Many people will work for a small business at some point in their career. According to from the Chamber of Commerce, roughly 46% of U.S. employees work for small businesses. Are your students ready to join them?
They don’t need to wait until they graduate to practice their business management skills. You can put them in the driver’s seat, running a real business while in school.
Danya Peters, a marketing and business teacher from Idaho, has successfully launched two student-run enterprises at her school. Find out how she’s created real businesses that prepare her students for their future careers while also building confidence and essential life skills.
Landing their (class) dream job
Danya runs two businesses with her students: the Bruin Pop Shop, a beverage and snack kiosk during lunch, and Blueprints, a screen-printing operation that creates apparel, stickers, and banners for school groups and community organizations. To make sure students are getting valuable, real-world experience, she’s set up these companies using a traditional business structure. This means that anyone who wants to work in the company needs to apply for the job.
"All my students have to submit a resume, a cover letter, and then go through a formal interview,” said Danya. “Based on their applications and interviews, I put them into different departments and assign manager and employee roles." Danya’s approach allows students to practice real-world communication and interview skills in a safe environment. Plus, it helps her understand their interests and get them engaged early.
Just like any real-world business, Danya’s organized her companies into different departments: marketing, operations, HR, and accounting. Students clock-in for shifts, complete weekly tasks, and are held accountable by their department managers, creating a genuine workplace experience within the school environment.
Let them lead
In a traditional classroom, you’re always checking in with students, keeping them on track. But in a real-world business, the boss won’t be sitting over their shoulder making sure work gets done. Danya’s adopted the hands-off approach in her classroom management style. Rather than micromanaging every decision, she positions herself as a mentor and CEO, giving students full ownership of the business operations.
"My students are in charge of everything," she noted. "Anything that they want to accomplish, they have to do. I guide and coach and check in, of course, but the students make all the decisions."
And Danya’s seen the difference in their development and progress. They have better communication skills, manage their time more effectively, and are more financially literate. They’ve also learned how to handle customers, manage their inventory, and resolve conflicts.
In fact, Blueprints is so successful that they’ve had to turn away requests from the community due to high demand. And just like Dayna’s students, yours don’t need a micromanager. They need you to step back and let them show you what they’re capable of.
A confidence (and budget) boost
Not only have her students’ skills grown, Danya’s seen their confidence increase as well. "I think the biggest difference I’ve noticed in my students is their confidence in themselves," she reflected. "I have a lot of kids who come into my classroom shy and unsure. They're terrified of making a mistake. By the end of the course, they're confident in their skills and their ability to make adjustments when mistakes happen."
This increased confidence has helped The Bruin Pop Shop and Blueprints become even more successful. More success in these businesses has meant more money for Danya’s students. All the profits are reinvested into equipment, materials, student activities, and scholarships. Students see that the work they’re doing benefits them and future students.
Where to begin?
Already convinced? Ready to start your own school business? Danya’s best advice: "Start small and let students lead." Set your students up for success and empower them to lead. Create powerful learning experiences that prepare them for success in their future careers. Give them the confidence and skills they’ll need as tomorrow’s business leaders.
Ready to learn more from Danya? Check out her full CERTIFIED Podcast episode . Keep up the business momentum, and turn today’s students into tomorrow’s business leaders with the Entrepreneurship and Small Business certification. Get all the details here.