What Is S.YO.S?
Sponsor Your Own Success
S.YO.S is a youth entrepreneurship program for ages 5–18. Sponsor Your Own Success means learning that you can take part in creating the life and opportunities you want.
This is not simply a business class. S.YO.S helps young people recognize what they already have within themselves (their interests, talents, knowledge, creativity and ideas) and learn how to turn those things into real opportunities.
Young people don't have to wait until adulthood, high school graduation or college graduation to begin learning entrepreneurship and creating opportunities.
Three Ways to Participate
S.YO.S meets young people where they are: one-on-one, as a family, or as a group.
What Youth Learn
Areas S.YO.S can help young people develop. Every young person grows at their own pace. S.YO.S focuses on learning and growth and does not promise specific financial results.
Discover What You Have
Recognizing their skills and talents
Discovering business ideas
Creativity
Confidence
Using existing resources
Understanding that age does not prevent them from beginning to learn and create
Grow With Purpose
Communication
Responsibility
Independence
Goal setting
Why S.YO.S Exists
A Message From Sha Ma Banks
"Sponsor Your Own Success means learning that you can participate in creating the life and opportunities you want."
As a mother and an entrepreneur, I created S.YO.S because I wanted my own children to learn from a young age that they could create success based on who they already are. S.YO.S began with my daughters. I wanted them to understand that their age doesn't determine when they can begin using their skills, creativity and knowledge.
Young people shouldn't feel like they have to wait until they graduate high school or college before they can begin creating opportunities for themselves.
S.YO.S helps kids recognize what they already have inside of them and teaches them how to use it. When young people learn how to create income and opportunities from their own ideas, it can also give them more freedom to participate in the programs, sports, activities and experiences that matter to them.
Sha Ma Banks, Founder of S.YO.S
Who S.YO.S Is For
S.YO.S serves youth ages 5–18.
Participation can be Individual / One-on-One, Family, or Group / Organization. Choose the option that fits and tell us about the young people involved.
Sponsor Your Own Success
Recognize what you already have.
Learn how to use it.
Create the opportunities you want.
#BankOnIt
Register Your Interest
A free 30-minute S.YO.S consultation is available to parents interested in Individual / One-on-One S.YO.S, families interested in participating together, and groups or organizations interested in S.YO.S training, workshops or programming.
The free consultation gives us an opportunity to learn about the youth involved (their interests, ideas and goals) and determine what type of S.YO.S experience may fit them.
How it works: Consultations are held on Zoom and last 30 minutes. Times can be requested Monday through Friday, 7:30–10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (Central Time).
Please note: Requesting a time does NOT confirm your appointment. Every consultation request is reviewed and must be approved by Sha Ma Banks. Your consultation is confirmed only after you receive approval.
None of these times work for you? Complete the registration form above and use the "Request a free Zoom consultation at a different time" box to tell us which days and times work for you. Custom time requests are also reviewed and must be approved before they are confirmed.
Support S.YO.S
Help us create more opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Every contribution helps S.YO.S teach kids how to build real skills, create their own businesses and fund their own success. Financial support goes toward youth entrepreneurship training and hands-on learning.
Give to S.YO.S
Cash App: $ShamaBanks
Venmo: @elishama-puller
Zelle: hello.shamabanks@gmail.com
Want to support S.YO.S through sponsorship, mentorship, training, partnerships, events, resources or other opportunities? Reach out through our Contact link in the menu. We would love to connect.
Events & Training
S.YO.S may offer youth entrepreneurship trainings, workshops and events for young people, families and groups.
No upcoming events are scheduled yet. We welcome inquiries about:
Upcoming S.YO.S events
Youth entrepreneurship training
Workshops
Partnerships
Hosting S.YO.S programming
Group opportunities
Other opportunities
To inquire, complete the registration form above and choose Group / Organization, or reach out through our Contact link in the menu.
Sha Ma Banks | Faith. Family. Flow.
Building a life around your real life. Because wealth is bigger than money.