Teens Participate in Program Started by Cincinnati Business Owner: ‘Most Fun Three Weeks of my Summer’

July 4, 2024

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A group of 14 high school students participated in the Bigger Than Sneakers (BTS) Academy, focusing on designing shoes, clothing, and creating a business strategy over three weeks.

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The academy, led by co-founder Matt Tomamichel, provided iPads with design software and featured guest speakers from marketing and business fields. Students collaborated on mock companies and presented their projects to judges. Tomamichel, inspired to give back to his community, aimed to empower youth with entrepreneurial skills and opportunities for personal growth, reflecting Tomamichel’s goal of nurturing local talent and promoting success within Cincinnati.
The BTS Academy convened handpicked students for three weeks of classes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Each student received a new iPad equipped with design software. During the first two weeks, they engaged with guest speakers prominent in marketing, design, and business. In the final week, students worked in groups to develop mock companies, complete with budgets and marketing plans, culminating in presentations to a panel of judges.
Matt Tomamichel, co-founder of Bigger Than Sneakers, established his first sneaker boutique, Corporate, in Hyde Park 16 years ago. Since then, he has expanded with additional stores in Indianapolis and Dayton. Bigger Than Sneakers aims to provide the community with more than just footwear options, reflecting Tomamichel’s vision of community enrichment beyond fashion.
Matt Tomamichel, reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey without a college degree, felt compelled to create opportunities like the BTS Academy, drawing from his own experiences growing up in Greenhills. He believes today’s youth face accelerated maturity due to social media and desires to prepare them better for adulthood by helping them discover their passions earlier.
Participants, like Mariam Barry and Jayden Thrasher, reflected on the impact of the BTS Academy, expressing how it has spurred them to deeply consider their passions and future aspirations. They felt the program has elevated their thinking to a new level, prompting introspection about their career goals and personal ambitions.
Matt Tomamichel, co-founder of Bigger Than Sneakers and creator of the BTS Academy, shared his satisfaction with the program’s influence. He believes it’s essential to foster positive examples of success within their community, emphasizing that greatness can be achieved locally without needing to leave. Tomamichel finds fulfillment in inspiring young individuals to envision and achieve their dreams close to home.