VaVaVroom Founder Honored for Mentoring Ambitious Students

**Chicago, IL (May 17, 2010) **- Denise Maple, founder of VaVaVroom LLC, received a Future Founders Rookie of the Year Award for her work with students at this year's student business plan competition at ESPN Zone on May 5, 2010. Maple donates her time and knowledge, mentoring public high school students through the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's Future Founder's Program.

This year's competition gave 160 students from five South Side public high schools the chance to develop and showcase their own business plans to launch new products and services as young entrepreneurs. The students were recognized for their businesses by a panel of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. A total of $30,000 in prizes was awarded, including $10,000 in scholarships to the Future Founders Academy, an entrepreneurial camp this June. First place was awarded to Morgan Brock from Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy for a patented washcloth design that secures a bar of soap to the washcloth to prevent waste and to save money.

Ms. Maple explains why she is involved in Future Founders, "I get as much out of it as I give. Seeing these kids learn and gain confidence throughout the year is very rewarding for me."

CEC's Future Founders program was created in 2005 to expose students to careers in entrepreneurship and to foster skills such as public speaking, presentation, technology, and financial literacy skills by giving them the opportunity to work with successful local entrepreneurs. For more information about the Future Founders program or to become a mentor, visit www.chicagolandec.org/futurefounders.

Denise Maple created VaVaVroom LLC in 2007 to counter a lack of femininity and style in an ever-increasing market of women motorcycle enthusiasts. The apparel company delivers a passion for design, fit, and practicality to the industry. Maple actively supports the biker community with her website, www.vavavroomonline.com, that caters specifically to women that ride motorcycles and scooters.