FLEX: Where Walton County’s Young Entrepreneurs Get Their Start
Maybe they’re mowing lawns, baking cakes, detailing cars, designing T-shirts, making jewelry, taking photos, creating content, tutoring, or turning another talent into a little extra money. Maybe they don’t have a business yet—but they have an idea they can’t stop thinking about.
FLEX is designed to help them take that next step.
The Walton County Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer FLEX – Foundational Leadership & Entrepreneur X-perience, an entrepreneurship program and competition open to Walton County high school students in grades 9–12.
FLEX gives students the opportunity to move beyond simply learning about business and actually experience what it means to build one.
Dream It. Build It. FLEX It.
Through FLEX, students will have the opportunity to develop their business idea, gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience, connect with business leaders, and develop skills that will benefit them long after the competition ends.
Students can:
- Create a REAL business
- Make REAL money
- Connect and network with business leaders
- Build their résumé
- Develop communication, leadership, problem-solving, and workforce skills
- Gain confidence in presenting themselves and their ideas
- Compete and showcase what they have built
And perhaps most importantly, FLEX gives young people a place to discover what they are capable of doing.
Who Should Apply?
FLEX isn't only for the student who already considers themselves an entrepreneur.
It's for the student with a side hustle who wants to take it further.
It's for the creative student who is always making or designing something.
It's for the problem-solver who sees a need and immediately starts thinking of a solution.
It's for the student who says, “I have an idea…” but isn't quite sure what to do with it next.
And it's for the student who may never have thought about entrepreneurship until a parent, teacher, counselor, employer, coach, or another adult says:
“You would be great at this. You should apply.”
Parents and Teachers: You Play an Important Role
Sometimes young people don't recognize their own potential until someone else points it out.
We are asking parents, teachers, counselors, school administrators, local employers, and other community members to help us identify Walton County students who have that entrepreneurial spark.
Students are required to have both a parent and a teacher signature as part of their FLEX application. We hope those signatures represent more than approval to participate—they represent adults who are encouraging that student to take a chance on an idea and themselves.
If a student immediately came to mind while you were reading this, send them this page and encourage them to apply.
Ready to FLEX Your Potential?
Applications are open to Walton County high school students in grades 9–12 through September 24, 2026.
Students will need to provide information about themselves, their company name and business idea or description, along with the required student, parent, and teacher signatures.
Have an idea? Have a business? Or simply think you might have what it takes? We want to hear from you.
Dream It. Build It. FLEX It.
The next generation of Walton County entrepreneurs is already here. FLEX is ready to help them get started.