A drive is underway to HYPE Henryetta.
HYPE stands for Henryetta Young Professional Entrepreneurs and is designed to provide a way for new, younger business owners to work together to expand their businesses and help the community.
April Mason, a life-long Henryetta resident, is spearheading the effort and has set up two meetings this Thursday, May 18 to launch the program.
“There are so many young entrepreneurs on Main Street and we want to get together to see Henryetta thrive,” she said.
The meetings will be held at Rustler’s barbecue at noon and again at 6 p.m. “We decided to hold two meetings in order to give people an opportunity to make at least one of them. We know some people may not be able to get away at noon.”
Even though HYPE contains the word Young, Mason said there is no age cutoff. “Youth is a state of mind. If a person feels young enough to effect change and see the community thrive, they can join.”
Plans also call for some of the older professionals to act as mentors for people starting in business. They can help with their experience and knowledge as well.
Mason and HYPE associate director Michelle Genova have been going to businesses throughout Henryetta putting the word out about the program. “We have had a great response from people who want to see something like this.”
The posters have QR codes that can be scanned by cell phones and provide information about the meetings and the programs. Those QR codes are also part of a video interview about HYPE Henryetta.
The organizaiton has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hypehenryetta that will also provide more information.