December 6, 2024 

On Wednesday, November 20, Arlington Heights High School students had the opportunity to step into the world of entrepreneurship—learning from business owners along Fort Worth’s iconic Camp Bowie corridor. In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Fort Worth Chamber’s West Area Board, in partnership with the Camp Bowie District and FWISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department, hosted a hands-on event designed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. 

This year, the event focused on businesses near Arlington Heights High School, giving students a chance to explore local establishments like Archie’s Gardenland, Tokyo Café, The Market at Ridglea, Fort Worth Camera, Kincaid’s Hamburgers, and Tommy’s Hamburgers. These stops weren’t just about looking at products—they were about connecting with the people behind the businesses, many of whom have decades of experience in the community. 

At each business, students sat down with the owners to hear stories about what it takes to succeed. Some owners shared how they built their businesses from the ground up, while others talked about the challenges of keeping a family business alive for multiple generations. The students learned that entrepreneurship isn’t just about having an idea—it’s about having the perseverance to overcome obstacles and the willingness to keep learning. 

In the afternoon, Jazmin Gutierrez from the City of Fort Worth spoke to the students about the resources available to help small business owners thrive, giving them practical tools they can use if they ever decide to launch their own companies. Local entrepreneurs Casey Oliver and Sarah Castillo also shared their personal stories, discussing the ups and downs of starting a business and what they’ve learned along the way. 

For the students, the event wasn’t just about learning what it takes to run a business—it was about discovering how to communicate with confidence, solve problems creatively, and build meaningful connections. These skills, often called “soft skills,” are essential to becoming successful in the business world, and they’re often the hardest to learn in the classroom. 

The Fort Worth Chamber first teamed up with the City of Fort Worth and FWISD three years ago to create the business crawl. Since then, it’s become a highly anticipated event that not only helps students understand the local business landscape but also contributes to the development of the next wave of entrepreneurs in Fort Worth. 

It was a great opportunity for the West Area Board to partner with Camp Bowie District. Especially in light of the fact that many years ago the West Area Board partnered with Texas Wesleyan University to address long term viability for Camp Bowie Boulevard. This vision led to the creation of Camp Bowie District, Inc., which continues to play a pivotal role in the area’s ongoing development. 

Through initiatives like this, the Fort Worth Chamber is helping to create a supportive ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs, ensuring that Fort Worth remains not only a business-friendly city but a place where creativity, innovation, and hard work are celebrated.