From JA Student to Entrepreneur

Jenna's Journey

Author: Heather Wirth
Entrepreneurship
Published: Thursday, 20 Nov 2025

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Female student and Female professional pose and smile looking at the camera

Image caption: At JA Leading Ladies, Jenna Stakias (pictured on the right) meets with a JA student.

Each year, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland (JA) empowers more than 30,000 students to take charge of their futures through hands-on learning experiences. While we don’t always get to see where every student’s journey leads, some continue to embody our mission in extraordinary ways like Jenna Stakias.

Jenna’s JA journey began when she participated in JA BizTown, as a fifth grader at Riderwood Elementary School. Jenna remembers her job that day was as CEO of the bank, where she learned to balance a checkbook and manage money. “That experience made money feel less intimidating and sparked an early understanding of responsibility and teamwork.” Jenna recalls the experience instilling a new confidence she had not previously felt, being empowered to hold a leadership role and entrusted to guide her classmates to run a successful business for the day. Intrigued by the experience and eager to explore more, Jenna asked her mom to sign her up for a weeklong camp with JA that summer.

Fast forward to college - Jenna’s journey came full circle when she returned to JA, this time to work as a program intern. A student at Towson University, it was through her internship and being able to see JA “behind the scenes” that Jenna gained a deeper appreciation for JA’s impact. “I realized that not all children grow up believing they can be a CEO or CFO. That realization opened my eyes to how important JA really is—it helps students see what’s possible for their future.”

Today, Jenna’s entrepreneurial mindset has helped her turn her passion into purpose. She operates The True Empire, a creative agency that houses multiple ventures, including marketing, photography and podcasting services. Under the brand, Jenna hosts and produces True Talk podcast. Jenna is committed to working with entrepreneurs, brands and visionaries who are looking to amplify their message with authenticity and heart.

Serving as the bank CEO in JA BizTown was Jenna’s first experience leading a team, and it played a critical role in sparking her interest in leadership. She continued to pursue leadership opportunities throughout high school and college, building confidence and skills that ultimately led her to launch her own business. “My entrepreneurial journey really grew out of my passion for leadership, storytelling, and helping others embrace their authentic selves,” she shares.

JA helped spark an early interest in leadership and responsibility for Jenna and played a pivotal role in her entrepreneurial journey. Today, as she leads a thriving business, Jenna clearly sees how those early lessons in JA BizTown planted seeds for understanding financial management, teamwork, and leadership, critical skills she relies on daily to run her company.

Jenna continues to serve as an ambassador for JA, most recently sharing her professional journey with nearly 200 high school students at the 10^th annual JA Leading Ladies. From writing her first check in JA BizTown to signing business contracts as a CEO, Jenna’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the resources, support and opportunity to see themselves as leaders.