music performances for events

Three industrious students vied for top slot Friday at the FLEX ABY youth entrepreneurship competition finals organized by the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission and the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (4C) at Albany State University. The competition, which kicked off in September, ignites innovation and empowers young entrepreneurs in the Albany Area through mentorship, guidance and hands-on experience that provides students with the tools and resources to develop unique business ideas and succeed in the competitive world of entrepreneurship. 

"FLEX ABY plays a crucial role in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among our youth and provides them with an invaluable opportunity to develop their business acumen and turn their ideas into reality,” said Chris Hatcher, CEO of 4C Academy. 

The local program is made possible through the partnership of the three organizations and the investment of Albany’s bustling business community. Bárbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, emphasized the significance of the program and the business community’s contributions. 

“FLEX ABY provides our students with real-world business experience and enhances employability skills such as accountability, collaboration, problem solving and creative thinking,” Holmes said. “We are grateful to our business community, whose support through one-on-one mentorship, group workshops and constructive feedback helped our students prepare their businesses for the marketplace and develop business-world talents that will take them far.” 

The competition narrowed since its fall kickoff through three rounds. On Friday, the program’s top three finalists made their final pitches. Tabarri Mathis, a junior at Monroe Comprehensive High School, won first place, securing his spot at the state finals in April and earning $3,000 in prize money. Mathis’ business, Malik’s Perfect Stitch, is an apparel business offering custom tailoring services. Samantha Aberdeen, a junior at Dougherty Comprehensive High School won second place and $2,000 with her business, SJ Apparel, a business specializing in custom-designed bracelets, earrings and unique fashion accessories. Michael Anderson, a senior from Westover High School, won third place and $1,000 with Mike’s Saxes, an entertainment-for-hire business specializing in jazz music performances for events. All three student attend 4C. 

“We are proud to support these young entrepreneurs and look forward to seeing them thrive in the future,” said Jana Dyke, president & CEO of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. 

The Friday event provided students with the platform to pitch their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges: Alex Rhodeen from Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC); Col. Matt McKinney, commanding officer of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany; Sheri Barlow from Englewood Health Care and Zak’s French Market & Consignment; Katie Hughey from Hughey & Neuman; Hayes Cook with The CE Family; Asa Porter from Georgia Pacific’s corporate office in Atlanta; and King Randall from The X for Boys. 

Mathis will compete at the state FLEX finals April 12 in Fitzgerald, where the program was founded, at which the first place winner will walk away with a $10,000 prize. 

Year three of the local programs kicks off this fall as the partnership plans to expand school participation in Dougherty County.