OUR STORY
YEM was cofounded by Ethan Ash and Michael Mazza in 2016, after inquiring with Michael’s daughters about how they could expand their driveway lemonade stand. Michael had a vision for a community event that gave young people an opportunity to explore beyond their traditional lemonade stands and be the vendors of the event. Ethan had a "like-minded" idea about educating young people about entrepreneurship and connecting them to the local resources and leaders in order to spark their own passions. These visions were combined to launch YEM in partnership with New Roots Charter School in 2017.
YEM in the news...
2017 Ithaca Times: Spurring innovation in Ithaca’s young entrepreneurs
2018 Ithaca Journal: Young entrepreneurs to sell their wares at Youth Entrepreneurship Market Saturday
2020 Lansing Star: Youth Entrepreneurship Training Program Kicks Off
2021 Ithaca Times: Ithaca’s Youth Entrepreneurship Market (YEM) Returns to the Commons on June 26
2021 Ithaca Voice: Yay for YEM! Ithaca’s Youth Entrepreneurship Market (YEM) returns to the Commons on June 26
2021 Ithaca Times: High school freshman reaches agreement to sell jewelry at 15 Steps Craft and Jewelry Store on the Commons
2022 Ithaca Times: Winners of Ithaca's chili cook-off announced
2022 14850.com: Winner of youth “Fish Tank” competition proposes “Colombian street food with a cause”
2022 WENY News: ITHACA'S YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP MARKET STUDENTS SELL GOODS AT ITHACA FARMERS MARKET
2022 Ithaca Times: Santa Coming to Downtown Ithaca this Saturday
2024 14850.com: Winner of this year’s youth “Fish Tank” competition promotes products from reusable and recycled materials
Ethan has worked in the online health information field as a co-founder of Vertical Health for nearly 10 years until its acquisition by Remedy Health Media in 2019. His work has been primarily focused on business development, marketing and revenue growth. In a volunteer capacity, Ethan has served on a range of non-profit boards including the Tompkins County Tourism Board, and chair of the Agritourism Task force, responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan for agriculture and food/beverage-based tourism initiatives for the Finger Lakes Region. Ethan currently sits on multiple boards and/or development committees including State Theater of Ithaca, Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming, and Planned Parenthood.
Michael is a 4th generation Ithacan with deep local roots dating back to the early 1900s, when his family immigrated from Italy and opened several local businesses, including an Italian bakery that would eventually grow into the Ithaca Bakery we all know today.
After spending nearly twenty years living, studying, and working in Vermont and California, Michael returned to Ithaca in 2009 with his wife and two daughters to enjoy the quality of life in the Finger Lakes. Since then, he’s played an active role in the community, co-founding the Ithaca Reggae Fest (dedicated to protecting Cayuga Lake), leading community engagement initiatives at New Roots Charter School, and co-founding YEM (designed to empower local youth to grow their confidence and creative potential).
Alongside his community work, Michael also serves as a Design Consultant at Renewal by Andersen. He approaches that role with the same creative thinking, curiosity, and commitment to people that shape his work with YEM and the wider Ithaca community.
