A 17-YEAR-old Dublin man who makes wooden lamps was recently in New York representing Ireland at a National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) competition, an organization which prevents at risk young people from disadvantaged communities from quitting and teaches entrepreneurship to them both in and out of school.Glen Doyle, who lives in Harold's Cross in Dublin, proudly traveled to New York earlier this month to attend the annual international competition, which was held at the New York Marriott Marquis on Broadway. Doyle, who was accompanied by his mother Janet, told the Irish Voice he "couldn't believe it" but "he was over the moon" when he was chosen to represent his country in such a prestigious competition.Each year, the NFTE bring students from all over the world together to compete in various entrepreneurial categories including Entrepreneur of the Year, Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Plan of the Year, merit awards, presentation skill, planning, innovation and sales and marketing. Doyle was representing Ireland for his innovative business plan, which comprised of making and selling one of a kind lamps.Doyle left school when he was 15 after completing his Junior Certificate. "I just didn't like school but I knew I loved things to do with art," he says.When an opportunity cropped up for Doyle to join a NFTE Youthreach program he accepted. It was only a matter of days before Doyle realized his potential. "I never did woodwork before but I loved it the minute I started doing it," he said.After making several pieces of furniture for his family home in Dublin, Doyle decided to branch out and he began creating one of a kind lamps. Seeing his potential, his woodwork teacher recommended he apply for the NFTE competition. After various heats in Ireland, Doyle was chosen to present his business plan for selling his lamps to a panel of three judges from business, entrepreneurial and educational communities in New York. "I am so proud of myself. To think that I can achieve something like this is great. It gives me great hope for the future and someday I'd like to have my own successful company making my lamps," he said.Doyle, who said he wanted to come up with a unique business idea, surfed the Internet for ideas on various designs so he could create one of a kind lamps that would carry his distinctive signature. "Someday I also hope to have my own website that will display all my work," he said.Doyle said that at the moment all his designs are the same, but the way he varnishes them is what sets them apart from each other. Using ash to make the lamps, Doyle is selling each one for *80 a piece. Following in the footsteps of his uncle, who has his own picture framing company, Doyle hopes to one day set up his own shop so he can continue to make the lamps. At the moment, the young entrepreneur displays his handiwork at his uncle's workshop along with his business cards.The teenager said that NFTE was the best thing to ever happen him. "NFTE (pronounced neftee) is so great for many young people who leave school. There are so many courses available to everyone from catering to hairdressing and of course woodwork and they are just some," he said. "NFTE really gives us a chance to see that we can do it ourselves, that we can become something if we want to and I'm so grateful that I have had this brilliant opportunity," said Doyle, who will continue with the Youthreach program for another year and a half.Doyle said that there is nothing better than the feeling he gets when someone orders or buys one of his lamps. "I just hope it continues and my business will grow into a big one," he says.