Meet Niecko.

When Fynniecko Glover, Jr. lost his job as an electrician, he found himself at a turning point. Growing up in South Seattle and working with youth, he knew many in the Southend struggled to find jobs.   

He knew that he no longer wanted to work for someone, he wanted to work for himself - so, he launched Sprout.   

Sprout is a business that links community organizations and companies in King County with youth looking for internships, scholarships, jobs, volunteer opportunities and events.   

“I am in business because I want to make a difference in others' lives,” Fynniecko says, “and I want to take control of my life. I want to create a legacy for my family and impact others in my community to do the same and follow their dreams.”   

He knew kids who saw their future only through the lens of entertainment or sports, or others who got into trouble and went to jail or died.   

Fynniecko hopes that Sprout will help primarily students of color, disrupt the school to prison pipeline, and help students see opportunity and develop goals while in high school by leveraging technology or skill.   But how do you start with no experience, contacts or access to capital – all challenges that disproportionately more difficult people and neighborhoods of color to hurdle.   

He drew inspiration from community figures like K. Wyking Garrett, and Jenefeness Tucker - but it was involvement with Urban Impact’s Sharks at the Beach economic development initiative that helped him develop a structure and well-rounded business plan.   

Most impactful was a financial session with Urban Impact COO B.J. Stewart, Fynniecko said. There he got practical advice on how he was managing expenses, how to pay himself and employees, insurance and salary structure.   

Full of passion and confidence, Fynniecko and his business partner A.J. Nito, have big plans for Sprout to be a key community linchpin for youth pursuing their dreams as he is pursuing his.   

“I want to create generational wealth,” Fynniecko said, “I want to create a platform for youth because they are the next generation and guide them to turn their passion into profit.”   

Goal number one is the help 10,000 youth in the King county area find jobs, internships, volunteer, scholarship opportunities. In years to come, he wants to scale the business to a national scope eventually reaching a million youth.