Lickity Split Chocolate Lickity Split Chocolate
A compelling story, too good to ignore…
…It's success in
Business…It's success in
School…It's success in
Life!
Resources are scarce for the residents living in southeastern rural Utah near the Four Corners. Poverty is pervasive, penetrating nearly 40 percent of the population. The seemingly unending remoteness of this region fuels abnormally high unemployment rates as the people struggle to find work to support their families and enjoy such luxuries as telephones and Internet service.
Many of the residents live without running water and electricity. Wood stoves heat most homes. Some residents live in traditional homes called Hogans. Roads are largely unpaved, made of dirt. Public transportation is non-existent. Residents travel far distances to shopping areas. Without adequate income to buy dependable cars and trucks, the population is isolated. Disabled vehicles litter the countryside, and serve as a testimony to the harsh living conditions.
However, the natural beauty of the region is a unmistakable, brining tourist to the region where local crafters sell their goods. Cottage industries have dominated the area for decades creating a Mecca for those who collect Native American art. However, the percent of Native American businesses in the region remains less than 1 percent.
With the onset of Internet commerce, the future looks brighter for those living in this remote area. Although better equipment and infrastructure are needed, community centers have become electronic wonderlands offering residents the ability to communicate and run businesses from the Internet. Could a remote area such areas this help US business remain competitive and prevent further outsourcing of work to India, China, etc?
SUCCESS IN BUSINESS
Lickity Split Chocolate Studio, LLC was founded as a profit making company mentoring youth who serve as Management Interns. The business was built with the ingenuity of the youth without outside grants, funds or other financial assistance. In the first year of operation the business gained profitability. The youth learn and apply business skills and have successfully developed a business that is gaining customers both regionally and nationally. The youth have met with CEOs from successful companies and top state politicians. They do much of their sales over the Internet, bringing in revenue and strengthening the local economy. Through their initiative, they have gained skills and earned bicycles, computers and other such assets.
SUCCESS IN SCHOOL
Lickity Split tutors the 35 youth who run the business. Those who have participated as Management Interns for over a year have seen an average rise in GPA of a half a percentage point. The youth are seeing a clearer connection between school and work. Thanks to the efforts of AmeriaCorp VISTA volunteers the youth receive the academic and personal attention they need to remain successful.
SUCCESS IN LIFE
Lickity Split youth have experience unusually good success both in business and in school. As Abraham Maslow, the great humanistic psychologist put it:
"People long for a sense of purpose, to be part of something greater than themselves and their search for meaning is often found in their work.
Work improves the person, that in turn improves the community, that in turn improves the world."
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