Northfield High School Students, Chloe Mann and Maile McManus Become YWAs

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Colorado Summit, January 2023

We met Chloe and Maile during the WED Colorado Summit in January 2023. Their advisor at Northfield High School had learned about the Summit from East High School‘s Women in Business advisor. I was really excited because the WED CO planning committee didn’t know anyone from Northfield High. Chloe and Maile were in 10th grade at the time. While their advisor was unable to attend they came on their own with another student.

Pictured here with Dianne Myles CEO and Executive Producer of Dope Mom Life.

The Northfield High School DECA Club and The Entrepreneurial Spirit

Chloe joined DECA this past school year as a 10th grader. Her first time competing she placed first in the Colorado competition for the Start Up Business Plan category. Her business, A-Spec Technologies simplifies smart devices for people on the autism spectrum. Its operating system is tailored for autistic adults and children and others with significant sensory issues to use the device without being overstimulated. I saw her business plan and was sold on it. I’ve judged many business plans and I thought she was creating it as a real business. Chloe did an exceptional job of writing the plan and designing it to be easily understood and viable.

The Colorado University Boulder’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative held its New Venture Challenge on April 12 2023. Chloe entered the pitch competition and placed 2nd with her A-Spec Technologies business idea. Congratulations Chloe! We know the $1,000.00 prize money will help your entrepreneurship journey.

Maile is a serial entrepreneur. This means she has more than one business or has had more than one business. In Maile’s case she has two businesses. She is also the Vice President of Hospitality and Social Media for Northfield High School’s DECA Club. This spring (2023) she won the Colorado State Championship for her newest business Potty Fairy Tales LLC. Established in 2022, Maile created the business to help make potty training easier by using a full color book, plush fairy doll, and hard plastic toy potty. You can learn more on the Potty Fairytales LLC Facebook Page.

Maile was 11 years old when she began to sew. This was 2018 and she started her first business, Sewing with Smiles LLC. Two years later she won the Young American Center for Financial Education’s 2020 YouthBiz Stars for her age category of 12 to 15 years old. She had and still does have two lines of handbags: fashion (cosmetic and purses) and eco-friendly available on Etsy.

Maile entered the CU Boulder NVC and placed 1st for her Potty Fairy Tales LLC and won $1000.00. Maile told me her prize winnings will go right into developing Potty Fairy Tales.

Sports and Leadership Roles In and Out of Northfield High School

Chloe and Maile are also active in their school’s athletic programs. Maile plays Club volleyball and has been the captain for the past two years. She’s on the Golf Team and is a referee for the Rapids Youth Soccer Club. Chloe is a Northfield High School cheerleader and a member of the track team. She is also a member of a competitive dance team.

On the cheerleading team Chloe was selected to be a “Big” sister to a group of “Littles”. This was to support and guide them throughout the season. She was chosen for the role because of her kindness, willingness to support her teammates and coaches along with a positive attitude. Her teachers selected her to tutor younger students in understanding and applying math concepts. This was an inaugural program for the Northfield Excellence in Student Tutoring. In her role as a member of the Women’s Alliance, Chloe serves as a marketing lead, planning and promoting events and fundraisers. Chloe’s activities continue as member of Student’s Demand Action with Northfield High School, National Honor Society, and University of Colorado Pre Collegiate Development Program.

Maile is a member of Northfield High’s National Honor Society and serves on the City & County of Denver’s Mayor’s Youth Commission. During her sophomore year she volunteered with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Adaptive Recreation program for the Denver Parks and Recreation Department. This is a program available for persons with disabilities.